Chicago, April 14, 1905
I have yours of 12th, and wish you to thank Orville warmly for me for sending the translation.
You don't know how much I have been amused by Archdeacon's letter, which I return. First the French said that they would not copy servilely, but would improve on American practice; then, on trial, they concluded that we were liars, and so hinted in newspapers.
I am curious to know what you answered to Archdeacon. I suppose that if the restriction were removed requiring the one kilometer circling flight to be made in France you might allow one or two judges to come over to see you win the $10,000 prize. I don't think they would accept.
My idea about the upstroke of the bird's wing is that the pressure on the under side due to the speed is diminished (hence the bird descends) and that an upward motion is imparted to the air rushing past the lower surface. Hence the downstroke encounters air which has a diagonal motion due to forward & upward movement. I send a few clippings (which please return) that may interest you. Archdeacon evidently tried to improve on Avery's experiments but got frightened at the last moment and sent the machine up without an operator!