Wilbur Wright to Octave Chanute

Dayton, March 19, 1901

Can you give us any advice in regard to anemometers for field use? Last year we did our experimenting close to the Weather Bureau Station, but this year we will probably locate too far away to utilize the government anemometer there. We wish to get an instrument that is portable and readily handled. What do you think of the merits of a pressure gauge, as compared with a cup machine, for the kind of work we are doing? Is not the standard Robinson anemometer too slow in responding to changes in wind velocity to give accurate results when the object is to measure the lift, drift, and wind velocity at a given moment? An instrument which would show fluctuations in velocity corresponding to the fluctuations in drift would be desirable if such can be had.

The photo enclosed shows our machine flying as a kite. The view is from the side and front.


The Wright 1900 glider flying as a kite

Chanute's response, March 26, 1901