Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1879-10-21
MIscEILAHEo US.
CELLULOID.


8s THOUGH celluloid was invented n inc
sS or ten years ago (by two brothers named
Hyatt its projected manufacture has been
regularly in progress for only about Eve
years, aud is still considered to be in its in
fancy; yet immense quantities of the sub
stance are produced; it is converted into q
wonderful variety of forms, and new. modes
of applying it are discovered almost daily.
Celluloid is a composition of fine tissue
paper and camphor, treated with chemicals
by patent process. A rather common i'm
preston that it contains gun cotton is a mis-
take, which arises from confounding it with
collodion. Celluloid, it is said, is entirely
non>ex plosiye, aud burns only when in di-
rect contact with fame. When crude it
looks like transparent gum, aud its color is
light yellow brown. It can be made as
hard as ivory, but is always elastic, and can
be readily nodded 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
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.
g As close imitation of ivory, cellnloid has
made great inroads in the business of the
ivory manufacturers. Its makers assert that
in durability it is much superior to ivory, as
it sustatns hard knocks without injury aud
is not discolored by age or use. Great quan.
titles of it are used for piano and organ keys,
to the manufactare of which one company is
devoted. So extensive is its use for this
purpose that the ivory manufacturers have
reduced their price far below that of cellu>
loid, in the hope of checking tho compcti-
ton. ''It is only question of who can hold
out longest, said cellulOid manufacturer
tbut we can make our own elephants, and
the ivory men have got to catch theirs"
Billiard balls arc made of celluloid at half
the 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 aud hand mirrors, and for
all kinds of toilet articles which ivory is en-
of celluloid is 25 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, chessmen, aud the handles of
| knives and forks. Its use in cutlery is said
to be especially desirable, as it is not crack
ed or discolored by hot water.
India>rubber, as general rule, holds its
ground against celluloid, as the latter cannot
be sold 80 cheaply. Tho celluIoid is said to
be much more durable, however, aud it is
superior for pencil cases, jewelry, etc, where
gold mountipgs are used, and il does not
tarnish the metal, whereas the sulphur in
india rubber furnishes gold which is less than
Is carats fine. The freedom of celluloid
sulphur, and the Datural flesh color which
| can be impaired TO it, have caused it to be
extensively substituted for india. rubber in
| the manufacture Of dental blocks, or the
gums and other attachments Of artificial
teeth.
CelEuloid can be mnttled so as to initiate
the finest tor,oise.sheIl, and its elasticity
renders il much less liable to breakage. In
this form it is used, like the imitation ivory.
for combs, card cases, cigar cases, match-
boxes, pocketbooks, napkin rings, jewelry.
and all sorts of fancy articles. The substance
| is employed for similar purposes as good
| imitation Of malachite and also of amber. Il
is made into mouthpieees for pipes, cigar
holders and musical instruments, aud is used
as the material in flutes, fageolets and drum
sticks. For drumheads, it is said 70 be su>
! per1or 70 parchment, as II - not aHeeteu Dy
moisture in the atmosphere.
As substitute for porcelain, cellulOid is
used for the heads of dolls, which can be
hammered against hard floor without dau>
ger of fracture. Beautiful jewelry is made
of II in imitation of the most eIaborstely-
carved coral. reproducing all the shades of
the genuine article. Most of the coral tints
are bright or dark red, however, as the ma
kers, strange to say, have found that excel>
lent copies of the costly pink coral are not in
popular demand.
One of the large manufacturing companies
is employed exclusively in the making of
optical goods, using eellnloid in place of
tortoise-shell, jet, etc.. for the frames of
spectseles, eye glasses and opera glasses.
The material is extensively used for shoe
tips, protecting the shoe as well as metal
tips, and having the appearances of patent
leather. BY shoemakers it is also used for
ipsoles. Large quantities of thimbIes are
made of it. and it is said to be the best ma
terial known for emery-wheels and knife.
sbsrpners. As ground for paintings, eel.
! lulOid has all the sdEansssss Of l1ory,. and