Octave Chanute to Wilbur Wright

Chicago, March 16, 1905

The original English of the passage on page 331 of Moedebeck's book is as follows: "They discarded the tail and substituted therefor a hinged horizontal rudder at the front, set at a negative angle of 7º, which could easily be operated by the aviator while under way. Their theory was that the man should constantly balance and guide the machine by the action of the rudder , steering to the right or left by warping one wing or the other; light strings leading to his hands for that purpose. Figure 105 shows this apparatus in the air."

I think that I sent you a copy of the article from California, Feb. 13th, 1902. You suggested a few verbal changes which I made and sent to Moedebeck. I also sent you the revision and completion of the article, July 17th, 1902.

Would personal influence at Berlin be of value to you? Major Moedebeck would (I think) be very glad to exert it, and I know a past employe of the patent office (Mr. Geo. Hirschfeld) whom I might write to.

Octave Chanute to Wilbur Wright, March 16, 1905