More impulsive than his contemplative, thoughtful older brother, Orville had boundless curiosity and energetically pursued a range of interests. His mind was quick, and he was always coming up with new inventions. While pursuing the airplane was initially Wilbur’s idea, Orville’s enthusiasm and optimism were often what carried them through to solutions of difficult technical problems.

Orville showed an interest in technology and science early in life. He was always performing experiments and dismantling things to find out how they worked. He fit the stereotype of the budding inventor far more than Wilbur.

Orville was as bright as his brother, but he could be mischievous in the classroom and did not always apply himself fully. His work habits improved in high school. But instead of following the prescribed junior-year curriculum, he opted for a series of advanced college preparatory courses. As a result, he would not qualify for his high school degree at the end of his senior year, so he decided not to attend school that term. He never graduated.

Despite his lack of interest in formal credentials, Orville, like Wilbur, was committed to broad learning and supplemented his schooling with a great deal of private study. The brothers in fact had an education comparable to a modern four-year college degree.

Orville was charming and an interesting conversationalist with family and close friends, as well as an incorrigible practical joker. But unlike the outgoing Wilbur, he was painfully shy among strangers. Wilbur always represented the brothers publicly.