Arch Hoxsey (center) repairing the fabric to a Wright 'transitional' aircraft, Montgomery, Alabama, 1901.

Image credit: Wright State University

The success of the fabric...

Like all other aspects of the Wrights' aircraft, the design and use of the fabric evolved as they learned more about its role in effectiveness of the wings.

For example, with their first four aircraft, the 1899 kite and the 1900, 1901, and 1902 gliders, the fabric covered only the one surface of the wing. As they designed more substanial ribs for the 1903 Flyer, though, both surfaces were covered. As Orville wrote to his father on October 15:

"We completed the upper surface of our new machine yesterday. It is the prettiest we ever made, and of a much better shape, being smooth on both upper and lower sides. Heretofore the pars running from tip to tip have been projecting on the under side of the surface. This, of course, was costly in the efficiency of the surface, but was a defect rather hard to overcome; and in this respect our former machines were far ahead of anybody else. This year is thickest at the front edge and gradually tapers off to the thickness of the cloth at the rear edge."

The muslin used in 1903 was applied to the Flyers of 1904 and 1905. It wasn't until 1908 that there was a change in the type of fabric. As Orville wrote to Wilbur on December 28:

"I think I will build a special machine for the U.S. so as to make the 44-mile speed. I have some samples of "Cravenetted" (rubberized) cloth which I am going to test as to shrinking qualities. If it is better than plain muslin I will use it. It is waterproof, and therefore ought not to absorb moisture and shrink."

This fabric was used for the most produced aircraft, the Model B. As with all other aspects of their designs, the fabric went though a process of evolution and refinement. When the Wrights arrived at a solution which worked, it stayed.