Samford University journalism professor Julie Hedgepeth Williams will speak in Kitty Hawk, N.C., Friday, Dec. 17, at the 107^th anniversary celebration of powered flight by Orville Wright Dec. 17, 1903.  Dr. Williams is the author of the book, Wings of Opportunity: The Wright Brothers in Montgomery, Alabama 1910, released last year.  She will speak at the annual First Flight Society luncheon.

Wilbur and Orville Wright chose Kitty Hawk to conduct their flying experiments because of its regular breezes off the Atlantic Ocean and its soft sandy landing areas.  After refining their powered flying machine over the next few years, they came to Montgomery in the spring of 1910 to open the nation’s first flying school at what later became Maxwell Air Force Base.

 

Williams, who teaches media history and other classes in Samford’s journalism and mass communication department, was born at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, the Wright brothers’ home.  She has been interested in Wright brothers history for many years.