One Photograph Was All He Needed | Kitty Hawk, NC
Before December 17, 1903, John T. Daniels had never used a camera and after that date, he would never use one again. As a member of a local life saving station who had been helping out with the Wright Brothers’ attempts at flight, John was one of just five people present on the day when Wilbur and Orville made history. Before the first flight attempt, Orville Wright handed Mr. Daniels a camera and asked him to take a photograph of what was to happen. In the midst of excitement, he pressed the shutter creating one of the most important images of all time.
Later that day, a gust of wind would topple the Wright Flyer-I, destroying it and injuring John T. Daniels at the same time. He would later describe himself as ‘a survivor of the first plane crash.’ He died on January 31, 1948, the day after Orville Wright passed. With just one image in his portfolio, John T. Daniels goes down as one of the most important photographers in history. One photograph was all he needed.
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