The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-07-30
HOW DYNAMITE IS MADE.
CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH THE
SUBSTANCE IS HARMLESS.
whom Compounded in . Certain Manner
There 10 No Danger OF IL Exploding
Caro- Necessary in watching tho
Temperatu Of the Mixture-Its Uses.

Whom Compounded In Q Certain Manner
There 10 No Danger OF IL Exploding
Caro- Necessary in watching the
Temperate Of the Mixture-Its Uses.
The visitor to Dodson, just out Of Kansas
City, knew that dynamite would explode,
and that was about all he knew concerning
1t. The little plant there where Kansas City
people daily deal with this powerful ex-
plosive had often occurred to him as a
source Of investigation, says the Kansas
CITY Star, but there is an Unborn timidity
In all people when it is suggested that they
make q close scrutiny of dynamite. The
attitude Of the superintendent was the
customary one Of the long suffering COM
passion for the uninitiated as the visitor
timidly piped his questions.
.What Is dynamite and how II 1t made7'
be reiterated.
The questionsr Redeemed little as he
thought OF the length, height and breadth
OF his ignorance. The superintendent
pulled open desk drawer and handed out
a stick Of some soft substance covered with
a shell OF heavy paraffined paper. Opening
one OF the nicely crimped ends soft sub
stance was seen that looked something
like fine cornmeal which has been dampened
and firmly pressed.
.That's come OF it, was the brief explana-
ton.
Looks harmless enough said the visitor.
in an Indifferent tone, laying It back upon
the desk with q well concealed qualm OF
and as harmless as It looks, except under
certain definite conditions was the quick
rejoinder in a tone suggesting considerable
professional pride.
sand the conditioner
.Nothing less than a decorating cap
buried In one end Of the stick and set of by
Q srecial kind Of fuse.
SHOW about a sudden jar?" was asked
In reply he raised the stick with which he
had been emphasizing bis remarks and
hurled il to the floor with all his strength
an impulse to chatter the international
record for the standing high jump and
prerared to continue the study OF high ex-
ploeives in such a manner as to preclude
forcible dernonstrations
No DANCER from th nna so"Ie S,,,c
remains In its normal condition. When
rortiaiIy frozen, however, some dynamites
nav he exploded by violent conclusion; it
derends a great deal upon the composition
Of the DOPE,
.Yes You see, all dynamites consist In
general of nitroglyoerin mixed with more
or LEES complex absorbent called the dope,
Two elements universally used In the dope
are sawdust or wood pulp and nitrate OF
soda. They are non explosive, but both,
especially the latter. when ignited, give of
a large volume Of gas, which expands and
eivcerin explosion. The nitrate OF soda
Il imported by thousands Of tons from
Chile and other South American regions,
where It Is found In vast natural beds and
known as Chile saltpeter. You remember
the dispute over the ownership OF these
deposits was the casus belli In the late
Colombia affair.
sYes, the visitor responded reminiscently;
sand the other Ingredients Of the dope?'
well, you see. he replied after moments
hesitation, lit would be q hard matter to
explain to you In twenty minutes all that
has been discovered and utilized In twenty
years Of research Over there is the labora,
tory buildinr," pointing to a small red
building at some distance, where could be
seen an occasional figure moving around