First in Flight?

Here is one of the better articles written about the Wright Brothers and the Gustave Whitehead argument.  http://nation.time.com/2013/11/23/the-unlikely-fight-over-first-in-flight/

John Brown has a curious argument that Whitehead was the first to fly because from the picture he uses as evidence it seems like his argument does not have much of a basis to it. The pictures, located in the article, are blown up by 3,200% and it still does not give a good view of the plane. They are fuzzy and make the images indistinguishable.  The other evidence he gives is witnesses of event whose testimonies are contested, some claiming they were paid to say Gustave flew first.

I think though that the most glaring evidence against his case is more of an unspoken one. Why, if Whitehead supposedly flew two years before the Wrights, why didn't he publicize his flights or gain more attention. I believe the absence of this and with the other evidence of recanted witness stories and the very blurry image, they can be used as proof that Whitehead did not fly first. These arguments against the Wright Brothers have arisen before and photographic evidence and true witness testimonies have proven that the Wrights were the first to fly.

I do hope that one day, if the Wrights first in flight is ever dis-proven, that the city of Dayton and everyone that loves aviation history will gracefully accept this change and celebrate those who made flight possible. It is sad that this act in history has become so politicized  with states passing bills to claim first in flight. This moment in history should be celebrated as more than just a place, but as an event that revolutionized the world and I hope that one day this will die down and all the men and women who helped along the way to establish flight will be honored. It was through the hard work of themselves and of others before them that the Wright Brothers were able to accomplish their goal of flight.

Check out the photos and decide who you think was really first in flight.