The Republican., 1896-09-10
NEXT THE ALUMINIUM AGE.
Wonderful Progress in the Production Of
the Metal.

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1t was discovered by Frederick WohIer,
a German professor, in 1927; but to St.
| Clair Deville, a Frenchman. belongs the
| honor of being the founder of the
| aluminium industry.
The first article made of this metal
was in compliment to Louis Napoleon
| who had helped Deville-a baby rattle
for the infant prince imperial.
In 1855, when the first aluminium COM
pany was formed, the cost of pound of
| the metal was about $500. In 1889
| Charles NJ. Hall, of OberIin, O., patented
an electrolytic process. He with a few
of his friends then started a small plant
on the bank of the Allegheny river, is
miles above Pittsburgh. The first year
the company produced rs pounds of
aluminium day, which they sold at
| $3.50 pound. In 1895 company bnilt
large plant at Niagara falls, and this
| year they are building additional works.
| When these are completed they will
| have an output of II 900 pounds daily.
| This will put the United States in front
as the largest aluminum-producin
country in the world.
Aluminium weight is about one-third
that of iron, and only steel of the high
est quality and the best aluminium
bronze will give greater strength for
a given weight than aluminium. 1t
stands high in the list of malleable met
ais. and can be drawn into wire 1-250th
of an inch in thickness. 1t is an eX-
cellent conductor of electricity, and
would at 20 cents a pound take the
place of copper for all electrical pur-
poses.
| In Germany two army corps are
equipped with aluminium, which in
cludes chevrons and every article of
metal carried on the person, even the
| buttons on the clothes and the pegs III
the shoes. The sword bayonets, scab-
| bards and contents are also made of
! the metal. In Paris there is a cab made
of aluminium, and some of our best
racing records have been made by horses
wearing aluminium shoes and pulling
aluminium sullies. For decorating pur-
poses it is better than silver, because
The air, which blackens silver so quick
! IL, has no effect on it. The president of
one of the largest palace car companies
in this country is said to have remarked
that the price alone kept aluminium
from being used entirely in car decora-
ton. A short time ago an enterprising
firm in Ohio built several aluminium
ducking boats, as well as a number of
rowboats. They found they were very
successful, especially the duclting boat,
as this craft was extremely light and
non-sinkable.
Price has been the only drawback to
the general use of aluminium, but that
will soon be such that the rich and poor
alike will be able to enjoy the great
advantages which the metal offers. 1t
seems likely that the year 1897 will see
aluminium selling at less than 35 cents
pound.
Thus the growth of this wonderful
metal has been spreading out in all di-
rections. a few weeks ago an alum
mum bicycle was shipped to an eminent
politician in England, Mr.. Balfour
Here again its beauty and non-tarnish-
able qualities, together with its light
ness, make it most desirable.
Cooks of the twentieth century will
no doubt demand that their employers
supply them with aluminium cooking
utensils, as the metal is an excellent
conductor of heat, and it is almost i'm
possible to scorch anything while cook
ing. Dentists are already using it in
making plates. as aluminium has its ad-
yantages over gold for on contact with
metallic substances no disagreeabIe
electric current is set up. For scientific
instruments, such as seXtants, transits,
levels, etc, where the inertia of heavy
moving part is to be avoided, aluminium
is the metal par excellence. Pho
tographers find aluminium f1ashlight
| powder better than the present mag
nesium, as it is cheaper and not so liable
to explode in preparation and produces
none of the white fumes so disagree
able in the use of magnesium. Among
other uses for aluminium are keys,
watches, musical Instruments, car
roofs, ice and roller skates, and many
other articles which lack of space pre-
| vents mentioning.
The substitution of aluminium for
copper and nickel coins has long been u
subject of debate, and bill is now be-
fore the house of representatives. au-
thorizing the secretary of the treasury
to make trial of aluminium coins. The
advantages of aluminium for coinage
are:
1. 1t takes a fine impression when
stamped
2. 1t wears remarkably well.
3. 1t resists corroson better than cop
per, bronze or any of the common
metals. Besides this. if it does corrodc
slightly, the salts formed are harmless,
which is more than can be said of any
other metal.
4. Weight for weight. it is cheaper
than copper, and only slightly dearer
than nickel alloy.
5. Lightness. AT present" to quote
Prof. Richards, 'the people of the
United States are carrying aroundp prob
ably 5000 tons of minor coins" Alum
inum's weight is about one-third of
that of copper or nickel, so we could re-
duce that weight 1000 tons by adopt
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