Wright accomplishments that were crucial to making a working airplane:

1. First propeller theory, which got them a propeller that was 90% efficient rather than the 50% efficiency of contemporary propellers. The theory has only been slightly improved today.

2. First 3 axis control system, copied by everyone else. Yes, ailerons are a better system, but it's the same idea.

3. First aviation engine with a power/weight ration double anyone else's.

4. First research and development project where the problems of flight were identified and then prototypes developed to solve each of the problems.

5. Extensive use of a wind tunnel to determine the optimal cross-section shape of the wing.

6. Use of calculations to determine the size and lift of the wing, and how much power was needed from the engine.

All airplane designs trace their lineage back to the 1903 Flyer, not anybody else's airplane.