In Depth: The Propeller
overview research materials and methods performance use
The Challenge:

Gather as much original data about the propellers as possible.

Only three primary sources about the Wright propellers are available: existing original propellers, surviving notes, and original drawings. In every case, the evidence was fragmented, and would have to be pieced together to form a complete technical description of each propeller.

The Wright Story: Background
Education Feature: The Secret of the Old Prop on the Den Wall
The Wright Experience at Work: Research

The Wright Experience Team gathered as much evidence as possible from artifacts, notes, and drawings. Each type had its benefits and drawbacks. Only when used together could an accurate picture be drawn.

1903 prop hub
magnify 		1904 and 1903 artifacts
magnify 		inspection of the 1903 prop
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scanning of the 1903 prop
magnify 		scanning of the 1903 prop
magnify 		1903 prop model
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Video - 132K
ARTIFACTS: Generous loans of original propellers (from Marianne Hudec of the Wright family and the National Park Service) made it possible to conduct detailed studies of the propellers in unprecedented detail. Using sophisticated scanning technology in collaboration with Direct Dimensions, Inc. the team made precise three-dimensional measurements of the propellers. These yielded digital models that could be checked against the Wrights' notes and drawings.
Wright prop notes
magnify 		1908 Wilbur Wright letter
magnify 		wright notes
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NOTES: The Wrights calculated the shapes of their propellers in meticulous detail, leading to working plans suitable for carving. Though the complete written record no longer exists, the suriving notes served as valuable guideposts in reviewing the data made from the 3D scans.
Wright prop drawing
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DRAWINGS: Detailed drawings existed only for the 1911 propeller, and were made in the Wright factory as shop plans for manufacturing the propellers in production.
©2001, The Wright Experience™

Credits