Or to expand this a bit more - they learned and documented how to have controlled flight. They were the first ones to have flights measured in hours. Big differ

Or to expand this a bit more - they learned and documented how to have controlled flight. They were the first ones to have flights measured in hours. Big difference from just a one off flight. (there is a great book about this https://share.libbyapp.com/title/1815407 https://share.libbyapp.com/title/1815407 )