Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1895-01-02
PINS AND NEEDLES.
improvements in Their Manufacture
Since the Time of Henry VIII.

improvements in Their Manufacture
Since the Time of Henry VIII.
Pins are regarded as emblems of in
significance, but their manufacture,
nevertheless, now forms an important
branch of British industry, and it has
been estimated by competent authori-
ties that their production in this coun-
try alone amounts to 100000 daily,
and three fourths of this quantity are
made in Birmingham. In Henry
Wits. time pins must have been rather
clumsy articles, and were controlled
by legislated specification as fol-
lows: mo person shall put to sale
any pins as shall not be double headed
and soldered fast to the shank, well
smoothed, shaven, filled, canted and
sharpened, etc." In Charles 1 g. reign
the industry had made evident pro-
gress, for pinmaker's corporation
was then founded in London.
Adam South, a century ago, gave us
very interesting description of the
manufacture of pins as then carried
on. At that time an uneducated work.
man could scarcely make dozen pins
in day, hut within the last fifty years
the trade has been quite revolutionized
by the introduction Of machinery.
Shortly after 1924 an American, L. w.
Wright, invented machine by which
perfect pin was produced during the
revolution of single wheel. The ma
chine was first practically worked in a
factory at. Lambeth, but soon after
ward it was removed to Stroud, in
Gloucestershire-the seat of the pin in
dustry, and later removed to Birming-
ham.
The wholesale prices of ordinary
pins may range from Is Sd to 3s per
pound, and on the average $4,000 to
to make this weight; chronological
pins cost about rs per pound, and 1000
or more of this class only weigh one
ounce. Each machine now used in
this firms establishment produces 200
finished pins per minute, which is in
deed striking contrast to the weari-
some manufacture of Adam South 3
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 rubbing knife" The wire
is then pointed by automatic machin-
cry, provided with fan and shaft to
carry away the steel and grindstone
DUST, which is very injurious to inhale.
In former days the lives of the work.
men employed in the needle trade were
considerably shortened by breathing
air charged with such particles.
A finished needle, however, must
have hard and elastic temper, where
as these, in their present state, are
softer than the wire out of which they
are made. Therefore, after the needles
have been FURNISHED in the eyes they
are hardened by heating in an oven,
and subsequently cooled by plunging
them into oil. The rapid cooling of
the steel makes it as brittle as glass.
The needles will now almost break
upon touching them; indeed, in this
condition they would be as useless as
in the soft state. To reduce them to a
perfect state of elasticity their temper
ature has to be again raised to about
900 degrees, and then, by allowing
them to cool gradually, the required
degree of elasticity is obtained. The
heads are afterward softened by the
application of heat for facilitating burn
ishing. The process of securing the
needles bright takes about about a
week. They are mixed with oil, soft
soap aad emery powder, wrapped in
loose canvas and placed in kind of
mangle worked by mechanical power.
this securing process done, the needles
are washed in hot water and dried in
sawdust.
The whole value of ordinary needles
varies from is to IS per 1000, accord,
ing to quality, and takiug an average
size, say No. 8, equivalent to 29,0OOths
of an inch in diameter, $500 will go to
the pound.