Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-10
PINS AND NEEDLES.
improvements I'm Their Manufacture
Since the Time of Henry VIII.
T Jnya

improvements I'm Their Manufacture
Since the Time of Henry VIII.
From London Invention.
Pins are regarded as enblems OF insig-
nihcance, but their manufacture, neverthe-
less, now forms an important branch or
British industry, and It has been estimated
by competent authorities that their produe-
ton in this country alene amounts to 6G-
900 daily, and three-fourths OF this guam
tity are made in Birmingham. In Henry
Wis time pins must have been rather
clumsy articles, and were controlled by
legislated specification as follows: me
person shall put TO sale any pins as shall
not be double-headed and sedered fast to
the shank, well smootheds shavens hied,
eanted, and sharpened, ETC." In Charles
rs resgn the Industry had made evident
progress, for a ptnInakers' corporation was
then founded in London.
Adam South. u century ago, gave us a
very interesting description Of the manu-
facture of pins as then carried on. AT that
time an uneducated workman could scarce
ly make a dozen pins in a day. but within
the last fifty years the trade has been quite
revolutienfzed by the Introduction Of ma
chinery Shortly after 1SA an American.
l.. w. Wright, invented a machine by which
a perfect pin was produced during the reVo-
luton of single wheel. The machine was
first practically worked in factory at
Lambeth, but soon afterward II was re-
moved to Stroud in Glocestershire-the
seat of the pin industry. and later removed
TO Birmingham.
The Wholesale prices Of ordinary pins
may range from Is. Sd. to 3s. per pound.
and on the average 10000 go to make this
weight; chronological pins cost about IS.
per pound, and 1900 or raore OF this class
only weigh one ounce. Each machine now
used in this firms establishment produces
200 finished pins per minute, which is indeed
a striking contrast to the wearisome manu-
facture of Adam South's days.
Needles are manufactured out of superior
qualities of cast steel wire cut into lengths
to make two at time. These pieces are
Strengthened upon an iron table by means
of an instrument termed a rubbing knife"
The wire is then pointed by automatic ma
chinery provided with fan and shaft to
carry away the steel ana grindstone dust.
which Is very injurious TO inhale. In former
days the lives OF the workmen employed in
the needle trade were considerably shorten
ed by breathing air charged with such par
ucles.
"A finished needle, however must have
hard and elastic temper, whereas these, In
their present state, are softer than the wire
out of which they were made. Therefore.
after the needles have been FURNISHED in
the eyes they are hardened by heating in
an oven an subsequently cooled by plung-
ing them into oil. The rapid cooling of the
steel max 8 II as brittle ne glass. The
needles will now almost break upon touch
ing them; indeed in this condition they
would be as useless as in the soft state.
To reduce them to perfect state of elias
ITCHY their temperature has TO be again
raised to about 900 degrees and then, by
allowing them to cool gradually, the re-
quired degree of elasticity is obtained. The
heads are afterward softened by the ap-
plication of heat for facilitating burnish-
ing. The process of securing the needles
bright takes about q week. They are mixed
with oil, soft soap and emery powder
wrapped in loose canvas and placed In a
kind of mangle worked by mechanical DOW
er. This securing process done, the needles
are washed In hot water and dried In saw
dust.
The whole value Of ordinary needles varies
from Is. to IS. per loo, according to quail
lily. and taking an average SIZE say. No. 9,
equivalent to 20.0oOths of an inch In diane
ter, $500 Will go to the pound