The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-02-27
Ceuuloid.

THE GREAT VARIETY OF ITS USES-A SUB
sTITuTE FOR IVORY, SHELL, CORAL, AM
Der. MALACAITE, PARCHMENT. LEATH-
Err AND LINEN.
SIT seems to me-" remarked a gentleman
the other day, ''that about everything we
have now, except what we eat, is made OF
cellploid." An investigation OF the subject
almost tends to persuade one that this state
meut is scarcely exaggerated. Although
celluioid was invented nine or ten years ago
(by two brothers named Hyatt its perfected
manufacture has been regularly in progress
for. only about five years, and is considered
to be still in its infancy; yet immense guam
titles of the substance are produced, 1t is
converted into wonderful variety OF forms,
and new modes of applying it are discover
ed almost daily.
Celuloid is composition of fine tissue pa
per and camphor, treated with chemicals by
patented process. A rather common i'm
preston that it contains gun-cotton is mis-
take whsch arises from confounding it with
collodon. Celluoid, it is said, is entirely
non.explosive, and burns only when in di-
rect contact with flame. When crude it
looks like transparent gum, and its color
is a light yellow-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, therefore,
ineffaceable.
All the celluloid made is produced by a
single company, with factories in Newark,
N. j. This company makes only the raw
material, which it sells to various manufac-
turing companies for so much per pound and
a royalty on their net sales. No one can
buy it unless the producing company de-
cides to give him license, which is granted
only for the purpose Of making some new
articles that will not interfere with the trade
of the company already licensed. A mum.
Der Of large corporations are now engaged
| in the various branches of manufacture for
which celluoid can be employed. Most Of
these have their factories in Newark, but
IE6TG Is Ott idISS CStau'SuiiICht III Sculi
street, New York.
The cost of The crude article to the buyers
is regulated by the producing company &C.
cording to the use to be made of it and the
competition met with in other materials. -
For instance, 81 or S. per pound are charg
ed for celluloid which is to be made in tc
jewelry, while only 50 are charged If it is
designated for umbrella handles, though
there is no difference in the quality of the
substance. In consequence OF :his system
there is a similar wide variation in the cosl
of the manufactured articles.
AS close imitation of ivory, celluloid has
made great inroads in the business Of the
ivory manufacturers. Its makers assert hal
in durability it is much superior to ivory, a!
it sustains hard Knocks without injury, ant
is not discolored by aye or use. Great guam
| titles OF it are used for piano and organ key!
to The manufacture of which one company Il
devoted. So extensive is its use for th
purpose that the ivory manufacturers have
reduced their prices for keys below that o
celluloid, in the hopes of checking the com
petition. SIT is only question of who car
hold out the longest said celluloid man.
ufacturer; ''but we can make our own ele
plants, and the ivory men have got to catcl
theirs.''
Billiards balls are made of celluloid at bal
the price Of ivory, and are said to be equal.
elastic, while more durable. Large amount
are used fo- combs of every variety, for tn
backs OF brushes and hand mirrors, and 10
all kinds of toilet articles which ivory is EN-
ployed for. Even fine-tooth comb mad
of celluloid is twenty five per centum cheap
er than ivory, while in large pieces, such
the backs OF hand-glasses, the differe uce il
price is enormous. Among many other al
ticles in which celuloid takes the place
ivory or india-rubber, are whip, cane ant
umbrella handles, every kind of harnes
trimmings, foot rules, chessmen ard the han
dies of knives and forks. Its use in cutler
is said to be especially desirable, as it is nc
cracked or discolored by hot water.
India.rubber, as general rule, holds it
ground against celluloid, as the latter car
not be sold SO .cheaply. The celluloid
said to be much more durable. however, an
it is superior for spencil cases, jewelry &c
where gold mountings are used, as it doe
not tarnish the metal, whereas the sulphu
in india-rubber furnishes gold that is les
than eighteen carats fine. tThe freedom
celuloid from sulphur, ard the natural fes
color that can be impaired to it, have cause
it to be extensively substituted for lndla-rut
Der ia the manufacture of dental blanks,
the gums and other attachments OF artifici'
teeth.
Cellnloid ear he notified so as to initial