What Dreams May Come

“Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.” – Anonymous

But the dream started with an idea that was planted in their minds by a toy given to them by their father.

In the words of the boys, “Late in the autumn of 1878, our father came into the house one evening with some object partly concealed in his hands, and before we could see what it was, he tossed it into the air. Instead of falling to the floor, as we expected, it flew across the room till it struck the ceiling, where it fluttered awhile, and finally sank to the floor.” This simple toy made of bamboo, cork and stretched rubber bands, fascinated the boys and sparked their lifelong interest in what would become one of mankind’s greatest achievements.

The two boys were great thinkers. They enjoyed learning new things. Initially, they recycled broken parts, built a printing press and opened their own printing office. Their interest moved to bicycles and in 1893, they opened a cycle company where they sold and repaired bicycles. But the older of the boys had his mind set on something more exciting.

The boys spent many hours researching, testing their machines and making improvements after many unsuccessful attempts. What started out as a hobby soon became a passion. With determination and patience, they realized their dream in 1903.

The next time you travel on one, remember where it all started – a simply idea conceived in the minds of two young men who did not finish high school.

Believe it or not, they did not have a University degree in Aeronautical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics or any other subject. They were not scientists in the true sense of the word. In fact, many of their peers who did not witness their accomplishment, had trouble believing that two bicycle mechanics from Dayton, Ohio did what they claimed.

On Friday, December 17, 1903 at 10:35 AM, Wilbur and Orville – popularly known as the Wright Brothers – achieved their dream.

Go on, be a dreamer – without a dream, you may have nowhere to start.