The invention of the airplane is often inaccurately attributed solely to the Wright brothers, while aviation history includes numerous important figures across different nations. Notably, Alberto Santos-Dumont is celebrated in Brazil for his innovations, such as the Demoiselle, which featured a tail-plane configuration still used in modern aircraft. The article highlights that aviation advancement is the result of collective contributions from many inventors, including Otto Lilienthal, Hans Grade, and Clément Ader, rather than the work of a single inventor. It also notes the competitive narratives between states like Ohio and North Carolina regarding the Wright brothers' achievements, which reflect differing cultural legacies of innovation. The commentary on the Wright brothers acknowledges their significant role but emphasizes that they were not the only contributors to powered flight. Their achievements included pioneering controlled and sustained flight, but they built on the work of earlier innovators, illustrating a broader historical context of collaboration in technological advancements.