The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-09-07
OELLULOID.

Few persons are aware of the great ex.
tent of the manufacture of this article and
Of the multiplied uses to which it is ap.
piled. We condense the following account
from the Newark, N. j., Daily Advertiser:
Celluloid was invented by Messrs. /. s.
and j. w. Hyatt, of this city. Mr. J. W
Hyatt began the experiments which led
to its discovery in 1864, being prompted
to do so by the fact that Phelan & Col.
lander, Of New York, had offered SIC, OOO
for substitute for ivory in the manufae.
ture of billiard balls He was not success
full until 1868, when he produced a sub
stance similar to celluloid, of which bill
lard balls were made. Not satisfied with
this he continued his experiments, and his
brother, Mr.. l. S. Hyatt, became engaged
with him, and their experiments were con
tinued until the spring of 1870, when they
produced the substance now known as eel
luloid, which is understood to be mainly q
composition of cotton, nitric acid and
camphor. 1t forms a most successful sub
stitute for ivory, and is basis for the i'm.
itation of coral and other valuable mate
rails for ornament and use, the latest ap-
plication being the imitation of linen
collars, cuffs and neckties. In July, 1870
patent was obtained, and in the fall q
company under the name of the Celluloid
Manufacturing Company was organized in
Albany under the laws of the State Of
New York, with a capital of 900
about $50 900 being paid in. The Albany
stockholders were subsequently bought out
by New York capitalists, the late Marshall
Lefferts being at the head, and the works
of the company removed to this city. The
business of the company has been steadily
increasing, new branches of manufacture
have been started, and its capital stock
now $500, 900, is returning large dividend:
to its holders
Some idea of the immense business done
may be formed when it is stated that they
make from two to three tons of piano keys
alone in a month These keys are made
in sheets large enough to cover the key
board, and then the keyboard and key:
are sawed apart together, instead of saw,
ing the keyboard apart first and then &C.
menting the keys on separately, as former.
ly done.
The first articles ever made of celuloid
were dental blanks or plates for false
teeth. This is now a large branch of the
business. Harness trimmings came next
and then knife handles and trusses, and
after these jewelry and a host of other ar.
ticles, among which may be mentioned
piano keys, cane, umbrella and parasOI
handles, brushes and combs, billiard balls
carriage trimmings, pencil cases, penhold
ers, collars and cuffs, neckties, thimbles
card cases, cigar cases, book covers, pocket
books, pistol handles and paper knives
All articles in ivory, tortoise shell and jet
are closely initiated.
There are at present four wealthy and
prosperous companies engaged in the man.
ufaetuTe of eelluloid in this city as we'll q:
three firms or inG 'Aklals, and the amount
of capital invested in the business here j:
about 81 100000 The number Of arti
cles made out of celluloid is constantly in.
creasing, and during the past year no les:
than twelve patents we're taken out fol
additional improvements in the manufae-
ture, new articles and machinery, to BE-
used in this growing branch of industry