Wrights worked out the formulae for aeronautics. If anybody did fly before them, where are their formulae? Guys like Chanute made some nice human-carrying kites, but it was hit or miss. If anybody wants to pick another, earlier name, then I'll toss in my best guess: **Daedalus**. No, earlier was Jason the Argonaut's wife **Medea**. She flew home to Asia after Jason did her wrong. Asia was so impressed, a race called themselves the Medes in Persia. She was good. Her means of flight are not known. The tale of Medea rings of truth, as the tale puts the hero, Jason, in bad light. Fables never make the hero look like a jerk, but historic recordings can. Medea gets my vote.