sentences:  According to Alistair W. Blair and Alistair Smith in "The Pioneer Flying Achievements of Preston Watson", James Watson began collating information on the claim in a letter to the Science Museum, London dated 21 October 1949.In the 15 December 1953 issue of the "Manchester Guardian" newspaper, James had an article published referencing the claim, although it wasn't the first public acknowledgement of it.Following this, James Watson approached the Royal Aeronautical Society via a joint dinner with the Royal Aero Club at the Dorchester Hotel, London, commemorating 50 years since the Wright Brothers' first powered flight on 17 December 1903, with evidence, including photographs and eye-witness accounts that Preston Watson flew a powered aeroplane before the Wright Brothers.