The Wright brothers just glided in 1903. They flew in 1908.

[eetrojan]

“It is certainly true that if not the Wrights, somebody else would have invented the airplane in the early years of the 20th century." - Fred Culick.

Source: http://authors.library.caltech.edu/1...CULaiaaj03.pdf

This quote means the author believed two things: (1) The Wrights invented the airplane; and (2) If they hadn't, somebody else would have invented the airplane.

That's like saying "It is certainly true that if not Alexander Graham Bell, somebody else would have invented the telephone."

That sounds correct. No argument from me.