Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-10-03
Hu1oANIrn WEE woRKs.


Ware Per Day-HHOw she Gables
for an Underground system are |
Prepared and Lnid-Far in Adj
yamce of Every Other Process.
Universal custom teaches us that it Is
not deadly offence against common
ethics to blow the trumpet loudly when
chanting the tune whose burthen 10 the
greatness of our country. In line with
this commonplace assertion is an appli-
cation of it that Wilmingtonisns need
have NO compunction in lauding the en-
terpriae of the numerous manufacturing
and commercial concerns Of this city.
Yet how few citizens have any definite
idea OF the really vast strides in oom-
mercial importance Wilmington has made
even within this closing decade.
In certain branches Of business and
trade this city leads the country. 1t may
appear egotistical to say SO. But the
only apology for the assertion islts truth.
Yet thousands of Wilmingtonisns are not
aware OF this fact. They would while
visiting elsewhere listen, wrapped in ad-
miring silence, to the praises OF the bust
ness enterprise of the community in
which they happen to find themselves,
but in return, being ignorant of what
has been accomplished here, would be
entirely unable to sing the praises OF
their native city.
The really remarkable progress Of one
of these enterprises whose future prom.
Uses something unusually tiattering to the
commercial standing of Wilmington was
visited Saturday afternoon by members
of City Council, city officials, and num-
Der Of invited guests including represent
tatiyes OF the city press.
out to the Cobb Vulosnite Wire Com
pany's works
Most Of us have general abstract idea
of this corporation. That it is an assooia-
tion of enterprising citizens who, through
dint Of the successful application of cer-
tain scientific ideas, combined with a
given amount OF commercial industry,
have established business which Ia
doing credit to the city and already we'll
repays those who commenced the UNDER
taking. But there Is much more In 1t
, than that. The Cobb Vulcante Wira
Company ia big corporation. II not
only leads anything of the kind in the
country, but is literally the largest insu-
. lated wire works in the world. The de-
msnds on its manufacturing capacity are
manifold more than It can meet. II hes
had to postpone orders from any other
i points but New York, Chicago and
Philadelphia. Other cities call for the
Cobb insulated wire, but they cannot get
! it, simply because the other orders ere
! ahead. And yet the factory turns out
,, one and one-halt miles OF wire day.
i The success of the company ia based
/. upon the sound commercial fac. Of q
substantial demand for the material
v manufactured. The demand for 1t aroge
resulting from the requirements of
8 modern life, introduced through the
r latest scientific discoveries Of the age.
Q Following close upon the practical appli.
ostions OF electricity to illumination,
came the recent demand for underground
wires. Some practical invention waa dc.
9 manded to meet the present universal CRY
. that the electric wires must be placed
8 under ground. The public will
d not longer tolerate overhead wires
Q 1t was discovered by electricians
: that the problem to be met
= was the discovery of some perfect insu-
D lsting covering for the underground
y wires. For long time the efforts o.
d numerous inventors were bafflsd. What
Q was needed by electricians was th,
Q highest perfection in insulation, the low
!, est induotive capacity, and, in addition
u the qualities in the new wire Gas covered
and ready for use) durability, strength
y and hexibility. Without all these condi
'. lions the wire would be useless for prac
y tical commercial purposes. This was th
n problem presented by science to the IN
J. ventive brain OF America Whoeve
answered the problem was promised
,. golden harvest in the field OF speculation
N as alluring in riches and commeroia
Of prosperity as any gold finders drear
n could picture. The electricians wer
prepared with an unlimited production
IN of their lighting but no one could fui
Al nish the wire to carry it.
Il II ia Just such an article that viii
a. mington firm. the Cobb Vulcanite Com
m pany, has invented. The article is cor
9. oeded by all authorities to be perfect /
L. every condition. The art of electri
ae lighting which previous to the Cobb il
vention was famed and hindered by th
absence of its handmade, the properly
conditioned insulating wire, is now, it
al realized by all, possible Of practical Oh
al plication to the tarthest extent this
al science may call. In other words th
he problem of underground wires has bee
10. thoroughly solved by Wilmington nrn
d, President II. B. Cobb courteoual
en- showed his visitors through the varior
m departments OF the works. A great de-
- of what was explained being necessaril
he technical was somewhat difficult to DON
ul prehend. Still on every hand most i
St. teresting points were discovered. II
cd peculiar slabs of light brown gelstinoI
of matter, the basis OF the vulcanite, vi
10 first shown. It lay on tables in lars
p- squares resembling homemade cand
ast more than anything else. This substan,
re- is formed into q pipe coil and then sui
ID jected to the vulcanizing process. Wit
ed out understanding the secret of the pr
NO cess all that can be said is that the PHI
emerged from the machinery with ii
appearance of being trnnstorm'
from vegetable into sentimental
lal. substance. Strange to say the insertio
!, a of the copper wire is tho lest part of t.
act process. Following the transmit
Law tion previously referred to, II
, vulcanized piping is surrounded by
Nv close, continuous coil of cotton twil
led something after the fashion OF csrts
me descriptions of fremsn's hose boui
The around with wire. It Is then dipped
ily a solution of parafiine. The purpose
ted this is to act against the discharge
err electricity from the wire through I
II. vuicanits coil, il being understood th
aid the main desiderata in the problem of {
Cobb invention is the special feature
perfect insulation. The vulcanite coil
re. subjected to air pressure which VIII
.rjs making the article extremely light civ
the it the property of complete impervior
his ness to air. A length of 45 feet OF I
md vuloanite coil weighs only one pour
vad The lead mining procesB which gives