Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-04-23
Wonderful Varieties.

~ oNS'ii9 W nv iSti'Ah hNb ~ S5JHlIC-
man the other day. that about every
hing we have now, except what we eat,
is made out of celluloid.' An investga-
ton of the subject almost tends to per-
,uade one that this statement is scarcely
exaggerated. Although celluloid was
invented nine or ten yeats ago (hy two
prOthers named Hyatt), its perfected man
uftcture has been regularly in progress
Ior only about five years. and is consider
ed to be sill in its infancy, yet immense
quantities of the substance are produced,
1t is converted into wonderful variety OF
forms, and new modes of applying it are
discovered almost daily.
Celluloid is Il composition of fine tissue
paper and camphor, treated with chem
reals by Il patented process. A rather
common impression that it contains gun
cotton is II mistake which arises from con-
founding it with collodion. CeluIoid, it
is said, is entirely non-explosive, and
burns only when in direct contact with
flame, When crude it looks like trans
parent gum, and its color is Il light brown.
1t can be made rs hard as ivory, but is
always Elastic. and can be readily modelled
INTO every conceivable form. With equal
ease it ctn be colored in any tint desired,
the dye running through the entire sub
stance, and being, therefore, inctftceable.
All the ccllulod made is produced by
single company, with factories in New
ark, n. j. This company makes only the
raw material, which it sells TO various
manufacturing companies for SO much per
pound and royalty on their net sales.
No one can buy it unless the producing
company decides to give him license,
which is granted only for the purpose of
making some new article that will not in
terlere with tho trade of the companies
already licensed. A number of large cor
porations are new engaged in the various
branches of manufacture for which cellu
loid cIn be employed Most Of these have
their factories in Newark. but there is one
large establishment in Center street. this
CITY.
The cost of the crude article to the buy
ers is regulated by the producing compa-
ny according to the use 10 be made of it
and the competition met with in other
materials For instance. 81 or So per
pound are charged for celluoid which is
TO be made into jewery, while only s.
are charged if it is designed for umbrella
handles, though there is no difference in
the quality OF the substance. In conse
quence of this system there is Il similar
wide variation in the cost of the manuiac-
tured articles.
AS close imitation of ivory. celluloid
has made inroads in the business of the
ivory manufact urers. Its makers assert
that in durability it is much superior TO
ivory, us it sustains hard knocks without
i jury, and is not discolored by age or use
Great quantities of it are used for piano
! and organ keys, to the manufacture OF
which one company is devoted. So ex.
tensive is its use for this purpose that the
ivory manufacturers have reduced their
price for keys below that of celulod, in
the hope of checking the competition. at
is only II question oil who can hold out the
longest" said IL celluloid manufacturer;
but we can make our own elephants
and the ivory men have got to catch
theirs"
Billiard balls are made of celluoid at
half price Of ivory, and are said to be
equally elastic, while more durable
| Large amounts are used for combs of every
variety, for the backs of brushes and
hand-mirrors, and for all kinds of toilet
articles which ivory is employed for. Even
| Il hne-tooth COMB made OF celulold is 20
per cent cheaper than ivory, while in
large pieces, such rs the backs of hand.
glasses, the difference in price is enormous.
Among many other articles in which GEL
Iuloid takes the place of ivory or India
rubber. are whip, cane and umbrella
handles, every kind of harness trimmings,
footrues, chess men and the handles of
knives and forks. Its use in cutlery is
said to be especially durable, as it is not
cracked or discolored by hot water.
India rubber, us II general rule. holds
It's ground against celuIoid, as the latter
can not be sold SO cheaply. The celluloid
is said to be much more durable, however,
and it is superior for pencil Gases, jewelry,
ETC., where gold mounlings are used, as
it does not tarnish the metal. whereas the
sulphur in the India rubber furnishes gold
which is less than eighteen carats fine.
The freedom of celluloid from sulphur.
and the natural fiesh-color which can be
impaired to it. have caused it to bc exten.
sively substituted for India rubber IN the
manufacture Of dental blanks, or the gums
| and other attachments af artificial teeth