Wrights v Curtiss: The Patent Wars

Location: Forum Stage 3

Presenter: Russell Klingaman

After their historic flights at Kitty Hawk, the Wrights were granted a patent on their 1902 glider. When Curtiss started flying, the Wrights sued him and others for patent infringement. I have conducted extensive research on the Wrights' Flying Machine patent and how they enforced it through lawsuits between 1909 and the start of World War I. The story is a fascinating look at one of the nation's most significant patent cases, and its impact on world history.