Chicago, November 4, 1905
I find in "Workshop Receipts"' the following.1 Waterproof. Glue to which bichromate of potash has been added, and which has after wards been exposed to strong sunlight, becomes insoluble. The proportions are not very well ascertained, but about 1 part of the bichromate, dissolved in water, and added to a solution of 6 parts of solid glue, answers very well."
I am reminded however that Geo. M. Sterne & Son, Rooms 16 17 18, Rialto Building, Chicago, gave me a year or so ago three samples of their waterproof glue, prepared from corn, which they desired us to test for our timber treating process.
These samples I have hunted up, and I herewith mail them to you, enclosing with this the printed directions for using this glue. If upon testing you find this to be the material you need, please let me know and I will procure more for you.
The weather is favorable for flying experiments here today, and I hope you have been able to make your record.
1 "Workshop Receipts" apparently refers to Chanute's own notebook or file of shop recipes; no publication of this name is known to exist. This letter answers a question, which must have been raised by the Wrights when Chanute visited them in Dayton on October 31, 1905, regarding a suitable sizing material for doping the fabric used in the wings and control surfaces of the Wright machine, which had hitherto been covered with untreated muslin.