Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1878-09-12
Celluloid.

Few persons are aware Of the great
extent of the manufacture of this ar.
ticie and of the multiplied uses
to which it is applied. we
condense the following account from
the New York Daily Advertiser
Celluloid was invented by Messrs.
L. S. and J. w. Hyatt of this city.
Mr.. J. W. Hyatt began the expert.
ments which lead to its discovery in
1854, being promoted to do SO by the
fact that Phelan 81 Collender of New
York had offered $4,000 for a SUBJ
stitute for livery in the manufacture of
billiard balls. He was not successful
until 1868, when he produced sub
stance similar to celluloid. of which
billiard balls were made. Not salts
he'd with this he continued his expert
ments, and his brother, Mr.. Is. Hyatt,
became engaged with him and their
experiments were continued until the
spring OF 1870, when they produced
the subsistence now known as celluloid
which is understood to be manly a
composition of cotton, nitric acid and
camphor. 1t forms a most successful
substitute for ivory, and is basis for
the imitation of coral and other valu-
able materials for ornament and use,
the latest application being the i'm
ltatlon OF linen collars, cuffs and neck
ties. In July, 1870, patent was OBJ
tanned, and in the fall a company un.
der the name of the Celluloid Manu-.
featuring Company was organized in
Albany under the laws of the State OF
New York, with a capital OF $780,
600, about $4,000 being paid in. The
Albany stockholders were subse
quently 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 branch
es of manufacture have been started
and its capital stock, now $500, 900 Is
returning large dividends to its hold
ers.
Some idea of tho immense business
done may be formed when it is stated
that they make from two TO three tons
of piano keys alone in month. These
keys are made in sheets large enough
to cover the key board, and the key
board and keys are sawed apart to.
gether, instead of saving the key
board apart first and then cementing
keys on separately as formerly done.
The first articles ever made of cell
lulold were dental blanks or plates for
false teeth. This is now a large
branch of the business Harness trim
mings came next, then knife handles
and trusses, and after these jewairy,
and host of other articles. among
which may be mentioned piano keys,
cane, umbrella, and parasol handles,
brushes and. combs, billiard balls,
carriage trimmings, pencil cases, pen.
holders, collars and cuffs, neckties,
thimbles, card cases, cig:. cases,
book covers, pocket books, pistol han.
dies 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 manufacture of celluloid in this
city as well as three firms or individ-
uals.and the amount of capital invest
ed in the business here is about ST.
100000. The number OF articles
made ont of celluloid is constantly in
creasing, aud during the past year no
less than twelve patents were taken
out for additional improvements in
the manufacture, new articles and
machinery, to be used in this growing
branch Of industry.