Summary

The Aero Club of American and the U.S. Congress both planned to award medals to the Wright brothers upon their return to the states. Dayton was planning a huge celebration. The New York Times reported that a dozen airplane manufacturing companies had sprung up in France. The Wright brothers had launched a whole new industry. With his commitments fulfilled in Paris, Wilbur packed up his equipment and he and Hart Berg headed for Rome. Katharine and Orville followed a week later. In Rome, Wilbur stayed near the test field called Centocelle. Rome was a huge success; Wilbur flew more than fifty successful flights without a hitch. He trained several Italian military officers to pilot the plane. Just as in Paris, large crowds gathered and watched in amazement. Among the crowd were the famous and elite including American businessman J. P. Morgan...