The Wrights did novel and indispensable practical research on airfoils and what can actually generate lift. The "theoretical" understanding of fluid dynamics and lift before them was quite wrong... because no one had tested it. So too they solved the problems of aerodynamic stability and how to effect control through numerous experiments.
They also had plenty of engineering challenges, such as structure and power and skin and how to activate control surfaces. But to consider what they did to be a mere "engineering problem" is bollocks.
They also had plenty of engineering challenges, such as structure and power and skin and how to activate control surfaces. But to consider what they did to be a mere "engineering problem" is bollocks.