A NEGLECTED TREASURE.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Volume 3, Issue 141, 19 June 1880, Page 2

A NEGLECTED TREASURE.

The Midland Instituto, whose headquarters are at Birmingham, have laid the country nt large under a heavy obligation, by bringing into greater prominence, as far as Englishmen am con- , cerned, one of the most remarkable and wonderful substances which modern scientific knowledge, patient investigation, and laborious experiment have combined to snatch from nature's secrets. At a recent meeting of the Institute there .were exhibited for the inspection of the members specimens of a new substauee which is calculated to effect a complete revolution in many departments of the industrial world. When it is stated to what a multiplicity cf uses this new substance can be put—that a perfect billiard-ball can be made of it as well as an irreproachable shirt-collar; that it cau be used for the manufacture of nil kinds of jewellery, and applied in another of its many forms as an excellent varnish; that it can bo used indifferently for the manufacture of "patent leather" boots and musical instruments, such as flutes and flageolets; that it can be carriod in the pockot as an outer case of a chronometer, or worn on the head as a hatband; and that the discovery of this wonderful substance was made so far back as 1855, it becomes one of the enigmas of the day that the public have heard so little and kuow so little of it as they do. The substance has been variously called " Parkesiue," " Nitro-cellulosp," " Celluloid," "Xylonite," and "American ivory," but the first of these fanciful names is its original, and it ought to be considered its most appropriate designation. It is the discovery of Mr. Alexander Parkes, of Birmingham, and the natnn " Farkesine" was given to it by a French gentleman at the Paris Exhibition in 1807, since which time it has come largely into use in France and America, though, singularly enough, the attempts which have been made to popularize it among Mr. Parkes' own countrymen have not been rewarded with any large measure of success. Parkesine was discovered through the attention of Mr. Parkes being directed to the peculiar properties of nitro- cellulose pyroxyline, or guncotton, which is composed of disintegrated cotton fibre, treated with nitric and sulphuric acids. Mr. Parkes, more than thirty years ago, set himself to discover whether this destructive agent could not be combined with other substances so as.to make it applicable to the arts of peace. After thousands of experiments and several years spent in patient labour, he succeeded in his task, and in tho year 18-35 took out his first patent. Celluloid is formed of divided cotton

waste, or similar substance, dissolved in one or more of the following solvents: —vegetable nnptlia, nitro-benzole, cam|vW, alwlmhnl. and glaolul noetic tioid. Sufficient of these solvents is used to make a soft, plastic mass, which is then or subsequently subjected to hydraulic pressure, and mixed with oils, gums, and colours. By this means any degree of hardness or flexibility can be given to it, and it can be made white and transparent or to vie in brilliaucy of colour with the most fashionable aniline dyes. It can be made as hard as ivory—-harder, we might say, for I'arkesino billiard balls will stand more knocking about than ivory .ones—or retained in so soft a condition as to be spread in layers over textile fabrics much in the same way that paint is laid on a door or a signboard. The substance is water proof, acid proof, and air proof. It can be worked in a soluble, plastic, or solid stute. It can be pressed and stamped, planed as wood, turned in a lathe, cut with a saw, carved, iulaid, woven into fabrics, and, as has already been stated, applied us a varnish. It can be made either transparent or opaque, and is capable of bearing a high polish. When dyed, the dye runs through the wholo substance, and cannot, consequently, bo rubbed or washed oIF. "When specimens of the material were exhibited at the Paris Exhibition it attracted the attention of visitors from across the Atlantic. Their keen perceptions were not slow to appreciate its boundless applicability,and the American Celluloid Company was established, who sell the crude material to those in America engaged in tho production of finished goods. As showing the extent to which their * 'cutoness " has boon rewarded, it may be stated that last year thoir profits from the sale of tho crude material, and of licenses to use it, were no less than £200,000. Of tho innumerable articles which aro made in America and Franco (in tho latter conntry a company has since purchased rights from tho American company, on condition that American celluloid is not sent to Europe), wo may enumerate a few. In its application to cutlery, in the shape of handles for knives and forks in lieu of ivory, celluloid is especially valuable, on account of not being liable to bo cracked or discoloured byhot water, Tho diversity of its application is perhaps its most remarkable foaturo. Shoemakers have used it for insoles and shoe tips, niul opticians have formed it into frames for spectacles and opera glasses. Cuffs, collars, and shirt-fronts havo been made of it, and in unothor state it has boon employed for making emery wheels and knife sharpeners. Dentists uso it in tho manufacture of gums and other attachments of artificial lentil, and musical instrument makers find it a most'useful material from which to mako flutes, fifes, and piccolos. Drumheads made from it are superior to thoso made of parchment, as it is not affected by moisture in tho atmosphere. It is extensively used for all kinds of harness trimmings, and the fair box has not despised it in tho shape of bracelets and

ear-rings. It has" bean made toelos(,lv imitate tortoiseshell, coral, jet, malachite and amlier. As a ground for painting' it has all the advantages of ivory, photographs taken on it are saiil t 0 l snperior to ivory types. Piano and or» au keys are largely made from it: and as a substitute for porcelain celluloid is USe ,| for the heads of dolls, which can bo ham. rnered against a hard floor without danger of fracture. "When made into a collar it has the appearance of well-starched linen is light and flexible, does not wrinkle j' not'affcctcd by perspiration, and can bo worn for months without injury, all that is required for its continual use bein« the application of a little soap and wator to keep it clean. Amongst other articles made from Parkesine, and included jn the exhibition Mr. A. Parkas made at the Midland Institute, there may u enumerated the following:—Tubes f or philosophical, optical, and surgical in. struments; mathematical scales, gauges clock dials, scale pius, picture frames' button boxes, taps, biooohos, buckles' ringer plates, typo, stereotype plates photograph cases, card cases, book covers, portmounais, ladies' companions trays and taps for acids, waiters, card plates, necklaces, cameos, medallions carvings, chessman, draughts, lockets' telegraph insulators, voltaic battery cells, capsuled bottles, workboxes, desks writing and dressing cases, pinion wheels skates, wall " paper " in various designs' and colours; imitation linen, calico, felt and wood, veneered sheets in imitation of inalaohite, lapis lazuli, marble, and wood for marqueteiie, furniture, carriage panels cabins of steamers, etc. If Parkesino ean be used for all these purposes thero is hardly any necessity to say to what other uses it can be put. Recently, Mr. Henry Parkes, brother of the inventor of celluloid, has patented a great improvement in its economical production, and a company, called the British Celluloid Company, is being formed to carry out these and other improvements made bv Mr. Alexander Parkes 1 , and to establish a celluloid industry similar to that which exists in America and France. It is a strange commentary on English enter, prise that so far the results of this valuable substitute for natural products have been almost entirely shared between America and France; but it is to he hoped that the extensive works which we believe will before long be started in Birmingham for the manufacture of Parkesine celluloid will help to recover the prestige that English enterprise has already lost in allowing this beautiful ami important industry sn far to slip through its fingers.— European Mail.