What principle of flight did the Wright Brothers utilize to improve lift?

The correct answer revolves around the camber of the wings, which refers to the curvature of the wing's surface. The Wright Brothers understood that a wing with a specific camber could manipulate airflow and the resulting pressure differentials, thus improving lift. By designing their wings with an optimal camber, they could create a lower pressure area above the wing and a higher pressure area beneath it, generating lift as per Bernoulli's principle.

In the context of the other principles mentioned, while the angle of attack, thrust-to-weight ratio, and airfoil shape all play significant roles in flight mechanics, they do not specifically highlight the importance of wing curvature as the camber does. Angle of attack involves the angle between the wing and the oncoming air, influencing lift but relying heavily on wing shape and camber for effectiveness. The thrust-to-weight ratio relates to the balance of forces in flight but does not directly affect how lift is created through the wing's design. Airfoil shape encompasses both camber and the overall design of the wing but does not focus exclusively on the curvature aspect that directly influences lift enhancement. Thus, camber stands out as a crucial element the Wright Brothers utilized to develop more efficient lift in their aircraft.