The History: The winds were light again today. Unable to practice gliding in the 1902 machine, Wilbur and Orville continued to construct the 1903 Flyer. They worked on the trusses for the skids and the frame for the tail.

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