Thank you to The Wright Brothers Family Foundation!
Amanda Wright Lane and Stephen Wright, the great-grandniece and great-grandnephew of Wilbur and Orville Wright.
Special Collections and Archives at Wright State University sends a big thank you to The Wright Brothers Family Foundation for their support of the Protect the Propeller Campaign. As home to the largest collection of Wright brothers manuscripts in the world, Wright State University is very fortunate to have the Wright family as longtime friends and supporters. Their commitment to preserving and sharing the history of the Wright brothers and the history of aviation in Dayton is very much appreciated. The Wright Brothers Family Foundation’s $2,000 donation helps us get closer to our goal!
The Wright Brothers USA opens search for licensee partners for bicycles and bicycle-related products and enterprises
The brick building at 22 South Williams Street, Dayton, Ohio, where the Wrights worked from 1895 to 1897, is the only extant building on its original foundation and in its original location that housed a Wright bicycle shop.
DAYTON, Ohio—March 28, 2018—The Wright Brothers USA, the commercial arm of The Wright Brothers Family Foundation, today announced the launch of a licensing program that will allow manufacturers to use the name of The Wright Brothers on select bicycles, equipment and accessories, as well as bicycle-related businesses like cycle shops and touring companies.
This announcement follows the late-2017 launch of two Wright-inspired bicycles, the St. Clair™ 1896 and the Van Cleve™ 1896, which are built to order with modern-day specifications and sold exclusively through The Wright Brothers USA’s website.
“Our bikes invoke the Wrights’ indomitable spirit of innovation, persistence, and pursuit of perfection,” explained Kenneth Botts, president. “They’re limited editions, built in the same Dayton city block where the brothers conducted the bike shop business that funded the invention of the airplane.”
History buffs and cycling aficionados know that Wilbur and Orville Wright operated a number of bike shops in Dayton, from which they produced their own models of bicycles and ultimately went from wheels to wings.
The original St. Clair bicycle was named for Arthur St. Clair, the first president of the Northwest Territory of the United States, comprised of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. Today’s version is handmade of Reynolds 725 tubing, with a Shimano Alfine 8 internal hub and SRAM Avid BB5 disc brakes. It sells for $3,950.
The Van Cleve model harkens back to the Wrights’ top-of-the-line build and pays homage to their to their mother’s ancestors the Van Cleves, some of Dayton’s earliest settlers. The $4,750 bike features Shimano Alfine 11-speed internal rear hub, TRP Spyre brakes, and Gates Carbon Drive CDX belt.
Summarized Botts: “Building on the success of our made-in-the-U.S.A. St. Clair and Van Cleve bicycles, we are seeking licensing partners in the bike industry who see the appeal of the Wright brothers’ near-universal name recognition, and appreciate its connection with history, quality manufacturing, and integrity.”
Previously, The Wright Brothers USA has forged successful partnerships with Detroit-based Shinola and UK-timepiece-maker Bremont Watch Company. The Shinola project involved production of 25 co-branded bicycles and 1,000 watches, all of which sold out. Similarly, the Bremont collaborative, 450 high-end watches that incorporated a small swatch of the original wing cloth from the 1903 Wright Flyer I, also sold out.
Proceeds from licensing ventures fund the work of The Wright Brothers Family Foundation, which is dedicated to preserving the Wright brothers’ legacy worldwide. Its initiatives include maintenance and programming of Hawthorn Hill (the Wright brothers’ success mansion), restoration of the original Wright Company buildings (the first U.S. airplane factory) and preservation of aviation history around the globe.
To learn more about The Wright Brothers brand story, and discuss licensing opportunities, please email KenB@TheWrightBrothersUSA.com.
About The Wright Brothers USA
The Wright Brothers USA is the exclusive global licensor for The Wright Brothers trademark, which is owned by The Wright Brothers Family Foundation. Appointment of The Wright Brothers USA marked the first time the foundation had commissioned an agency to create, develop and build a brand around commercial products and services bearing the brothers’ famous name. Founding partners Kenneth Botts and Doug Knopp lead the company, which is based in Dayton, OH, the birthplace of aviation. A portion of all licensing royalties goes directly to The Wright Brothers Family Foundation. For more information, go to thewrightbrothersusa.com.
About The Wright Brothers Family Foundation
The Wright Brothers Family Foundation supports the preservation of aviation history related to Orville and Wilbur Wright by funding research and publication of aviation history, scholarships for studies in the fields of aviation and aeronautics, educational programming, the restoration and display of aviation artifacts, and landmarks and memorials related to the Wright brothers’ story. Established at The Dayton Foundation by Wilkinson Wright, the Wright brothers’ grandnephew, the fund today is advised by Stephen Wright and Amanda Wright Lane, great-grandnephew and great-grandniece, respectively. For more information, go to thewrightbrothersfamilyfdn.org.
Media coverage:
Bicycle Retailer
BikeBiz
BikingPress
Endurance Business
Endurance Sportswire
SNEWS
The Sunbury News
David Lightle’s international vision continues; The Wright Brothers USA hosts Discovery Expedition.
Chinese students with Jiabeicun Education Technology, Ltd., based in Shenzhen, China, are touring Dayton as part of The Wright Brothers Family Foundation international outreach program.
The Wright Brothers USA are hosts for Discovery Expedition, a group of Chinese students touring Dayton for a first hand aviation heritage experience. Seventeen Chinese students with Jiabeicun Education Technology, Ltd., based in Shenzhen, China, are touring Dayton as part of an educational field trip across the United States. The group, children ages 7-11, will also study in Viroqua, WI., Minneapolis, MN., and San Francisco, CA., with a camping trip in Yellowstone, Badlands, and Wind Cave National Parks thrown in for good measure.
Their Dayton experience is everything aviation—Wright Brothers Aviation Center at Carillon Historical Park, WACO Air Museum & Historic WACO Field, Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center and Wright Cycle Company, Wright Company, Huffman Prairie Interpretive Center and Huffman Prairie Flying Field, and National Museum of the United States Air Force.
“Immerse the kids in the rich history of the Wright brothers, so they might gain inspiration from the legacy of Dayton’s favorite sons,” says local host Doug Knopp, creative director and partner of The Wright Brothers USA. “First hand they see invention, innovation, ingenuity, perseverance, resilience, and the other qualities that so framed the Wright brothers place in world history. They changed the world forever with their invention of the airplane.”
Tristan, with Jiabeicun Education Technology Ltd, agrees. “The U.S. is the leader, on a global stage, in aviation. Our students are getting more than what we could normally find in a book or watch on TV. It’s the perfect combination of learning about the American innovative spirit and aviation heritage.”
Why Dayton? “The Wright brothers, in China, are names in history,” claims Tristan. “When it happened (the first flights) it was only news. But to see the museums here, to actually stand in front of the camera that took the first picture of the first flight in 1903, that’s a real example of the great heritage.
“I can see how the Wright brothers are revitalizing the interest in aviation for Dayton. There is so much to observe.”
This trip was all made possible by the vision of David Lightle, co-founder of The Wright Brothers USA, who passed away August 28th while he was in China working on educational missions and building support in Asia for The Wright Brothers Family Foundation.
The Wright Brothers Family Foundation supports the preservation of aviation history related to Wilbur and Orville Wright by promoting aviation education and aviation heritage causes worldwide. Royalties generated by The Wright Brothers USA goes toward benefiting The Wright Brothers Family Foundation.
The Wright Brothers USA co-founder and CEO, David Lightle
Photo by Thomas Gnau, Staff Writer, Dayton Daily News
It is with great sadness that we share this unfortunate news:
The Wright Brothers USA co-founder and CEO, David Lightle, passed away this weekend, August 27. Dave was in China, sharing the timeless Wright brothers story, following-up on museum projects, and building support in Asia for The Wright Brothers Family Foundation.
A friend and fan of aviation heritage and the aviation community, Dave’s passion for the courage and the inventive spirit of Wilbur and Orville Wright will be deeply missed.
We continue to be fully committed to ensuring the realization of Dave’s vision for The Wright Brothers brand.
—Kenneth Botts & Doug Knopp, co-founders
Community coverage:
http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/news/wright-brothers-usa-founder-dies/nsNRp/
http://www.whio.com/news/wright-brothers-usa-founder-dies/oAIL6aOIqpRMMn8aypIS0O/
Wright Flyer replicas to promote Dayton tourism and history in China.
From the Dayton Daily News- -Two sets of replica Wright Brothers airplanes have been sold to museums in China, advancing worldwide marketing of Dayton and tourism growth for the Birthplace of Aviation.
“It will place Dayton’s history squarely in the heart of China’s most populous regions,” said David Lightle, chief executive of Wright Brothers USA LLC. “It’s big.”
The Wright Brothers Store in the online merchandise presence for Wright Brothers USA LLC.
Shinola’s limited edition watch and bicycle
14 October 15
The Wright Brothers USA, LLC
Shinola Detroit
Case Study
In early 2013, we received a phone call from the owners of the reinvented Shinola brand, operating out of Detroit. They were preparing to launch their line of fashionable Shinola Runwell watches, and in the process came up with the creative idea to lead the charge with a series of commemorative watches based on the concept of famous inventors or founders of industries. They chose the Wright brothers as the first in the series, and contacted us about creating a co-branded, limited edition watch. We were, of course, thrilled to partner with the incredible marketing minds at Shinola Detroit!
Shinola’s corporate citizen mission is to help bring manufacturing back to Detroit and the U.S.A. in general. What better path toward achieving that goal than leveraging America’s greatest inventive stories, starting with the Wright brothers?
Plans soon unfolded for a run of 1,000 watches each priced at $1,000. But the Shinola team did not stop there: They also wanted to produce a very limited line of 25 city bikes co-branded with The Wright Brothers, harkening back to the brothers’ early days as bicycle makers. The bikes were priced at $2,950 each.
In December of 2013, the watches and bikes were launched with much fanfare at a very appropriate venue: The Henry Ford Museum at Greenfield Village, Detroit. The Shinola leadership joined with Amanda Wright Lane, trustee of The Wright Brothers Family Foundation in Dayton, Ohio, and Edsel Ford III to hold a media event that was true to the class that Shinola brings to all of its marketing efforts.
The Shinola watches sold out very quickly, within months, and the bikes sold out upon reaching the Spring sales season of 2014. Shinola stands as a shining example of how The Wright Brothers brand can be co-opted by a licensing partner with tremendous results. This early experience for our brand proved both the high value and popularity of the Wright brothers name, specially among a target audience that consists largely of younger fashionistas and early adopters. In other words, Shinola helped demonstrate the ongoing affinity that people have with the two guys who changed the world in a way few have and whose spirit of perseverance and innovation remains as inspirational today as ever.
The Bremont Watch Company’s story behind the Limited Edition Wright Flyer
14 October 15
The Wright Brothers USA, LLC
Bremont Watch Company
Case Study
In April 2014, the owners of the Bremont Watch Co. of the U.K. contacted us via a mutual colleague. Bremont is an up and coming luxury watch brand that seeks to restore British leadership in watchmaking. The clock was, after all, invented in England!
Bremont was founded and is led by two brothers (how about that irony!), Nick and Giles English. Both are pilots who have nurtured from childhood an affinity with the Wright brothers. And their trials and tribulations with flight also mirror the Wrights’ early days, with both English brothers having suffered challenging injuries in experimental and recreational flying.
Their long-held rapport with the story of the Wright brothers led them to contact us about creating a limited edition watch that would be the fourth in their series of timepieces that commemorate important milestones in history, particularly in military or aviation history. Not only do the watches celebrate history but they also contain a piece of it. The first offering of Bremont in the series was the Victory, a watch that included a piece of the original wood decking of the Victory ship. After those sold out easily, the brothers then moved on to their second and third watches in the series, the P-51 and Enigma, the former partially made from metal derived from an actual P-51 fighter plane from WWII, and the latter containing a chard of paper from the Enigma machine that helped break the German codes in WWII.
When the brothers caught wind that the Wright family still had remnants of the original wing cloth of the 1903 Wright Flyer, the world’s first airplane, they immediately thought, “Bingo! This is the motherlode of historical items suitable for their watch series.”
After much consideration, and some persuasion of our part with regard to the value of partnering with Bremont, the Wright family agreed to offer a small sheet of the remaining wing cloth. The English brothers could not believe their luck!
The result, the Limited Edition Wright Flyer, is a watch that has taken its rightful place among the pantheon of history’s most valuable and meaningful timepieces. Luxurious to the hilt, and packaged accordingly, the watches helped catapult Bremont to the top of the class of luxury watchmakers worldwide. It has gained global publicity, which has been a real boost for The Wright Brothers brand as well. Bremont produced 50 white gold versions of the Limited Edition Wright Flyer that sold for US$45,000 each; 50 rose gold ones for $35,000 each, and 350 stainless steel ones that are selling for around $25,000 each. The watches are sold out, to the delight of collectors round the globe.
This case study points to yet another hugely successful example of how a world-class brand partnered with The Wright Brothers brand to create an item of immense value.
The Wright Brothers brand seeks models
We are preparing for our Premier event on May 5th! Casting call for models will be held at 123 Webster St., Dayton, OH 45402 in Suite 103 on March 28th from 12 – 2pm.
Esquire magazine investigates Bremont’s Wright Flyer timepiece
Bremont’s Wright Flyer watch continues to make waves in high-profile international media…The best news? It gives exposure to the Wright brothers’ story and their hometown of Dayton, Ohio!
Daily Finance covers The Wright Brothers Worldwide fund-raising target
Daily Finance covers The Wright Brothers Worldwide announcement of fund-raising target. The founders discuss their plans for fund-raising and product roll-outs in this article adapted from its original Dayton Daily News article.
http://www.dailyfinance.com/2014/08/11/dayton-market-wright-brothers-raise-money/