What was invented ?
Megan's first citation is an interesting paper, but it seems to me it misses a central fact of importance.
Wilbur and Orville Wright invented the aeroplane (I like to use period-appropriate terms) because they invented the means to control an aeroplane's flight... not because they invented the trussed biplane design, or curved lifting surfaces, or other elements of design.
Without the means to actively control the direction of an aeroplane's flight in the three directions (roll, pitch and yaw), the device, whatever its merits or abilities is not an aeroplane. At it's heart, it is an effective control system being operated in three directions while aloft that defines an aeroplane.
So, yes, the Wilbur and Orville Wright did invent the aeroplane, and their three-axis control system is what they patented.