SERIES 5: LE MANS, FRANCE, 1908, 1918
Scope and Contents
Wilbur Wright traveled to Le Mans, France, in May 1908. He spent June and July assembling a 1907 model Wright Flyer which had been shipped to France the previous year. This Flyer was based on the design of the modified 1905 Wright Flyer and was equipped with two seats and a stick to control wing warping, instead of the old hip cradle. This design subsequently became known as the Wright Model A.
Wilbur was offered space to work in the automobile factory of Léon Bollée. On August 8, 1908 he made his first European flight consisting of two rounds over the Hunaudières race course south of Le Mans. Seeking a larger, and less obstructed flying field, Wilbur moved his demonstrations to Camp d’Auvours, an artillery range east of Le Mans. His demonstration flights, which set many world records, continued at Camp d’Auvours until December 31, 1908.
Dates
- Creation: 1908, 1918
Creator
- From the Collection: Wright, Wilbur, 1867-1912 (Person)
- From the Collection: Wright family (Family)
Language of Materials
The records are in English, French, German and Italian
Restrictions on Access
Due to preservation concerns, original audio and video recordings in the collection cannot be played in the reading room. Patrons may have access to reference copies. Items without reference copies can be digitized at the request of a patron for the cost of creating a digital copy. Please provide us at least two weeks advance notice if you would like to request an audio or video reference copy. Call (937) 775-2092 or e-mail us at library-archives-ref@wright.edu. Use of digitized content is subject to conditions governing use.
To reduce stress on the original photographs, photo albums, newspapers, Wright Family School Items, and Milton Wright Diaries, patrons are asked to first use digital copies, in place of the originals. The digitized items are available online in CORE SCHOLAR at https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/special_ms1/.
Extent
From the Collection: 38.75 linear feet (and 203 volumes)
Physical Description
Unless otherwise noted all prints are early 5 x 7 inch photographs.
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections Repository
Wright State University Libraries
Special Collections and Archives
3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy
Dayton OH 45435-0001 USA
937-775-2092
library-archives@wright.edu
