The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-10-07
ssMade Of Paper.u

"Made Of Paper
We have SO long cherished well.
founded prejudice against paper, says
the Paper World, as a fimsy and un-
substantial substance, that we are sur
prised at. its recent utilization IN
many ways where strength and dura-
bility are the more important requis
ities.' Many articles, it we learned
that they were made entirely or in
part from paper. Immediately lost IA
yor i'll our eyes, and we looked at them
askancc. When the soles Of our shoes
soon wore out the fact was often at
tributed to the use, by the unscrupu-
lous maker, of shoddy strips Of paper
in the place of inside layers of double
leather, and this is only single illus
tratlon among many that might be
given to show to what miserable, if
not despicable, uses paper has been
put. The daily tearing up of news
papers and ght wrapping paper for
tho purpose Of doing up fparcels has
also done much to impress us with the
fragility Of the frequently handled
material. It was natural that we had
come to regard paper as cheap and
reliable substance. a&
AS consequence, we cannot readily
conceive Of the successful application
Of paper where great strength, tenaci-
ty to withstand powerful strains and
durability are required Of it. But
the one process of compression, enor-
nous in its power, gives all these
highly desirable constituents to SOL
id compact ubstance, which, although
harder than wood and taking, to
some extent, the place of iron, is form
cd Of the same material that makes
the fragile newspaper sheet.
Paper car wheels are successfully
manufactured and used, paper bricks
are becoming desirable as building
material. Prof: Green, of the Troy
Polytechnic Institution, has erected a
great revolving dome whose light
framework is covered with hard en-
during papie1' naache only one-sixth
of all inch thick. Paper has been sue
cessfully employed as ali anti-fouling
sheathing tor iron vessels and in other
things almost as unexpected.
1t must be observed in connection
with paper, however employed, that it
possesses TWO very manifest advantages
-lightlless and cheapness-and when
compressed into solid substance it is
also as hard and durable as several
othcr, strongal more costly materials.
No one will hesitate to employ paper
Instead Of iron in any construction,
provided that the former can be shown
to be sufficiently strong, for its light
ness and chcapness arc most important
considerations in its favor. The range
and mutability of paper are remark
able. The same material that forms
the delicate valentine enters into the
| stalWart car wheel that sustalns the
weight Of tons and endures constant
friction as it glidcs along the iron
rails. According as paper may he pre-
pared, it ranks among the most fragile
OF the stoutest substances. +l5@s'
| Harder than wood and impeivious
to water. just think Of it! How
people fifty years ago would have
been surprised at such accomplish
lnents. But being established facts,
they arc fraught with great signiti-
canoe. They have enlarged the posi-
] bilities of paper wonderfully. They
have opened wide field for expert
nent and invention. Paper is des-
tined to take the place Of many sub
! stances that will be found inferior to
it, while its application in numerous
undcveloped ways, wherein nothing
else can be used, may be confidently
expected.
The uses Of paper have within q
short time expanded wonderfully.
In the shop windows may be seen
quaint and curious articles Of Japan
csc manufacture-paper napkins, pa
per plates, paper shades, toys, etc,
etc., articles fragile, and articles i'm
pcryious to heat and waterfall of pa
per. Its capabilities are limi tless, and
! the range OF invention has still wide