Conquering the sky : the secret flights of the Wright brothers at Kitty Hawk / Larry E. Tise.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

To Old Point Comfort -- Return to the soaring place -- Of swaggerers and scribes -- Mixed messages from Manteo -- The seventh day in May -- Aftermath : the elusive Wrights -- The brothers Wright on separate shores -- The world aloft -- The verdict on secretiveness.

Despite their great achievements following their first powered flights in 1903, Wilbur and Orville Wright still enjoyed virtual anonymity until 1908. In seven crucial days in May of that year, however, the eyes of the world were suddenly cast upon them as they sought lucrative government contracts for their flying technology and then had to prove the capabilities of their machines. In these pivotal moments, the brothers were catapulted into unwanted worldwide fame as the international press discovered and followed their covert flight tests, and reported their every move using rudimentary telegraphs and early forms of photography. From the brothers rise to fame;on the historic Outer Banks, to the quickly expanding role of the world press and the flights repercussions in war and military technology, Tise weaves a fascinating tale of a key turning point in the history of flight.