Answer
The controversy intensified because of competing claims that Whitehead flew earlier than the Wright brothers. Whitehead's supporters alleged he had achieved powered flights in 1901 and 1902, basing this on accounts of his contemporaries. However, the lack of substantial documentation, including photographs or written records, hindered thorough verification of these claims. This sparked disagreements and discussions among individuals and researchers regarding the validity of Whitehead's flights, fueling the controversy.