Wright Brothers took a risk and build first planes but didn't have to lie that their planes already left the ground before they did.
They didn't claim "it would fly a year from now", they just build it over and over until it flew.
They were optimistic and yet they found a way to be optimistic without claiming anything untruthful.
Clément Ader, on the other hand, claimed that his innovation flew, and was ridiculed when he couldn't proof it.
One look at their works and it's clear who influenced modern planes, and who didn't.
The Wright Brothers are infamous for failing to industrialize their invention -- something that notoriously requires investors and hype. Perhaps they wouldn't have squandered their lead if they had been a bit more public with their hopes and dreams.
They were optimistic and yet they found a way to be optimistic without claiming anything untruthful.
Clément Ader, on the other hand, claimed that his innovation flew, and was ridiculed when he couldn't proof it.
One look at their works and it's clear who influenced modern planes, and who didn't.