Marcus du Sautoy explores the symmetry of Stradivari
However, recent chemical analysis of Stradivari’s wood has thrown up an alternative suggestion that might actually be reproducible. Scientist have discovered that Stradivari treated his wood with complex preservatives containing aluminium, copper and zinc. This type of chemical seasoning was an unusual practice that was unknown to later generations of violin makers. In its current state, the wood of Stradivari’s violins has very different chemical properties to that used by the maker’s modern counterparts. This analysis opens up the possibility of resurrecting the seasoning Stradivari...
Source: thestrad.com