To
make the make your inner tube box twist as Wilbur did, you must hold it just right and
squeeze the proper corners. |
Click
on the pictures to enlarge them. |
| 1. Hold two diagonal corners on
the one end of the box between your thumb and index finger. With your other hand,
hold the two opposite diagonal corners in the same manner. |
Hold the box as shown. |
| 2. Gently squeeze both sets of
corners together. The box will take on a spiral twist (also called a helicoidal twist). |
Gently squeeze the corners together to twist the box in one direction. |
| 3. To twist the box in the other
direction, shift your grip so you holding the opposite sets of diagonal corners.
Then squeeze. Or, if you don't want to let go of the box, simply spread the
corners that you're already holding. This brings the opposite set of corners together, and
the twist reverses itself. |
Spread the corners to reverse the twist. |
| 4. Look at the box from the side
as you squeeze and spread the corners. Wilbur saw the top and bottom of his box as the
wings of a biplane, each side presenting itself at a different angle to the wind. This, he
knew, would create a difference in lift. When the wings were twisted, one side
would have more than the other. The side with increased lift would rise, while the side
with decreased lift would sink. This would cause the biplane to roll right or left. He
showed this to Orville, and the two brothers decided to build a model glider to test
Wilbur's idea. Wilbur flew the model as a kite in late July 1899. And it worked. |
You should get this sort of action. |
