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> I would expect the Smithsonian to have a better grasp of history. It might be good to adjust that expectation. The Smithsonian's interest in these flights w
by adolph 5y ago
> I would expect the Smithsonian to have a better grasp of history.
It might be good to adjust that expectation.
The Smithsonian's interest in these flights was political. The reputation of the Smithsonian had suffered greatly in 1903 when Langley's Aerodrome failed to fly. This made it more difficult to obtain funding, which limited its growth and effectiveness as a scientific organization. The current Secretary, Charles Walcott, felt that the best way to repair this reputation was the show the Aerodrome could have flown; the time and money spent on it had not been wasted.
https://www.wright-brothers.org/History_Wing/History_of_the_Airplane/Doers_and_Dreamers/Wright_Smithsonian_Controversy/00_Wright_Smithsonian_Controversy_Intro.htm https://www.wright-brothers.org/History_Wing/History_of_the_...
- AlbertCory 5y ago"these flights"?? what are you talking about? The original title, and the title still on the article, is "What Made the Battle of Blair Mountain the Largest Labor Uprising in American History?"
- bpodgursky 5y agoThey're posting an example of the Smithsonian acting as a political institution as opposed to a neutral observer of history.
- sharkmerry 5y agothe example they are using is from over 100 years ago. Do we have any examples from a little more recently
- bpodgursky 5y agoI was just trying to clarify the OP comment, I don't really care about this debate tbh.
- adolph 5y agoDo you have any examples of Smithsonian operating honestly with regard to something where it would be in their interest to not be honest?