How did the Wright Brothers' first airplane take off and land?

As you said, they used a monorail for launches. The aircraft was pulled forward by a pulley which was connected to a weight which hung from a derrick. read more

It is commonly claimed that the Wright brothers invented aircraft. However, it has also been claimed that Santos Dumont did. read more

The Wright brothers, Orville (August 19, 1871 – January 30, 1948) and Wilbur (April 16, 1867 – May 30, 1912), were two American aviators, engineers, inventors, and aviation pioneers who are generally credited with inventing, building, and flying the world's first successful airplane. read more

Most aviation historians believe the Wright Brothers met the criteria to be considered the inventors of the first successful airplane before Santos-Dumont because the Wright Flyer was heavier-than-air, manned and powered, able to take off and land under its own power and controllable along three axes in order to avoid crashes. read more