Samuel Pierpont Langley was the inventor of the first man-carrying airplane capable of sustained flight. You might say, “Wasn’t that the Wright brothers?” Well, you’re not wrong. Read on.
Langley was the head of the Smithsonian Institute from 1887 to 1906. He dreamed of making it big like his heroes Edison and Bell, so he secured $50,000 (about $1.5 million today) from the United States Department of War and set out to make the first piloted aircraft. He had everything: money, media attention, and the best and brightest of the day. However, after his second attempt he gave up.
Langley’s reason for pursuing flight was fame. The Wright brothers imagined a sky as easily traversed as the bikes they sold. It was an understanding about riding bikes that led to their success, and their vision that inspired them to continue past their failures.
Whatever your reason for pursuing post-secondary studies, it’s crucial to know why you’re doing it, what inspires you, what drives you past the failures until eventual success.
For those wanting to read more stories like this one, I encourage you to read Simon Sinek’s book Start with Why, or watch his Ted Talks on YouTube.
Camosun Business Study Group is focused on students helping students to succeed both in and outside of the classroom. For news and events, follow them at facebook.com/cambussg.