What substance was used to write the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence, derived from wasp activity?

What substance was used to write the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence, derived from wasp activity?

• A. Iron gall ink
• B. Charcoal ink
• C. Sepia ink
• D. Carbon ink

Answer: (A)

The substance is iron gall ink. It’s made from tannins found in oak galls, which are growths caused by wasp activity on oak trees. These galls provide the key tannins used to form iron gall ink when they’re combined with iron salts and a binder. This ink was the standard for important documents because it writes a dark, durable line on parchment, which is why it was used to draft the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. The other inks come from charcoal, sepia (cuttlefish ink), or carbon soot, none of which involve wasp-induced galls.

The substance is iron gall ink. It’s made from tannins found in oak galls, which are growths caused by wasp activity on oak trees. These galls provide the key tannins used to form iron gall ink when they’re combined with iron salts and a binder. This ink was the standard for important documents because it writes a dark, durable line on parchment, which is why it was used to draft the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. The other inks come from charcoal, sepia (cuttlefish ink), or carbon soot, none of which involve wasp-induced galls.