The History: It rained and the winds were strong during the night. During the day the winds were 25-40 miles/hour; by 7 PM the wind was blowing at 45 miles/hour. The air was damp and cold.

They continued to assemble the new machine. They added the uprights (the posts between the two upper and lower wing surfaces) and trussed the center. [Wires were stretched diagonally between the upper and lower surfaces to act like trusses.] For some reason the truss wires they made while they were in Dayton did not fit.

Below is a picture of Orville Wright flying the 1902 glider just above the sand at Big Hill. Do you see the uprights?

Orville Wright Flying In the 1902 Glider

Trusses are used to form a rigid framework. Trusses are a network of beams, wires or other materials which support, strengthen or stiffen a structure. Trusses are used in roofs, bridges and were used on the Wright's flying machines. Since the Wrights used thin wires for their trusses, the wires are difficult to see.

Here is a truss on a bridge. It is constructed from beams.

Truss Bridge Worcester, UK Photo Courtesy Dr. Derek Locke, Bridge Building (http://www.brantacan.co.uk/bridges.htm)

Here is a photograph of one of our Wright Again glider models. Do you see the wires? What do you think the glider's wings would look like without the wires? How do you think the glider would behave without those trusses?

Wire Trusses