Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1895-07-30
WOMEN GLAD IN WOOD.
New Process by Witch SILK Can Bo Pro-
duced from Wood.

duced from Wood.
A process has been discovered by
which material closely resembling
silk may be manufactured from wood.
Even now women are walking about
the streets of European cities in the
most elaborate gowns of silk in the
manufacture of which the worm had
no part. In fact, the silkworm has lost
it's occupation. ~
The palm for this valuable discovery
in chemical science must go to Switzer-
land, for a native of Zurich, DIR. Lehner
by name, is the inventor of the process,
says the New York World.
Some years ago he began to make
observations on the habits and physical
characteristics of the silkworm and be-
came deeply interested in the subject.
He discovered the chemical action
which took place in the worm in pro-
ducing its cocoon, and at odd times
sought to counterfeit the work of ma
ture. So convinced did he become Of
the feasibility of his ideas that he soon
abandoned all other work and devoted
his time to this single study, in which
he has achieved a signal triumph.
In the process Of manufacturing the
new fabric the principal ingredients
used are sprucewood pulp, cotton or
jute waste, etc., combined with large
quantity of alcohol. The use of the
substantial or solid materials men
tioned creates market for what was
hitherto of no use whatever, being
burned in factory f'Iraoees to get it out
of the way. ..rs ....r-. ....
Spruce sawdust now has a market
value, for this as well as the other ma
terials are digested by chemical proc
ess in which alcohol plays an impor-
tant part. The material thus digested
is SO. much like the cocoon spun by the
silkworm that when the two are placed
side by side in q finished state it takes
an expert to determine which is which
The artificial material at one state is
in liquid condition and of density
about equal to the ordinary strip of COM
MERGE. When in this state machine of
DR.. Lehner's invention, which NAV be
called an artificial silllworm, comes in
to play. This machine, which is very
simple In construction, requiring so lit
tic attention that it can be kept at work
with about as much labor as is devoted
to n twenty-four-hour clock, performs
exactly the same mechanical work that
SilliWorm docs. It draws from the
liquid continuous unbroken thread of
even diameter and unlimited length.
As this thread is spun another portion
OF the machine takes it up and twists it
into any desired thickness of yarn with
regularity.
Thus the fabric can be made of any
desired weight or thickness, so that it
will be seaaonable at all times.
This artificial silk has been spun in
Bradford, England, and worked up in
to q large variety of fabrics. In the
dyeing, weaving, and finishing of
these no special treatment has been
found necessary. 1t has been dyed in
all imaginable shades and colors, and
owing to the peculiar qualities of the
material it takes dye more readily and
gives more brilliant effect than the
natural article. In texture it is the
equal of the best of Chinese and italian
silks, being soft and sillzen to the touch.
1t is expected that it will be used large
ly in combination with natural silk and
cotton for producing brocaded effects.
These latter have been so expensive
lately as to be out of reach of all but
the latest purses. The new invention
will greatly reduce the cost.
.. ..