Chicago, August 17, 1903
I duly received yours of 2d inst. and have been busy with tie preserving.
I send herewith a synopsis of the glides of 1896 with the doubledecked machine, in the shape in which I understand you to want them. The speed of the wind was measured at the top of the hill only, and only once or twice. There was a zone of calmer air about halfway down the hill, which latter was rather abrupt.
I have a letter from L'Aerophile asking for photographs of yourself and brother, together with "a few biographical notes for insertion in the series of portraits of contemporaneous aeronauts." I know both of you to be so modest that I believe that this request will be most unwelcome; yet you may conclude to furnish the information. The paper generally publishes about a page of notice with each portrait. Please advise me.
I have been intending to take up some of the points made in your last three letters, but found that other engagements prevented.
The wind was 22.3 miles per hour (uncorrected) in the forenoon of Sep. 11, and measured 31 miles per hour (uncorrected) in the afternoon, at which time the glides with the double decked machine were made.
The wind on Sep. 12 measured 25 miles an hour (uncorrected) and was gusty.
The test of the anemometer in 1902 indicated that its readings should be multiplied by 0.81 to get the true velocity.
Wilbur Wright to Octave Chanute, August 23, 1903