The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-03-17
Another Remarkable Discovery

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The latest invention, that of making
fabrics water proof without affecting their
appearance, is one of the most important
announcements ever made in the world
OF scientific discovery, and one which will
place its successful inventor even higher
than Mr.. Edison in practical benefit to
mankind. AS might have been expected
the inventor, Mr.. D. M Lamb, was form
erly OF. Chicago, and first conceived the
idea in this city, whose atmosphere has
always been favorable to scientific pro
gress. 1t was while engaged in expert
menting upon the juice of milk-weed,
which he succeeded in transforming into
a species of vulcanized rubber, that he
made his present discovery of solution
which he calls Vulcatine, obtained from
hydrocarbons with melted rubber, re-
acted upon by gases, that would make
even the most delicate fabrics, like laces
or feathers, absolutely waterproof with
out changing their appearance in the
least or lnJuring the material in any way.
The first public experiments were made
few weeks ago, when various fabrics,
such as delicate colored silks, broadcloth,
leather, velvet, cotton, and wooden goods,
kid gloves, furs, ostrich plumes, ladies'
boots, ETC., which had been treated with
the solution, were plunged in water.
The water ran off from them as it would
from the back of duck. Even the
ostrich plumes emerged without the dis
turbance of curl The action of the So
luton is to incase every fibre of the goods
with film that is absolutely impervious
to water and yet is invisible. Not even
the pores are filled up, as is the case with
rubber goods, so that, the circulation of
air through the clothing is not interrupt
ed. A stock company has been formed,
at the head of which is ex-Secretary Nc
Culloch; and several OF the leading finan-
cial men and manufacturers of the East
are also concerned in the management,
while many scientific men, among them
DR.. Doremus, have tested it and certified
to its success in the most enthusiastic
manner
There would appear to be no limit to
the application of this wonderful solution.
1t covers the entire range of textile fab
RIGS, and its uses may be otherwise extend
~ 0iiOSO AHuOuHlJely. IL euQS Jne
reign of the umbrella, for one can 90
through the most drenching showers and
suffer no inconvenience. Ladies will no
longer expose their party dresses to in
jury, for, with waterproof silks, satins,
velvets, laces, gloves, and boots, they
can defy rain, snow, or fog, and the
weather will no longer be source of re-
greet or a convenient excuse The small
boy can paddle all day in the water, and
come home without fear of the maternal
rebuke. 1t will render armies impervious
to storms, and keep them dry in crossing
rivers, and thus save thousands of lives,
for rain kills more soldiers eventually
than bullets. 1t will improve the gene
raj health, for wet feet produce more
sickness than all other causes combined
In case of ship-wreck, also, it would be
invaluable, as well as to the great null
titude Of workingmen who have to toll
In the open air. 1t is economical, as we'll
as sanitary, for it only costs cent a
yard to apply it. In every respect, it is
one of the most curious as well as one of
the most useful of the many discoveries
that has been made in this busy age of
inventions, and its introduction into com
mon use will be looked for with impa-
thence by every one.