On Monday, officials from Bridgeport and Fairfield, Connecticut, once again staked their claim to the “First in Flight” and “birthplace of powered flight” bragging rights by declaring August 14 as Gustave Whitehead Day on the 116th anniversary of his alleged inaugural powered flight. Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim and Fairfield First Selectman Mike Tetreau were joined by Whitehead’s great-great-granddaughter Sammie Kusterer, as well as Fairfield resident Andy Kosch, who previously built and flew a replica of Whitehead’s Condor No. 21 airplane.
Connecticut Towns Honor Gustave Whitehead, Reigniting ‘First in Flight’ Debate
Key Takeaways:
- Connecticut officials from Bridgeport and Fairfield declared August 14 as Gustave Whitehead Day, reaffirming his "First in Flight" claim on the 116th anniversary of his alleged inaugural powered flight, supported by family and replica aircraft builders.
- The claim is highly contested and has been extensively debunked by publications like the Journal of Aeronautical History and Scientific American, which cite issues with the original reporting, recanted witness testimonies, and a lack of definitive proof.
- Despite ongoing debunkings, Whitehead's proponents remain steadfast, perpetuating a contentious "chicken and egg" debate with states that recognize the Wright Brothers as first in flight.
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