h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I've gone over them and concluded that this is the most boring entry I've ever written! And that includes "The Wright Brothers - How They Almost Quit"

Pish, tosh!
Not so!
I have been doing research on the Bros on and off for years and you managed to find a couple of things I didn't know.

Not boring.

I would have done it a bit differently, but I think you could have done much worse.

How would you have done it?

Pretty much like I did my Yoko Ono entry.
With a bit of humor and some sarcasm.

I also would have mentioned the father's religious affiliation (I believe he was a United Methodist and kind of self-appointed in his bishopric.) and the fact that the unmarried members of the family seemed to be celibate.

There's also an odd Orville quote that I found. I will attempt to find it for you. I can't remember where I put it.

But I did find this one:

Wilbur to his sister from Le Mans, Aug 22, 1908:
"We have even been set to music, and everyone is singing the song "Il Vol" (he flies) fo which I will send you a copy as soon as I can get one."

Which is found in "Miracle at Kitty Hawk: The letters of Wilbur and Orville Wright"
Da Capo press 1996
ISBN: 0-306-80671-1

A certain boringness seems to be required in order for an entry to become Edited. Mine rather drab entry (yet to be published) is a variation on deviled eggs!

So, why apologize?

I believe I mentioned that Milton had religious affiliations in the Family entry.

Can I ask why you're researching the Wrights? I mostly know them because I live in Dayton, Ohio- which is obsessed with the brothers. I've written five edited entries on the wrights by the way-

The First Canoe to Fly Around the Statue of Liberty - A1062569
The Legacies of the Wright Brothers in Dayton Ohio - A1067960
The Wright Brothers - How they Almost Quit - This one
Family of the Wright Brothers - A1118332
The Patent Wars of the Wright Brothers - A1143541 (Which is with the sub)

I liked the Yoko Ono entry by the way.

I've seen a few frankly hilarious entries make it, and there are some that are universally interesting, I think.

I squeeze a few jokes in when I can though

Found it!

"If a man is in too big a hurry to give up an error he is liable to give up some truth with it, and in accepting the arguments of the other man he is sure to get some error with it. Honest argument is merely a process of mutually picking the beams and motes out of each other's eyes so both can see clearly. Men become wise just as they become rich, more by what they save than by what they receive. After I get hold of a truth I hate to lose it again, and I like to sift all the truth out before I give up an error."

Wilbur Wright to George A. Spratt
April 27, 1903

I'm always rummaging around on the edges of history.
Recently I began trying to find out what sort of automobiles the Wright Bros. owned.
No dice.
Haven't found a thing.
Haven't even been able to establish that they could drive...

Like it

"Milton Wright, born in 1828, was a minister. When he became a bishop, he often had to move from town to town, giving the Wrights many temporary homes. Bishop Wright is often described as gruff and firm, but he maintained a love of his children. "

That there be it. No mention of affiliation. I think it was Milton's religion that allowed him to be a free-thinker and to be married to a woman who was more intelligent than he was and enjoy it!

Also, Orville got conked at college, if I remember correctly, when he did attempt a bit of higher education.
Wilbur earned his diploma but I don't think he attended graduation.

They were building their own bikes by then, if I remember correctly.

Gee whiz, you guys, there's a lot of cute, cuddly and fun Edited Guide Entries!

I'll go find you some!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/alabaster/C120

Start with these!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/alabaster/A507034

Here's an old favorite.

And how about this one?!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/alabaster/A995682

Er, yes, but now that you've brought them up, some Auntie Beeb higher-up might read them and decide they need a good censoring. Consider Jodan's and my conversation a way to avoid the Evil Eye.

So why were you researching the Wrights, Tonsil?

As I said earlier, because I wanted to know what kind of car they drove.

To me, finding out what sort of auto the pioneers of flight owned has taken on a bizarre importance.

Kinda like what brand of breakfast cereal Henry Ford ate...
his own.

Oh. And here I thought you had a legitimate reason

Put "legitimate" and "historical research" in a sentence without laughing.

I dare you.