Seven people who changed the world (3)

We will be studying the following people during April:  Nicola Tesla, John Logie Baird, Mark Twain, The Wright Brothers, Marie Currie and  James Watt

During April we will be using the theme of “Seven People who changed the world?” to increase our vocabulary. Looking at the famous people who changed our world.

This week’s English lesson :  The Wright Brothers

SECTION ONE (The Wright Brothers)

Who were the Wright brothers?

There has long been misconceptions about who was the first person to fly unaided.  History quite clearly tells us that there were three significant people recorded in history.  Below you will find the history in chronological order about who made those flights.

Abbas ibn Firnas

Abbas ibn Firnas (810-887) was a remarkable Andalusian polymath from the region of present-day Spain, renowned for his early attempts at human flight. Born in Córdoba, Islamic Spain, he is often credited with constructing a flying machine in the 9th century. In 875, he reportedly made a notable flight by gliding from a hill using a contraption made of silk and feathers, demonstrating an understanding of aerodynamics. While his attempt did not achieve sustained flight as seen in later aviation milestones, his pioneering efforts and theoretical contributions laid groundwork for the pursuit of flight. Ibn Firnas is remembered as a visionary in the history of aviation, illustrating the rich scientific legacy of the Islamic Golden Age.

The Wright brothers,

The Wright brothers, Orville (born August 19, 1871) and Wilbur Wright (born April 16, 1867), were American aviation pioneers credited with inventing and building the world’s first successful motor-operated airplane. Their first groundbreaking flight took place on December 17, 1903, near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, where their aircraft, the Wright Flyer, achieved sustained flight for 12 seconds covering 120 feet. Later they made a 3rd much longer flight  in October 1905 (long flight) for 39 minutes. Driven by a passion for flight and extensive experimentation, the brothers made significant contributions to aerodynamics and control systems, laying the foundation for modern aviation. Their work culminated in the development of the first practical airplanes in the years that followed.

Alberto Santos-Dumont

Alberto Santos-Dumont (1873-1932) was a Brazilian aviation pioneer known for his significant contributions to early flight in the early 20th centuries. Born on July 20, 1873, in Brazil, he later moved to France, where he conducted many of his experiments. Santos-Dumont is particularly famous for his dirigible flights (gas filled balloons), especially for winning the 1906 Archdeacon Prize for flying his 14-bis heavier-than-air aircraft, which made a significant public flight on October 23, 1906, in Paris. The gas filled balloon (dirigible) lifted the aeroplane up into the air attached by a steel cable.  His innovative designs and daring flights captured the public’s imagination, positioning him as a key figure in the history of aviation and earning him recognition as a national hero in Brazil.

Chronology

1st:  First flight.   Abbas ibn Firnas  875

2nd: Second flight.  The Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur Wright  December 17, 1903 (short flight)

3rd: Third Flight. The Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur Wright  October 1905 (long flight)

4th: Fourth Flight.  Alberto Santos-Dumont October 23, 1906

VOCABULARY:  After reading the text discuss all of the new words.

GRAMMAR:  Go back through the text and identify all of the adjectives in the text.

  SECTION TWO (Vocabulary)

1. **Aerodynamics**: The study of the behavior of air as it interacts with solid objects, particularly aircraft, to optimize performance and stability.

2. **Fuselage**: The main body of an aircraft, designed to hold passengers, cargo, and the cockpit, providing structural integrity and aerodynamic efficiency.

3. **Lift**: The upward force generated by the wings of an aircraft as air flows over and under them, crucial for enabling flight.

4. **Propulsion**: The mechanism by which an aircraft is moved forward, typically achieved through engines that produce thrust.

5. **Cockpit**: The area in an aircraft where the pilot and co-pilot control the aircraft, containing instruments, controls, and seating.

6. **Stall**: A flight condition where the wing angle exceeds the critical angle of attack, causing a sudden loss of lift and potentially leading to altitude loss.

7. **Avionics**: The electronic systems used in aircraft for communication, navigation, and monitoring, encompassing a wide range of technologies.

8. **Altitude**: The height of an aircraft above a reference point, typically above sea level, which affects flight performance and air pressure.

9. **Turbulence**: Irregular fluctuations in airflow that can cause variations in an aircraft’s altitude and speed, often experienced during flight.

10. **Runway**: A paved area designated for the takeoff and landing of aircraft, providing a surface for planes to accelerate to flying speed or decelerate to a stop.

SECTION THREE: Grammar ( The Perfect Continuous Tense)

1. By the time the plane landed, the passengers had been waiting for over three hours at the airport.
2. She has been training as a pilot for five years and is now ready to take her final exams.
3. They had been flying together for years before they decided to form their own aviation company.
4. We have been discussing different flight routes for the upcoming trip since last week.
5. The engineers had been working on the new aircraft design for several months before it was finally approved.

SECTION FOUR:  Watch the 4 minute video and then answer the nine questions below.

VIDEO ONE

VIDEO TWO

QUESTIONS:

1. In video one what kind of shop did the Wright brothers own?
2. In October 1905 the brothers made their second flight. How long and how far did the fly for?
3. In second video when was the first flight made?
4. From the text you read at the beginning of the lesson in which century was the very first flight made?
5. In the first video the commentator uses the phrase “aviation buff”  what is a buff?

SECTION FIVE:  Writing Exercise

Write a short essay of 150 words on the following topic: “The impact of technology on education.”

Discuss both the positive and negative aspects of technology in the learning environment. Begin by describing how technology enhances learning through resources and accessibility, then counter this by addressing potential drawbacks such as distractions and reduced face-to-face interactions. Conclude with your personal opinion on whether the benefits outweigh the disadvantages. Make sure to organize your ideas clearly, using linking phrases to connect your points and maintain coherence