Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-01-20
THE DANGERS OF CELLULoID.
The Inquiry Dra,Un Out from, the Rece'
Explosion in Netcark.
New York Herald

Explosion in NetCark.
New York Herald.
The explosion in the celluloid factory in
Newark, N. j., recalls the memory of that
which occurred in the same establishment
in 1875, when several persons were injured
and the lives of forty others endangered.
The attention of scientific men has been di-
rected to the dangerous character of an
agency which has of late been finding its
way in its manufactured state to toilet cases
and in fanciful designs and ornaments in
our houses. CeIluloid is a compare
lively recently discovered compound.
The cyclopedias make no men-
ton of it, and even chemists and other
scientists doubt rs to the exact compounds
inquiry that there are no celluoid manufac-
turing firms in this city, but that there are
several IN Newark and other portions of New
Jersey. A reporter of the Herald, who call
ed upon Prof. Waller, of the school of mines,
at Columbia College, was shown several
specimens of the article in its manufactured
state. They embrace brushes and combs in
imitation ofivory, gentlemen's collars, watch
chains, paper cutters, and ladies high combs
in imitation of coral.
Explaining the mode of their manufac-
ture, Prof. Waller said:
"Celluloid is made from gun cotton and
camphor. Gun cotton is obtained by the
use, on ordinary cotton, of powerful nitric
and sulphuric acids. After it is made gun
cotton becomes explosive
'Is celluloid, as such, explosive?"
"Those who manipulate it avoid a rising
temperature while in process of manufac-
ture; but it is claimed that this precaution is
taken to avoid the loss of substance. In its
manufactured state celluloid is not always
explosive, but it is combustible. I know of
an instance where billiard ball was burned
up by coming in contact with lighted CT
gar"
GLOW recently has celIuloid been discover
ed?''
at has been known for nearly ten years,
but it is only within two or three years that
its manufacture into articles of utility has
assumed any considerable proportions. !
believe that there is no mandatory in this
city, but several exist in New jersey"
"Do understand you to say that cellu-
loid is explosive?"
81 do not know that it is explosive in its
manufactured state, yet from the nature OF
the compound can readily understand that
it might be so. There is a popularity about
all these nitro compounds. For instance,
some of the blasting powers containing nitro
glycerine will burn when flames are applied
without exploding, yet when decorating
compound is used they always explode vio-
lently."
"Then you assume from these examples
that the new compound is dangerous?"
GAS general rule should not expect ar
ticles made of celluloid to be dangerous,
though under certain conditions of packing,
and SO forth, they might be-"
Another scientific expert said, in explain
ing the mode of manufacture: When mixed
celluloid comes out it is in solid substance
or long sticks. Then it is heated, much tht
same that ceilingwax might be in the same
condition, and placed in moulds. Subjected
to heavy hydraulic pressure, it ii
fashioned into articles of ornament or util-
ity. Afterward, when applied to steam
vapor, or heat, the goods become flexible anc
easily infammable. I think that some
agency other than gun-cotton is now uset
in its manufactured"