The Wrights took the advice of a leading patent attorney of the time. They also paid the $25.00 fee.
The attorney spoke to them before the powered flight, as the patent was based on the research done with the 1902 glider and overcoming of warp drag with rudder.
HE advised them to keep things hush hush until the patent was granted. NO pictures of the mechanisms involved with control.
AND why shouldn't they patent it? They figured out what others couldn't figure out.
For the record, they offered the use of the control system and understanding of the controls FOR FREE to hobbyists. IT WAS ONLY when someone tried to make money off the wright system that they justifiably got mad.
Some confusion about pilots license.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aero_Club_of_America
Both wrights were granted licenses but issued in alphabetical order.
I understand Lindbergh got federal license number 69.