The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1896-11-13
THE ALUMINIUM AGE.
Wonders That Are Being Done
with the New Metal
1t Is Entering Very Largely Into Many
of the Industries and Arts and Has
Before 1t Wide Range
of Usefulness.

OA OSOiu iuAACbes
Aluminium, the youngest of all met
ais, is rapidly coming into general use.
1t was discovered by Frederick Wohler,
a German professor, in 1927; but to St.
Clair Deville, q 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 5000. In 1889
Charles NJ. Hall, of Oborlin, o., patented
an electrolytic process. He with few
of his friends then started small plant
on the bank of the Allegheny river, 1s
miles above Pittsburgh. The first year
the company produced rs pounds of
aluminium a day, which they sold at
$3.50 a pound. In 1895 a company built
a large plant at Niagara falls, and this
year they are building additional works.
When these are completed they will
have an output of 900 pounds daily.
This will put the United States in front
as the largest aluminum-producing
country i'm the world.
Aluminum's 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
given weight than aluminium. It
stands high in the list of malleable met
ais, and can be drawn into wire 1-250th
of an inch i'm thickness. It is an eX-
cellent conductor of electricity, and
would at 20 cents pound take the
place of copper for all electrical pur-
poses.
In Germany two army corps are
equipped with aluminium, which in
cludes chevrons aald every article of
metal carried ON the person, even the
buttons on the clothes and the pegs in
the shoes. The sword bayonets, scab-
bards and contents are also made of
the metal. In Paris there is cab made
of aluminium, and some of our best
racing records have been made by horses
wearing aluminium shoes and pulling
aluminium sulkies. For decorating pur-
poses it is better than silver, because
The air, which blackens silver so QUICK
ly, 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
.duckipg boats, as well as number of
rowboats. They found they were very
successful, especially the ducking 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
ms nl-inr 1Nlofaz oil, hoc TO- Il
yantages over gold, for on contact with
metallic substances no disagreeable
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 fashlight |
powder better than the present mag |
hesium, 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 n
sub bJect 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;
!: It takes q fine impression when
stamped.
2. 1t wears remarkably well.
3. 1t resists corrosion better than cop
per, bronze or any of the common |
metals. Besides this, if it does corrode
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 aroundprob-
ably 1900 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 s.oOO tons by adopt
ing aluminium.
Horseless carriages, which are at
tracing so much attention now, could
be most advantageously built OF alum
mum, thereby making them not only
much lighter, but much stronger.
Euruical Instruments ora 1Na;Do. ,,,o6a |