The World Recognizes the Wright Brothers as the Inventors of the Airplane. Brazilians Think Otherwise

On Dec. 17, 1903, American brothers Wilbur and Orville Wright achieved something that seemed unheard of at the time: the first successful flight of a heavier-than-air aircraft. The controlled flight lasted just 12 seconds and traveled a distance of 180 feet. The Wright brothers had changed the world of aviation forever and etched their names in world history.

A longstanding rivalry. While most of the world recognizes the Wright brothers’ achievement, many in Brazil continue to believe that Alberto Santos Dumont was the true pioneer. They argue Santos Dumont accomplished the first real flight in 1906 with his 14-Bis aircraft. Unlike the Wright’s airplane, the 14-Bis took off autonomously and without mechanical assistance. The Brazilian biplane soared before judges and journalists in Paris, without the aid of catapults or favorable winds. Santos Dumont supporters labeled him the genuine “father of aviation.”

The Washington Post recently reported that this perspective has become deeply entrenched in Brazilian culture. Notably, Santos Dumont’s image has appeared on banknotes. One of Rio de Janeiro’s main airports carries his name. Additionally, he was celebrated during the opening ceremony of the 2016 Olympic Games.

The Brazilian evidence. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has passionately revived the debate, often taking opportunities to discredit the U.S. narrative while advocating for Santos Dumont’s legacy. Lula argues that the U.S. has imposed its viewpoint through its powerful film industry, and claims that denying Brazil’s contributions is an affront to history and national pride.

Lula and other defenders of Santos Dumont believe to have strong arguments. They say that the Wright brothers’ Flyer relied on catapults, constant wind, and auxiliary structures. In contrast, Santos Dumont’s 14-Bis took off on its own, successfully flying 720 feet in front of an audience and the international press.

Santos Dumont’s 14-Bis biplane.

Technical debate. What do the experts say? Historians and aviation specialists outside Brazil believe it’s irrefutable that the Wright brothers achieved flight before Santos Dumont. For instance, Peter Jakab, an emeritus curator at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, argues that the use of catapults doesn’t detract from this accomplishment. He compares it to modern fighter jets that take off from aircraft carriers using catapults without anyone questioning their ability to fly.

Other experts highlight that in 1905, the Wright brothers’ Flyer III performed sustained flights lasting up to 40 minutes over distances of 24.2 miles. This would demonstrate a far more advanced capability than Santos Dumont’s 14-Bis.

In contrast, many Brazilians claim that the critical detail isn’t flight duration but rather the method of takeoff. Santos Dumont did so without external assistance and in front of witnesses.

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National pride. This debate has transcended technicalities, evolving into a matter of national identity for both Brazil and the U.S. For Brazilians, Santos Dumont symbolizes not only a technological achievement but also national talent and patriotic pride. His legacy extends beyond aviation. He’s remembered for his contributions to the development of dirigible balloons, but also for his simplicity. Additionally, many in Brazil know him for his staunch opposition to the military use of airplanes.

In Brazil, Santos Dumont is revered more as a cultural hero than a mere historical figure. Meanwhile, in the U.S., the story of the Wright brothers is part of the foundational narrative of the modern technological age.

The dilemma. Historical records tend to favor the Wright brothers. However, this hasn’t halted the ongoing debate, which symbolizes a conflict between two nations with contrasting views on aviation history.

In Petrópolis, Santos Dumont’s hometown in Southeastern Brazil, his legacy endures. His great-nephew, Alberto Dodsworth Wanderley, told The Washington Post that the dispute has become more a matter of belief rather than a verifiable fact. Both sides have emotional and technical arguments to support their positions.

In the end, this is just another example of how nationalism can influence the interpretation of history.

Images | John Daniels | Jules Beau

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