Wrights Cycle Company:
As the brothers aged their interest in mechanics and building had not seized. Both Brothers were swept away by the growing bicycle craze. Each bought their own bicycle and became avid cyclists. The Brothers quickly gained a reputation as skillful mechanics, as people within their community began bringing in their bikes for the Brothers to
repair. Due to their growing reputation the Wright brothers decided to open their own bicycle shop in 1892 named the Wrights Cycle Company (Freedman, 1991). As success from the shop grew the Brothers agreed to expand by opening a series of four more shops (Freedman, 1991).
In the beginning the Brothers chose only to sell, rent, and repair bicycles. Slowly the Brothers began to manufacture their own custom bicycles, the Van Cleve and the more affordable St. Clair (Freedman, 1991). The brothers designed many of their own parts and even built their own one-cylinder internal-combustion engine to assist in driving the machinery in their shop (Freedman, 1991). When bicycle season drew to a close Wilbur and Orville found themselves with spare time to take on a new interest. By 1899 the brothers began work on their new found interest, the idea of flying.
repair. Due to their growing reputation the Wright brothers decided to open their own bicycle shop in 1892 named the Wrights Cycle Company (Freedman, 1991). As success from the shop grew the Brothers agreed to expand by opening a series of four more shops (Freedman, 1991).
In the beginning the Brothers chose only to sell, rent, and repair bicycles. Slowly the Brothers began to manufacture their own custom bicycles, the Van Cleve and the more affordable St. Clair (Freedman, 1991). The brothers designed many of their own parts and even built their own one-cylinder internal-combustion engine to assist in driving the machinery in their shop (Freedman, 1991). When bicycle season drew to a close Wilbur and Orville found themselves with spare time to take on a new interest. By 1899 the brothers began work on their new found interest, the idea of flying.
The Wright Brothers put their mechanic skills to the test by opening the Wrights Cycle Company. Their Inventor potential shined through as the Brothers designed many of the tools they used to build and repair the many bicycles within their shop. During the off season for cycling, the Brothers found interest in a new hobby, the idea of flight. The brothers pushed to make their dreams realities.