You haven't even gotten started on what they did wrong:the Wright Flyer
They did not have a Certificate of Registration.
They did not have a Certificate of Airworthiness.
They did not have a current annual.
They did not have any airframe and engine logbooks.
They did not have a compass.
They did not have a pilot's certificate of any kind.
They did not have a pilot medical.
They did not hold a valid A&P/IA certificate.
Really, given all of the above, the Wright Brothers should have been thrown in jail for quite a number of years for daring to commit the Sin of Aviation (tm). Landing flapless is pretty small beer, compared to all their many other offenses.
Oh goodie. Can I talk about what a nutjob Hughes now? Again, given what else he did (and was accused of), flaps vs no flaps would be a fart in a windstorm for Howard Hughes.Spruce Goose?