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In Brazil, pretty much no one acknowledges the Wright brothers invented the airplane. Most say it was Santos Dumont who did. Was that really the case?I’m not a professional historian, but I have been an airplane nut since I was knee-high to a grasshopper. And I am a trained investigator, as both a lawyer and a cultural anthropologist, as well as an avid fan of aviation history.Here’s the truth.First of all, nearly EVERY process, and EVERY invention, builds upon discoveries and concepts that preceded it. That’s just how it works — innovators are always standing on the shoulders of giants who went before.It’s also true that, in an atmosphere where certain facts are widely known and certain theories and scientific interests have wide circulation worldwide, independent discovery or invention may occur at widely separated places, at nearly the same time, by investigators working toward the same goal from approximately the same starting place.Newton and Leibnitz independently invented calculus at nearly the same time, for instance. And Darwin did not invent the idea of evolution; other researchers had already made evolution the default paradigm for understanding natural diversity and all Darwin did when he added his two cents to the mix was come up with the idea of “natural selection” as the mechanism driving evolution, and he didn’t publish his idea until Wallace independently conceived the same idea on the other side of the world.Now, BOTH the Wright Brothers, and Alberto Santos-Dumont, and many other aeronautical experimenters — including the already-famous and already-rich “inventor” of the telephone, Alexander Graham Bell, and the director of the Smithsonian Institution, Samuel Pierpont Langley (what is it with the middle names of these patricians, eh? But that’s a different thread) — were trying to figure out how to make a practical, controllable, useful human-carrying, powered, heavier-than-air flying machine.I include all those qualifiers because they are important. It’s not just a simple matter of who “invented the airplane.”Even putting aside the Renaissance and Classical-period advances in aeronautical understanding and design that other answers discuss — none of which came anywhere close to developing a successful, human-carrying, powered flying machine of any kind, so I won’t belabor them — there WERE many successful precursors to both the Wright Brothers and Santos-Dumont.The Montgolfier brothers, for instance, had invented a successful, human-carrying flying machine back in the 18th century. But it wasn’t HEAVIER-THAN-AIR — it was a hot-air balloon. And it wasn’t POWERED — it would only be carried wherever the winds would take it. And it wasn’t CONTROLLABLE in all respects — the pilot had ways to make it GO UP or GO DOWN but could not directly control its horizontal motion OR, for that matter, any rolling motions.See the point? Each of these elements also had to be developed separately.LOTS of inquisitive people were working on these issues in the 1890s and early 19-oughts.Pioneers like Octave Chanute (who advised the Wright Brothers) and Otto Lilienthal later developed successful, heavier-than-air, somewhat-controllable, human-carrying gliders by the 1890sLike modern “hang gliders,” the Chanute and Lilienthal efforts achieved stability by having the center of weight of the wing-occupant combination be below the center of lift — i.e. the rider hangs below the wings — and achieved pitch and roll control by shifting the rider’s weight.But they were not powered, and they were only moderately controllable, because nobody had figured out yet that airplanes operate in three dimensions and thus need to be controllable in all three at once.In France, in the 1890s, an engineer named Clement Ader had put a powerful steam engine in a flying machine equipped with wings patterned on those of a bat, and reportedly did succeed in getting it off the ground for short hops. But Ader’s “Eole” was not capable of sustained, or controlled, flight.FLYING MACHINES - Clement AderThen, pioneers like Langley (and his skilled engine-maker and pilot, Charles Manley) developed successful, SMALL-scale (non-human-carrying) powered flying models, which flew brilliantly, and Manley did develop a powerful, light gasoline (petrol) engine capable of powering a man-carrying plane. But when the brilliant Professor Langley tried to scale that up to full size, and launch it in front of the world’s press in mid-1903, their resulting “aerodrome” crashed ignominiously in the Potomac River. People laughed at the very idea that human-carrying, heavier-than-air flying machines could ever succeed.Langley Aerodrome - WikipediaMeanwhile, lighter-than-air flying machines were not holding still. Mr. Santos-Dumont actually did invent one of the earliest, if not the earliest, controllable lighter-than-air craft, a dirigible. (The word “dirigible” means “capable of being directed.”) Santos-Dumont, a wealthy adventurer and tinkerer of Brazilian heritage, became famous beginning in the 1890s for flying around in public displays in his various dirigible designs.Santos-Dumont AirshipsSee also:Alberto Santos-Dumont - WikipediaI will not re-iterate the entire Wright Brothers story, which has been told well in many readily-available sources; but the point to remember here is that they were the first ones to realize BOTH (A) that roll control (in addition to pitch control up-down, and yaw control right-left, was necessary to keep an airplane stable for any length of travel, and ALSO (B) that roll control was the way airplanes (and birds) actually turn. They came up with the idea of twisting the wings — exactly as birds and bats do — through cables and pulleys, controllable by the pilot. That, together with the vertical “rudders” and horizontal “elevators” that other inventors had already come up with, gave the Wrights’ airplanes full three-axis control.Wright Flyer - WikipediaBack to Santos-Dumont. He was already both rich and famous and prone to giving public exhibitions. He put together all the known elements of proven aircraft design into a plane he called the “14bis:”Santos-Dumont 14-bis - WikipediaHowever, even then, his plane was only controllable in two dimensions, pitch (up and down) and yaw (swinging the nose left or right) and so it “turned” the way an ocean ship does — with its vertical rudder. In lieu of actual roll control, Santos-Dumont’s airplane had its wings built with a steep dihedral angle, resembling many free-flight modern model planes; these upturned wingtips add inherent roll stability to the vehicle as it travels through the air, since any tendency to roll will add lift on the “down” wing and reduce lift on the “up” wing, thus tending to restore the balance.This provided inherent roll stability but did not allow for efficient banked turns. As a result, like other early aircraft before the Wright’s roll control invention was adopted, it was difficult and slow to turn— AND difficult or near-impossible to restore to an upright configuration in the event a roll (induced by a gust of wind, or whatever) exceeded the inherent, fixed stability of the wing dihedral. NOT a good thing, safety-wise, in a plane meant not just for quick demonstration hops in calm winds, but for actually travelling from point A to point B across varying weather and terrain.In 1906, Santos-Dumont put on an exhibition in France in his 14bis, a heavier-than-air, powered airplane he had designed. This was the first time in history that anybody had successfully flown a powered, heavier-than-air, human-carrying aircraft any significant distance (as opposed to the short hops of Ader’s Eole), in public. As a result, Santos-Dumont was widely hailed by the world press as the “inventor” of the powered, controllable, human-carrying airplane. It was in fact the first powered, heavier-than-air, human-carrying flight to be certified by the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI), which is still the certifying body for official “world records” in the aviation field.But they were wrong to call Santos-Dumont the first to succeed. Leery of the consequences of public failure such as that experienced by Langley after the Aerodrome crashed into the Potomac, the Wrights — a pair of bicycle-makers from Dayton, Ohio — carried out their aerial experiments in secret, at a remote location — the dunes of the Atlantic barrier island on the Outer Banks near the town of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, beginning in 1900. They started with gliders, based on Chanute and Lilienthal ideas, then by 1902 they added the 3-axis control system the Wrights had developed themselves, and, finally, by December, 1903, they added a lightweight, gasoline-powered engine (also of their own design) to their “Flyer” and tried it out, successfully, in multiple flights at Kitty Hawk. THAT fully controllable, powered, heavier-than-air, human-carrying flight was the first of its kind in history.But NOBODY KNEW ABOUT IT yet. Though the Wrights telegraphed their success to their father back in Dayton and asked him to announce it to the press — stop and think for a minute. Two amateur experimenters from a small Midwest town, complete unknowns with no institutional affiliation, succeeded in inventing heavier-than-air flight when the Director of the Smithsonian Institution, the most prestigious scientific establishment in the USA (and one of the top in the world) at the time, had failed? As had Dr. Bell, the high-tech entrepreneur telephone magnate, despite the vast resources (and ingenuity) he had at his command? People laughed. And then, when Santos-Dumont came along and flew in a public exhibition with grand hoopla and self-promotion, he got the credit (FOR A WHILE) for being first.The world heard rumors of the Wrights’ developments, of course, but the brothers were still secretive until they had developed the controllability, endurance, and practicality of their invention to a higher degree. In 1908, the Wrights finally put on a public exhibition of their Flyer, at an international aviation fair in LeMans, France. Santos-Dumont was there as well, along with other pioneer aviators who had flown by then, including Henri Farman and the Voisins and others. The long and short of it is, the Wright machine was the only one that had developed full three-axis controls, and it flew rings around the other entries. The aeronautical thinkers of the day readily admitted how superior the Wright machine was to all the others. And, yes, the Wright machine had in fact flown before any of the others.1908: The Year the Airplane Went PublicSee also:Michael Jacobs's answer to How did the Wright brothers' airplane work?Michael Jacobs's answer to What was the second airplane produced after the Wright Flyer?So, Santos-Dumont was a great aviation pioneer. And, Brazil is rightly proud of their native son. But he did not in fact invent the first successful heavier-than-air, powered, fully-controllable, human-carrying aircraft. That goes to the Wrights.Thanks for the A2A.

1. Newport, Rhode IslandJOHN GREIM/LIGHTROCKET VIA GETTY IMAGESJust about three hours from New York and about half that drive time from Boston, Newport is the ideal place to enjoy sea breezes, beach days, ocean views, and just being outdoors. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely walk, a bike ride, or a challenging hike, you’ll find your perfect trail in Newport. The famed Cliff Walk, Audubon Nature Center, and East Bay Bike Path are just a few of the options. For a change of scenery from the beach or walking paths, visitors can tour historic mansions built by the country’s wealthiest families in the late 19th century. Take a boat tour of Newport Harbor to learn about its history and enjoy cool ocean air at the same time, or browse the artisan shops and casual eateries in the Broadway District.Deciding where to stay will be part of the fun, and you’ll find many lodging options including The Wayfinder Hotel, just opened with an extensive collection of local art. The historic Hotel Viking, set atop Newport’s Historic Hill neighborhood, offers renovated guest rooms and a rooftop bar with 360-degree ocean views. The luxury boutique Chanler at Cliff Walk, once a New York congressman’s family retreat, features 20 uniquely-designed rooms with a vintage atmosphere. Surrounded by Narragansett Bay, Gurney’s Newport Resort & Marina is just minutes from downtown Newport. The Vanderbilt, dating to 1909, is a meticulously restored Newport mansion.2. Reno and Lake Tahoe, NevadaGETTY IMAGESCombining these two destinations is a great way to visit the largest alpine lake in North America and the Biggest Little City in the World. Reno officially adopted the slogan in 1929 and proudly displays it on a street-spanning sign downtown. Visitors will also notice Reno’s public art, from murals to the 70-foot-wide “BELIEVE” and life-sized “Space Whale.” Art lovers will want to explore The Nevada Museum of Art and for car fans, the National Automobile Museum is a must-visit. Gaming casinos, concert venues, breweries, and bars provide lots to do at night. Stay in The Jesse, a six-room boutique hotel or Whitney Peak Hotel in the center of downtown.Just an hour or so to the south is Lake Tahoe, split almost down the middle between California and Nevada. Crystal blue water surrounded by tall green pines beckons visitors to water sports like kayaking, paddleboarding, jet skiing, or just calmly cruising and enjoying the scenery. Take a scenic gondola ride for panoramic views or relax on a sandy beach. In North Lake Tahoe’s Incline Village, stay at the waterfront Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe with its Grand Lodge Casino, heated pool, and spa. Further south at Stateline, the luxurious Edgewood Tahoe Resort offers rustic elegance, three dining venues, a private beach, and a spa. The Edgewood Tahoe golf course is home to the annual American Century Championship, a celebrity tournament that raises funds for local and national charities, this year scheduled for July 7-12.3. Tulsa, OklahomaWALTER BIBIKOW/GETTY IMAGESOklahoma’s second largest city, Tulsa is warm in summer with temperatures reaching the low 90’s. Set along the Arkansas River, the city offers expansive outdoor spaces like Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area, Tulsa’s River Parks, and The Gathering Place, with nearly 70 acres of free activities spanning the Arkansas River waterfront. The park, just opened in September 2018, includes playgrounds with tunnels, pirate ships, suspended bridges, a Skate Bowl, water sports, trails, and three restaurants. Dogs have parks in Tulsa too, with two Biscuit Acres Bark Parks, each with separate areas for large and small dogs, doggie drinking fountains, and a dog rinse area.Tulsa’s story includes its location on historic Route 66, and a stop at quirky Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios should be on every visitor’s itinerary. Also recalling Tulsa’s Route 66 history, the luxury boutique Campbell Hotel offers rooms inspired by the area’s past, including the Art Deco room, the Route 66 room, and the Lunar Eclipse room. Tulsa is home to art deco buildings dating to the 1920’s boom years of Oklahoma’s oil industry. The Boston Avenue Methodist Church, overlooking Route 66, is a fine example of the style. Tulsa’s Art District’s historic buildings are now home to galleries, theaters, restaurants, and bars. The Philbrook Museum of Art and the Gilcrease Museum are among Tulsa’s many cultural attractions.4. Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Island, FloridaGETTY IMAGESJuly is warm in southwest Florida, ideal for spending lazy days at the beach. Sanibel and Captiva, along with several other barrier islands, are set on Florida’s coast in the Gulf of Mexico. Their location makes them an ideal spot for collecting the seashells that wash up on their shores, including conch, whelk, cockle, scallop, and others. Many visitors travel to the area specifically to gather the shells, which is fine as long as they’re careful not to take any that are still occupied by a live creature. The historic Sanibel Lighthouse (dating back to 1884) is another attraction, and its beacon still glows for the safety of ships in the area.Sightseeing cruises, deep sea fishing expeditions, snorkeling, kayaking, and sailing are other ways to enjoy the warm Gulf waters around the barrier islands. Visitors might even be lucky enough to spot a manatee. These friendly animals enjoy swimming in the warm sea and can be seen in Tarpon Bay during summer. The J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge covers 7,600 acres and serves as home to 51 types of reptiles and amphibians, 32 mammal species, and hundreds of species of birds. Hiking and biking trails, observation towers, a four-mile scenic drive, and nature cruises offer many ways to experience the area’s wildlife. For a taste of Fort Myers history, visit the winter estates of Henry Ford and Thomas Edison to see their homes, laboratory, and museum.5. Barnard, VermontERIKA MITCHELL/GETTY IMAGESFresh mountain air, bright sunshine, nature hikes, and outdoor activities sound better than ever. Barnard, located in the Green Mountains of central Vermont, with history dating pre-Revolutionary War, maintains its charm and small town appeal. Feast and Field Farmers Market hosts a weekly gathering of farmers, artists, educators, and performers on the grounds of historic Clark Farm. Silver Lake State Park sits on the northern shores of the 84-acre lake, a popular destination for day trips and camping. Kayaks, canoes, and paddle boats are available to rent, and facilities include bathrooms, showers, and playgrounds. Visitors enjoy fishing, hiking, and swimming in the clean waters of Silver Lake, and leashed dogs are welcome.Established in 1832, the authentic General Store is a staple in town, and locals and tourists alike are warmly welcomed. Conveniently located on the shores of Silver Lake, it is a must-stop for delicious sandwiches, renowned breakfasts, ice cream, local beer, wine, and various necessities. For visitors seeking rustic luxury, Twin Farms, an all-inclusive five-star resort, offers amenities that include private cottages, exceptional farm-to-table culinary options, plentiful outdoor activities, a spa, and a fitness center. Set on 300 acres of meadows and woodlands overlooking the Green Mountains, the resort features 20 unique accommodations. Nearby popular towns such as Woodstock, Bethel, and Royalton offer additional options for dining, sightseeing, and activities.6. Colorado Ski TownsGETTY IMAGESThis summer, probably even more than usual, we’ll be looking to spend vacation time outdoors. Towns and resorts that fill with skiers and winter sports fans are beautiful warm weather destinations, too. In Breckenridge, more than 100 miles of hiking and biking trails offer opportunities for enjoying its scenery and mountains. Whitewater rafting, fly fishing, paddleboarding, kayaking, and boating on the area’s rivers, streams, and lakes are perfect summer activities. Places to stay range from campgrounds to luxury accommodations, including One Ski Hill Place and the new, pet-friendly Gravity Haus.In Aspen, hiking is popular in summer, and visitors can take a ride on the Silver Queen Gondola to the 11,212 foot top of Aspen Mountain. Golf, whitewater rafting in the Roaring Fork River, and enjoying the town keep summer visitors busy. Stay at the historic, luxe Hotel Jerome, stylish Aspen Meadows Resort, or choose The Little Nell for five-star comfort, convenient location, and superb dining.Vail is also lovely in summer, and adventure fans will want to experience the Forest Flyer Mountain Coaster, zipline above treetops, or try whitewater rafting. Vail hotels include The Arrabelle, The Lodge at Vail, and Vail Marriott Mountain Resort. Game Creek Chalet, a private lodge, sleeps up to ten guests. Ski towns like Durango, Crested Butte, Telluride, Silverton, and Steamboat are also ideal summer playgrounds.7. Baltimore, MarylandGETTY IMAGESSummertime in Baltimore brings to mind beaches, amusement parks, baseball, and food, especially Maryland crabs. This summer unites Americans, cautiously and carefully, in the patriotic city where Francis Scott Key penned "The Star-Spangled Banner" during the War of 1812.Baltimore usually hosts a number of celebrations for July 4, but several have been canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. Events that are currently still scheduled include the annual Independence Day pet parade and Red, White and Zoo Day at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore (although this is subject to change). While this diverse city has no shortage of fine hotels, the historic Ivy Hotel, a renovated 19th century mansion, offers its guests a unique, world-class experience as the only Relais & Chateaux property in Maryland. The boutique Sagamore Pendry Baltimore on Recreation Pier is another great option.8. Charleston, South CarolinaGETTY IMAGESHistory, charm, vintage architecture, beaches, harbor, and waterfront dining make a summer visit to Charleston an ideal vacation or long weekend getaway. Stroll among the pastel homes of Rainbow Row, the longest stretch of Georgian houses in the country, visit the South Carolina Aquarium, or enjoy summer breezes aboard a harbor cruise. Learn about Charleston’s history, art, and architecture with Bulldog Tours or take a walking food tour, tasting along the way, chatting with chefs, and visiting the city’s local markets.Stay in one of the many lovely hotels that reflect Charleston’s history. The Belmond Charleston Place is in the heart of downtown Charleston’s historic district as is The Spectator Hotel with its personal butler service. The boutique French Quarter Inn and Emeline are also attractive options.9. Maui, HawaiiPIERRE-ALIX FAVILLIER/GETTY IMAGESThe second largest of the Hawaiian islands, Maui offers many ways to enjoy its beauty and varied terrain. There are beaches, mountains, rainforests, farms, ranches, and quaint towns. The Haleakala volcano in the island’s southeast is home to a national park where visitors flock to watch the sunrise and sunset (reservation required), to hike, or to take thrilling downhill bike rides. Away from hotel pools, beaches, and golf courses, Maui’s upcountry is cool, often misty, and inviting. There’s a winery, goat farm, restaurants, and the town of Makawao, a reminder of the paniolo or cowboys of Maui who still hold a rodeo every July 4.On the island’s west side, resort areas of Kaanapali and Kapalua offer luxurious hotels and the town of Lahaina with restaurants, shops, and ocean views. The Montage Kapalua Bay, Kaanapali Beach Hotel, Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, and The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua are excellent options in the West Maui beach area. South Maui, on the island’s southwestern coast, boasts views of Lanai, Molokini, and Kahoolawe, as well as sunny beaches and the Maui Ocean Center aquarium. The Wailea resort community features a host of luxurious hotels, condos, and private homes, along with restaurants, shops, and golf courses. The Andaz Maui at Wailea and The Four Seasons Maui at Wailea are two of the lovely properties in the resort area. While your trip to Maui is in the planning stages, you can get into the spirit with these ideas from Four Seasons Hawaii. Create a lei while you listen to Hawaiian music via a specially-curated Spotify playlist and dream of your Maui vacation.10. Santa Fe, New MexicoPAUL BRADY/GETTY IMAGESJuly is the perfect time to hike to the higher elevations and cooler temperatures of the mountains near Santa Fe. Dog-friendly Nambe Lake, with its crystal clear water, is a favorite and somewhat challenging destination. A less demanding sunset hike on the Dorothy Stewart Trails offers sweeping views of Santa Fe and neighboring mountain ranges. Sante Fe has inspired generations of artists and art lovers. The Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, and Meow Wolf’s House of Eternal Return are among many delightful excursions. Stroll along Canyon Road, a half-mile stretch of over 100 galleries, art studios, and public art installations.Source: The Best Places to Travel in July

Singapore is one of my favorite places in the world. It’s a vibrant city, multi-cultural, safe and in some extent very clean. Here are some of the must-see attraction in Singapore as suggested by Travelmarbles.com. http://www.travelmarbles.com/2016/10/enjoy-highlights-singapore-budget/ Singapore. A wealthy business metropolis and one of the world`s most expensive cities, reasonably associated with luxurious shopping, prominent fine dining restaurants and fancy pool parties – a paradise for the rich. One would assume that a single stopover in this city hub would cost you a fortune. Well, it could. Yet it does not need to.. We have been to this charismatic city too many times to be able to afford spending the whole savings on every visit. So, we looked for other options. Believe or not, you ca(more)