Talk About Overlooked

There are many ways to learn something you didn't know. And Jeopardy clues are one of them.

Being of a septuagenarian age I of course have heard of the Wright brothers, Wilbur and Orville who from their bicycle shop in Dayton, Ohio tinkered around enough that they became the first to develop and fly a motorized aircraft, becoming airborne on a flight from the sand dunes of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina in 1903. Thus, North Carolina's license plates that brag: First in Flight.

It is hard to imagine that a Jeopardy clue on December 26, 2023 under the category Destiny's Other Children: $400: Last name of Katherine seen here; [image appears] an educator & suffragist, she became a celebrity like her two brothers that no one would answer Wright when seeing the image. To me, the mind boggles, but then again, my history lessons started sometime in the 1950s. The $400 value of the clue was itself a clue that the answer should be obvious. I guess not.

Okay, I never heard about the sister, but that's because woman of the early 20th-century were not much paid attention to, unless they accompany their brothers to France and speak French, charming the press and citizens of France. I would have at least gotten the answer by looking the photo. And now I have gained some great knowledge about Katherine that she should surely be added to the NYT list of people to get an overdue obituary in the Overlooked No More feature.

ChatGPT tells us: 

The Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, had a younger sister named Katharine Wright. She was born on August 19, 1874, in Dayton, Ohio, and was an important figure in her brothers' lives and their work.

Katharine was supportive of her brothers' aeronautical endeavors, and although she did not participate directly in the mechanical or engineering aspects of their work, she was crucial in other ways. She helped with administrative tasks, correspondence, and even occasionally acted as a secretary or assistant. After their father's death in 1917, Katharine played a significant role in managing the family’s affairs and their business interests, including working as a spokeswoman for the Wright brothers' achievements.

Katharine Wright was also well-educated, having attended Oberlin College, and was highly regarded for her intelligence and independence. She lived a long life, passing away on March 3, 1929

Typical of the female in the family that when the mother dies she become the domestic. And this was certainly true for Katherine. Despite her college education at Oberlin and her teaching position she acted as the chief cook, bottle washer, road and business manager for the brothers.

Katherine was the youngest of the seven children of Milton and Susan Wright. Her father was a Baptist preacher, and her mother was college educated.

Katherine nursed Orville back to health after a test flight crashed and a co-pilot was killed. She accompanied the brothers on their tour of France and charmed the press and public. The brothers, being shy,  were not well received. But she was charming, spoke French and otherwise was the best PR "man" the brothers could have asked for. Many in France thought she was the real brains behind the brothers.

And while the brothers were shy, she wasn't. She met with the kings and leaders of France, Italy, Spain and England when they toured Europe promoting the plane and the company. Her brothers and her were awarded the French Legion of Honor. She negotiated the contracts for building the planes.

She was likely the first woman to fly in a plane, accompanying Orville on at least three test flights in 1909.

Wilbur and Orville were confirmed bachelors, and apparently Orville resented the sister for marrying and raising a family. He eventually ceased talking to her. 

But while they were on good terms, Orville said of his sister: "When the world speaks of the Wrights it should include my sister. Much of our efforts have been inspired by her."

Katherine has ticked all the boxes for "'Overlooked No More" consideration. And while I doubt the U.S. Postal Service will issue a commemorative stamp in her honor at this point, she should make the short list for the next round of NYT "Overlooked No More" obits.

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