Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-10-23
CEIlUl0lD.

Sl0ered 10 De III It's MANY Wv A
mense quantities OF the substance are
produced; it is converted into wonder.
iul variety of forms, and new modes oil
APPLYING il are discovered almost daily.
Celluloid is composition Of fine tbs
sue paper and camphor, treated with
chemicals by patent process. A rather
common impression that il contains gun
cotton is mistake, which arises from
compounding it with collodion. Cellu-
loid. il is said, is entirely non-explosiye,
and burns only when in direct contact
with flame. When crude it looks like a
Transparent gum, and its color is a light
brown. 1t can be made as hard as ivory,
but is always elastic, and can be readily
moulded into every conceivable form.
With equal ease it can be colored in any
tint desired, the dye running through
the entire substance, and being, there
fore, inetfaceable.
All the celluloid made is produced by
a single company, with factories IN New
ark, \. j. This company makes only
the raw material, which it sells to vari-
Gus manufacturing companies for so
much per pound and a royalty on their
net sales.
As an imitation OF ivory, celluloid has
made great inroads in the business OF
the ivory manufacturers. Its makers
assert that in durability it is much SUI
perior 10 ivory, as it sustains hard
knocks without injury and Is not ans
colOred by age or use. Great quahu-
ties OF it are used for piano and organ
KEYS. 10 the manufacture OF which one
company is devoted. So extensive IS
it's use for this purpose that the ivory
manufacturers have reduced their price
far below that of celluloid, in the hope
of checking the competition. 1T is only
a question OF who can hold ont longest,
said a celluloid manufacturer; but we
can make our own elephants, and the
ivory men have got TO catch theirs.
Billiard balls are made OF celluloid at
half the price of ivory, and are said to be
equally elastic, while more durable.
Large amounts are used for cOmos OF
every variety, for the backs OF brushes
and hand mirrors, and for all kinds of
toilet articles which ivory is employed
for. Even a fine-tooth comb made OF
celuloid is % per cent cheaper than
ivory, while in large pieces, such as the
backs of hand-glasses, the difference IN
price is enormous. Among many other
articles in which celluloid takes the
place of ivory or india-rubber, are whip,
cane and umbrella handles, every kind
of harness trimmings, foot-rules, chess
men, and the handles OF knives and
forks. Its use in cutlery is said TO be
especially desirable, as 1t is not cracked
or discOlOred by hot water.
India-rubber, as general rule, holds
its ground against celuloid, as the latter
cannot be sold so cheaply. The cellu-
loid is said TO be much more durable,
however, and it is superior for pencil
cases, iewelry, etc. where gold mountings
are used. and it does not tarnlsh the
metal, whereas the sulphur in india-rub-
Der furnishes gold which is less than Is
carats fine. The freedom OF cellulOid
from sulphur, and the natural flesh color
which can be impaired TO it, have caused
it TO be extensively substituted Tor in
dia-rubber in the manufacture OF dental
blocks, or the gums and other attach
ments of artificial teeth.
Celluloid can be notified so as to initiate
the finest tortoise-shell and its elastic
ty renders it much less liable to break
age. In this form it is used, like the
imitation ivory, for combs, card cases,
cigar cases, match-bOxes, pocketbOoks,
napin rings, jewelry, and all sorts OF
fancy articles. The substance is en-
plOyed for similar purposes as good
imitation of malaChIte and also OF amber.
III is made into mouthpieces for pipes,
cigar-holders and musical instruments,
and is used as the material in flutes,
flageolets and drumsticks. For drum
heads. is is said to be superior to parch-
ment, as it is not affected by moisture
in the atmosphere.
As a substitute for porcelain, cellu
loid is used for the heads OF dolls, which
can be hammered against hard floor
without danger of fracture. Beautiful
iewelrv is made OF it in imitation OF the
most deliberately carved coral, repro
ducing all the shades OF the genuine
article. Most of the coral tints are
bright or dark red, however, as the
makers, strange to say, have found that
excellent copies OF the costly pink coral
are not in popular demand.
One of the large manufacturing COM
panies is employed exclusively in the
making Of optical goods, using celluloid
i'm place of tortoise-shell, jet, etc, for
the frames of spectaCles, eye glasses and
opera glasses. The material is extern
sively used for shoe tips, having
the appearance of patent leather. BY
shoemakers it is also used for insoleS
Large quantities oil thimbles are made
of it, and it is said to be the best ma
terial known for emery-wheels and
knife-sharpeners. As ground for paint
lngs, celuloid has all the advantage OF
ivory, and photographs can be taken on
il which are alleged to be superior to
ivOry-types.
Within the last year a-half another
branch of celluloid manufacture has
been developed, which promises to
reach enormous proportions. This is
the use of cellulOid as n substitute Tor
linen or paper in the making OF shirt
cuffs. collars, etc. 1t has the appear
ance of well starched linen, is sufficient
lv light and flexible, does not wrinkle, is
not affected by perspiration, and can
be worn for months without injury. 1t
becomes soiled much less readily than
linen, and when dirty is quickly cleans
by the application of little soap and
water WIFI spullSC VI ioS' VI
ers and for wear in hot weather this ce'-
luloid linen is specially convenient. 1t
has lately been much improved by the
introduction of real linen between two
thicknesses OF celluloid. Shirt-tronts
have been made of it, as well as cuffs
and collars, and it is believed that these
will prove equa ly desirable.
Celluloid has been experimental with
as material Tor neckties, and although
the trials have not yet been very salts
factory, it is thought that they will
eventually be successful. For hat bands
and hat sweat bands il is tritie more
expensive than the material commonly
used, but it is said TO be better, as It
does not become rusty or greasy. Ut
has also been used lately for watch
paSpS