The evening times., 1898-08-12
A NEW FLOORING.
Remarkable Composition
Known as Papyristfte-
The

In the course of their duty Of investi-
eating whatever manufactures may be
of interest TO the people of the United
States. our consuls abroad often give de.
scriptions of important discoveries and in
ventions. One OF the most recent of these
is an account of the new composition for
floors written by the United States con-
sui at Zurich. He says: II have, at diff
ferent times. received communications
from the United States inquiring aboT
a certain artificial material called papy-
| rolith. in regard to which my predecessor
! sent a report to the department. l have
made diligent inquiries. seen samples of
the material. and now. for the benefit of
the public. beg to report as follows:
"a new artificial stone or moss has re-
Gently made its appearance on the build
ers' technical market. called papyristi.e.
on account of the ingredients entering
into its composition, principal among
which is purified paper pulp obtained
from waste paper.
"Papyristite is an improvement on
papyrolith. both having been invented by
Mr.. FIR. Gehre, a civil engineer of Zurich.
specially intended to serve as a solid. I'M
permeable and jointless roof or floor.
which, when once laid, will present a
smooth surface as if made In one con-
tinuous layer. This new material, I am
told, is a non-conductor of heat. cold or
sound, and. although as hard as stone,
has a soft, linoleum-like feeling to the
foot, and is noiseless.
Accumulation of dust. vermin or fungi
are impossible, there being no grooves or
Joints. The weight is much less than that
of stone c. cement.
Zone hundred Kilograms (220 pounds) of
this preparation in a powdered form,
when mixed for use r0nd spread to
thickness of 10 nillinl9ters (3S40 inch).
will cover a surface OFFS 1-2 square meters
(91 1-2 square feet)
"The ingredients for the manufacture of
papyristite are obtainable in the United
States, and the cost is exceedingly low.
mo machinery is necessary to prepare
the compound. although to save labor.
where great quantities are to be used.
an ordinary press can be utilized to ad-
vantage. It can be molded or spread In
any desirable form or shape, as is the
case with cement. The mixing is done on
the spot, where 1t, Is yanted. and it is
transported, like cemefit, in barrels or
sacks.
Inc uTyIuk UT HdfuciiihS pioCSSS ID cA-
fected in twenty-four hours after spread
ing. and then. If desired, 1t can be pol
isl,ed to a high gloss The inventors
numerous experiments have given good
results. and his persistent efforts seem
at last to have been crowned with sue
cess.
Taking the opinion Of prominent archi-
tects who have exDerimented with this
new material. there seems to be no doubt
that a valuable building material has
been discovered, which can be utilized in
many ways. 1t is as hard as marble and
Is practically indestructible. yet Is Is
elastic and possesses all of the qualities
mentioned above.
ut can be cut, sawed and bored: given
any desirable tint. and made to look like
marble or mosaic.
"For roofing purposes 1t Is also valuable.
A light iron framework has been invented
by Mr. Gehre, and the material is put
on in the form Of plates and partly Of
mortar, which, when united. produce
smooth, continuous surface. It Is adapt
ed to cold as well as to tropical regions.
and its stone-like qualities protect 1t