April 16: Birthday of Wilbur Wright (1867)
Prayer Idea
Pray for siblings to find ways to support each other and work together.
History Note
Milton Wright and Susan Koerner both grew up on the frontier in Indiana. Both came from families who encouraged their children to pursue knowledge. Milton and Susan married in 1859, and they brought a passion for faith and education into their family.
The Wrights had seven children. Reuchlin was born in 1861 and Lorin in 1862. Wilbur came along in 1867. Twins Otis and Ida were born in 1870, but they died as infants. Orville was born in 1871 and Katharine in 1874.
While the Wright children were growing up, their mother made toys for her children and simple appliances to use in their home. In 1878 Milton Wright brought a present home for his children: a toy Pénaud helicopter powered by a rubber band. A Frenchman who had experimented with aviation was the toy’s designer. The toy soon broke, but Wilbur and Orville made their own copies of it. Whenever they needed help with a project like this, they asked their mother for advice and for answers to mechanical questions.
The Wright home was a happy one. Katharine said, “No family ever had a happier childhood than ours. I was always in a hurry to get home after I had been away half a day.” Susan Wright died of tuberculosis in 1889. Katharine was 15. She became the household manager for her father, Milton, and brothers Wilbur and Orville, who still lived at home.
Wilbur and Orville made history by building and demonstrating a powered, controlled, heavier-than-air airplane in 1903. Katherine played an important role in supporting and assisting her brothers in their endeavors for many years.
Wilbur Wright died in 1912, Katharine in 1929, and Orville in 1948.
This 1909 photo shows Wilbur Wright preparing to take his sister Katharine up for her first flight in France. Orville Wright stands at left.
Learn More
In this video, author David McCullough talks about Katharine Wright’s relationship with her brothers.
Explore more resources at Homeschool History.
