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179

KITTY HAWK MACHINE 

At the time I was negotiating for my contract with the Wright Brothers I noticed an airplane, or parts of an airplane scattered about the back work shop and I inquired about it.
   
Wilbur said, "Oh, that's the old Kitty Hawk machine. It is in the way and we are going to take it out and burn it some day."
   
I said, "Wilbur, that machine has historic value. It should be preserved."
   
"Oh, no," he said, "We've had it around here all this time and we are getting sick and tired of seeing it."
   
I said, "Oh, well, if you won't do it, I will."
   
So the upshot of the matter was that we had it all put back in a crate and stored. Some of the parts were broken, some of the