Aerial combat continues with Ohio [CT Post]

May 21, 2015

Article as it appeared in the Connecticut Post

Posted on May 19, 2015 | By Ken Dixon

Remember when Ohio was part of Connecticut? Then you might be 220 years old. The Senate tonight had the legislation on its consent calendar to make Gustave Whitehead’s No. 21 airplane the “state pioneering aircraft.” The bill next heads to the House. The appellation continues Connecticut historic guerrilla public-relations war against Ohio, most of which was designated at Connecticut’s “Western Reserve” from 1796 until 1800. While Dayton, the home of the Wright Brothers, was not included in the Western Reserve, you get the point. Ohio recently passed a law insisting the Wrights were the first to fly. Recently, author David McCullough’s new book sides with Ohio. In recent years, the General Assembly has named the state first in flight and honored Whitehead, left. No photos of Whitehead’s flight exist, but according to a report in the Bridgeport Herald on Aug. 14, 1901, Whitehead (left) kept his No. 21 airborne for about a half-mile and up to about 40 feet off the ground.