The historic record does show that the Wrights have been mis-portrayed for political and financial gain. As an example, read
Smithsonian conspiracy to deny Whitehead flew first now provable. The original documents are contained therein. This has been about MONEY as in financial gain, from the very beginning. Then you can add power and influence. Mix those together and you have "History by Contract" by O'Dwyer and Randolph, courtesy of the Smithsonian.