The Wright Cycle Company was a bicycle manufacturing company established by the Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, in Dayton, Ohio, United States in 1892. The company played a significant role in the history of aviation as it served as a precursor to the Wright brothers' successful experimentation with flight.
The Wright Cycle Company primarily focused on manufacturing and selling high-quality bicycles. Their bicycles were renowned for their innovative designs and advanced technology, which made them stand out in the competitive bicycle market of that time. The company offered a range of bicycles that catered to various consumer preferences and needs.
The Wright brothers utilized their bicycle business as a means to fund their aeronautical experiments. They believed that mastering the art of balance and control during cycling was crucial to achieving flight. They conducted experiments and made modifications to their bicycles, incorporating principles that later influenced their aircraft designs.
The Wright Cycle Company also played a role in distributing information about the Wright brothers' aviation developments. They published a variety of materials, such as news articles and catalogs, to share their progress with the public and potential investors.
In 1909, the Wright brothers closed the Wright Cycle Company to focus exclusively on their aviation endeavors. Although the company was short-lived, its legacy lies in its influential impact on the progression of aviation, as the knowledge and experience gained during the bicycle manufacturing years greatly contributed to the invention of the world's first successful airplane.
