Wilbur and Orville's Intelligence, Practical vs. IQ
The Wright brothers were exceptionally intelligent not only in knowledge, but also practical uses. Wilbur and Orville had a natural flair for inventing from childhood, and usually designed objects for practical uses. These brothers have a large amount of practical intelligence compared to their academic intelligence. Since they never studied in college, or obtained degrees, the Wright brothers did not have the exceptional skills of a mechanical engineer. However, they had a better quality: common sense and the power to dream. These brothers began to study their mentor's findings of gliders, and formed a goal to design a manpowered aircraft. Their practical intelligence led the two brothers—after observing birds in flight in 1899— to believe that pilot control of the vehicle under wind power had to be established before mechanical power could be applied, and Orville theorized that lateral balance held the key. This new process established the fact that Wilbur and Orville were not ordinary engineers, they dared to look to nature and use a little practicality to solve their problems.