Catapult Assisted Takeoff Starting Device

This picture taken at Huffman Prairie Flying Field located about eight (8) miles Northeast of downtown Dayton, Ohio.  This Field is where the Wright Brothers perfected the art of flying.  The Catapult Assisted Starting Device was required when the Wright Brothers moved from Kitty Hawk to this Field.   The prevailing wind would constantly change directions, requiring them to move this track all the time.  The starting device worked by using a team of horses to pull a 1600-pound counterweight to the top of the wooden derrick.  When the weight fell sixteen (16) feet, it added enough speed to get a flying machine airborne regardless of wind direction.  This also minimized the length of track to 60 feet also.  The one pictured here is a replica.