JIM SPENCE, a.k.a. ORVILLE WRIGHT America’s ONLY “Orville”

Impersonator

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Jim Spence has been performing for audiences for most of his life.

As “Orville”, he has been performing for businesses, associations and schools since 1992. His speeches are a combination of History, Inspiration and Flag-Waving.

He was introduced to flying in 1947 when his uncle built an airplane from a kit. Jim’s mother sewed the material for the wings and fuselage. His uncle took Jim for a ride… and even let him fly the plane for about 30 seconds.

Reading books on flying, Jim dreamed of being a licensed pilot by the age of fifteen, but this was not to be. He was stricken with polio at thirteen. Doctors told him he would “never walk, use your right arm or stand straight again”. Miraculously, he recovered and went on to play football, softball and track. He has water skied, snow skied, scuba dived and climb mountains. Jim has done just about everything people told him he couldn’t do. In his mid-twenties, he again longed to fly. He did, only this time he “flew” as a skydiver.

Jim spent eleven years in the Navy’s music program. As an instructor and musician, he performed before groups in excess of 1500. While stationed in Japan for two and a half years, Jim learned to speak their language. In 1972, he designed and developed “stereo sound” for television.

Since 1992, Jim has spoken before groups throughout America about aviation history, inspiration, and patriotism. In his studies of the “First Man to Fly”, Jim has managed to capture the “essence” of Orville Wright who, since 1903, people throughout the world have praised.

Jim can easily project himself into the persona of Orville because of the similar lives each lead:

BOTH

Were given a “taste” of flight at age seven.	Spoke a foreign language.
Are about 5’7” tall.	Were inventors.
Have the same hairstyle, color, and loss.	Had very religious parents.
Had a life threatening illness.	Had fathers gone long periods of time.
Were active in sports and music.	Were from low-income families.
Were independent businessmen.	Were their mothers fourth child.
Had inventions that were laughed at.	Were reared mainly by their mother.

Jim has always felt that everyone has a purpose for being here, and he continually strives to achieve new and higher goals. Jim Spence is an achiever, doing what doctors said couldn’t be done.

Orville Wright, also an achiever, aspired to do something that no human had ever done ... fly. Jim, as Orville, goes one step further. He shows you what dreams can do, through the eyes of the man who did.

When Jim stands before your organization “as” Orville, they will understand what he accomplished. They will come away with memories, and a dream that will follow them for years to come. Once you hear “Orville”, you will leave with a feeling of pride; pride in this country, pride in yourself and the reassurance that it is still ok to dream about the “what ifs… ?”

"Jim was clearly A BIG HIT with adults and kids alike. Jim did a marvelous job of capturing the moment with a mixture of wit and inspiration, awe, and a sense of history. Terrific”.

David Langstaff, President

SRL Corporation

A Kite making workshop. Here is how to fly it. Mass launch of 85 Sled Kites

Jim and Orville Wright are kindred spirits.

Jim is a Story Teller, Writer, Entertainer, Historian, and Achiever. He is the ONLY re-enactor in America performing “as” Orville Wright, the first person to make a controlled flight in a "heavier-than-air flying machine".

In his studies of the "First Man To Fly", Jim has captured the essence of this historical member of the famed 1903 Wright Brothers, whom people throughout the world have praised.

Jim truly believes that every person’s life has a purpose. He continually strives for newer and higher goals. Orville aspired to do something that no one had ever accomplished… FLY. Jim, as Orville, goes one step further. He demonstrates how the Wright Brothers reached their goals. With Orville's insights, Jim shows how yesterday’s dreams can become today’s realities.

Jim Spence's "Orville Wright" imparts to any audience dramatic, unforgettable memories, and dreams to inspire their future. Audiences, both large and small, always enjoy having him tie aviation history to entrepreneurship and old-fashioned Americanism.

Professional Speaker; Historian; Writer

1320 Glenview St., Reynoldsburg, OH 43068

Phone: (614) 861-6364; Fax: (614) 860-9558

E-mail address: orvrght@att.net

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