I laughed out loud when I ran across this Dayton, Ohio web page that described the skeptical reaction of the members of the aviation committee of the Aero Club of France when Lahm read a French translation of Weaver's letter to them:
All conceded that Lahm’s friend Weaver had doubtless been sincere in what he wrote but they insisted that he somehow been fooled. They “knew” flight was impossible with a motor of only twelve horsepower.
Source
More than 100 years later, even though these fine men were in a much better position to delve into it while people were, you know, still alive, Simplex stills "knows" this too and carries on the torch of skepticism.
