Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-11-19
NO. 27s.
Mistellaneous.
PINS AND NEEDLES.
FACTS ABOUT THE GROWTH OF AN M
PoRTANT INDUSTRY.

The business Of pin-making was estab-
lshed in this country in 1917 when, in
consequence of the war with Great Britain,
the price rose from six cents to 81 per pa
per. Invention was consequently stimr-
lated, and pins were manufactured at
Greenwich, n. T., or what now consti-
tutes that part of the metropolis in the
vicinity of Christopher street, West Side.
At the close of hostiities the effort was
abandoned, as we could no longer COM
pete with English cheap labor and low
rates OF interest. In 1920 the business was
resumed at Bellevue Almshouse, but soon
was again abandoned In 1924, Lemuel
Wright, of Massachusetts, invented and
patented in England the first machine that
made solid-headed pins, but the enter
prise lacked encouragement, and it was
nearly ten years subsequent before pins of
his make were sold in London Perfect
pins by this process were manufactured
during the revolution on a single wheel,
and this machine, since considerably i'm
proved, is the one used at present in the
largest manufactures of Birmingham.
Since 1924 several Americans have pa
tented machines for making pins, but the
most successful invention was the work of
Il Mr.. Fowler. But the entire process is
mystery to the uninitiated, aud the se-
cret is carefully kept hidden from curious
eyes. Most of the best American pins are
made in Connecticut after Fowler's pro-
cess. In one establishment are 50 ma
chimes, which consume annually MANY
tons of brass or iron wire, and turn out
millions of pins. Brass pins are whitened
by long boiling in copper vessels contain-
ing block tin. The process of making
white iron pins is still secret. There
are eight pin factories in the United States,
with an annual production of about ,0O0,-
900, 900 pins.
The first pins manufactured in England
were made at Gloucester i'm 1926; but
subsequently this industry was established
in Birmingham, and that city is now the
headquarters of the pin trade OF Great
Britain. The best English pins are of su-
perior excellence. and are put up in green
paper; but inferior pins are also put up
in the same way, and are frequently palmed
off upon the ubsuspecting purchaser as the
genuine production.
When pins were first made in England
the raw material passed through fourteen
different processes before completion, and
each of these processes employed sepa-
rate operative. The operations consisted
Of Strengthening the wire, pointing, cut
ting into pin lengths, twisting wire for
heads, annealing heads, stamping heads,
cleaning, whitening, washing, polishing,
winnowing, paper pricking and putting in
papers.
English needles of the best makes are
very elastic. the metal being suitably tenn
pered, and the eyes all finely finished and
FURNISHED so as not to cut the thread. A
great many needles are spoilt while in tie
process of tempering, as the steel Of which
they are made is apt to be so variable in
quality, and in a heated state, while un-
dergoing chemical action, they are easily
injured. Securing is also delicate oper-
alton, and needles when not properly
hardened and polished are always Of in
ferior strength. and quickly accumulate
rust.
Pin papers are marked by the use Of
nodded piece of wood, which corresponds
to those portions representing the small
folds, through which the holes are made
for the pins to be secured. The
pin-sticker, usually girl, gathers two Of
the folds together, and places these be-
tween tnc Jaws VI u WISE HdNlHS STOoNcS
to serve as guide for the entry of the
pins. When filled the paper is released,
and held up so that the eye of the expert
at once detects every defective pin, and
causes its removal.
Pins are of very ancient invention, as
they were manufactured by the Egyptians
in the time of the Pharaohs. Many of
these useful articles were found in the
tombs of the kings in the Pyramids. Some
of them were of quite elaborate manufac-
ture, and must have been costly, as they
had gold heads and were six to eight
inches in length. Needles are also sup
posed to be of great antiquity, and their
introduction into Europe is said to have
taken place at the time of the Saracen in
vasion and conquest of Spain. The first
needles made in England were manufac-
tured at London by negro who came
there from Spain during the reign of Queen
Mary He died without imparting the Sc
cret of his art; but it was subsequently
recovered in 1865 by one Elias Growse.
A century later, one Christopher Greening
was instrumental in establishing factory
at Long Creadon, in Buckinghamshire.