What means did the Wright Brothers use to determine which of them would pilot their first flight?

Wilbur (1867-1912) and Orville (1871-1948) Wright are the American aviation pioneers credited with inventing, building, and flying the world's first successful motor-operated airplane. The brothers made the first controlled, sustained flight of a powered aircraft near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, U.S.A., on December 17, 1903.

Wilbur and Orville began experimenting with flight in 1899. At the time, earlier (failed) attempts made by others had relied on brute power to keep their heavy machines aloft. The Wrights believed that humans needed to actually control the machines, not just ride along.

Wilbur said "It is possible to fly without motors, but not without knowledge and skill." The brothers designed, build and repeatedly flew three manned gliders from 1900–1902, training themselves as pilots before starting work towards powered flight.

The Wrights finished their first powered aircraft, which they dubbed the “Wright Flyer”, in 1903. Once the brothers were ready to test the craft, they tossed a coin to decide who would get to fly it first. Wilbur, the older brother, won the coin toss, but missed out on being first to fly when he oversteered, climbed too steeply, stalled out the motor, and dove into the sand.

Three days later (after repairs) Orville got his turn at flying and achieved success. Wilbur’s second flight was also successful; he flew 852 feet in less than a minute.

The Wright Flyer can be viewed at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.