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Collection: Wright Brothers Collection: 1897-1928

Among the materials the Wright Brothers estate gave the Library of Congress in 1948 were 300 glass plate negatives and two nitrate negatives, most taken by the Wright brothers themselves between 1897 and 1928. About 200 views from 1900 to 1911 document their successes and failures with their new flying machines. The collection provides an excellent pictorial record of the Wright brothers laboratory, engines, models, experimental planes, runways, flights, and even their accidents. The collection also contains individual portraits and group pictures of the Wright brothers and their family and friends, as well as photos of their homes, other buildings, towns, and landscapes.

135 photos

Herbert Wright, nephew of Wilbur and Orville, son of Reuchlin Wright, age eight

Reuchlin Wright, brother of Wilbur and Orville, age 40, head and shoulders

Leontine Wright, niece of Wilbur and Orville, daughter of Lorin Wright, age one year

Leontine Wright, niece of Wilbur and Orville, daughter of Lorin Wright, age one year

Clarence "Grandpa" Liv and Alonzo "Teddy" Tucker behind the Wright Cycle Company

Clarence "Grandpa" Liv and Alonzo "Teddy" Tucker behind the Wright Cycle Company

Daniel Henderson, neighbor, in front of Wright home at 7 Hawthorn Street, Dayton, Ohio

Milton Wright, nephew of Wilbur and Orville, son of Lorin, approximately age nine, sic, copy photograph

Carrie Kayler, Belle Kayler, and Clo Barnes, December 31, 1900

Oberlin College, class of 1898

Nine of the ten Dayton boys

Lorin Wright pulling his daughter Leontine, age three, on a sled

Milton Wright, Ivonette Wright, and Leontine Wright seated on sled

Banquet of the wives of the "Ten Annuals"

Christmas tree in the Wright home, 7 Hawthorn Street, Dayton, Ohio

Wilbur Wright at Pinnacles

The Narrows

Wilbur Wright on road near the Narrows

Bridge back of Pinnacles

Wolf Creek flood

Side view of 7 Hawthorn Street, the Wright family home, taken from rear

Covered bridge at Shoup's Mill, near Dayton, Ohio

Orville Wright and group around a table, looking at photographs, during a party at 7 Hawthorn Street

Front view of 7 Hawthorn Street, the Wright home, with bare trees and a bicycle resting by the right gate of the front fence, about 1900