The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1909-07-13
Ep,soN,s CEMENT HOUSES.

Much newspaper comment and ex-
pert discussion regarding Edison's
poured concrete house" has been in
dulged in for over year, most of It
based on fragmentary Information.
The Cement World furnishes the need
ed details in an authorized inter
view with the Wizard OF Menlo
Park" 1t is full and complete
story OF the invention, with details,
specifications, ornamentation, method
OF construction and estimated cost.
The following general facts shorn of
technical details, are taken from the
account:
The most frequent objection or criti-
cism, offered was the apparent imprac-
ticability OF pouring concrete into an
intricate set OF molds and securing a
surface throughout that would be
free from imperfections. ut will clog"
1T will not flow,, were the express
ions heard on all sides. Then objec-
tons were offered on artistic grounds.
Imagine a city OF houses, every one
OF which was like the others. It Is
preposterous," was said.
Mr.. Edison has answered all these
objections to the full satisfaction OF
the most critical. He has produced
mixture OF consistency almost
| like water which holds the stone or
aggregates in suspension. allows the
mixture to flow freely to all parts OF
| the molds and secures a uniform dis
tribution of the aggregates through
out the mass. The molds are adapted
to variations OF arrangement, thus
making it possible to change the
style of the houses with the same set
Eof molds. with FIVE or six sets Of
moIds, therefore, wide variety OF
style is possible.
| The model plan exhibited by Mr.
Edison Is for one family. with floor
plan 25x30 feet It is intended to be
4 built on lots 41xs0 feet. giving lawn
and small garden room. The decor
atoms Will be cast with the house
and viii. therefore, be part of the
structure and not stuck on, as is done
at the present time. It is an important
fact about this house that it will be
practically flreproof The mixture
composing it is both water proof and
yern1in proof.
The inside walls, stairs and parti
lions Will be concrete also and nc
plaster will be used. The surface left
| By the mods will be perfectly smooth
and can be painted or tinted II de
sired.
In the work OF construction cas-
iron molds will be used, set up on
concrete foundation or foot 'ng. Some
time before the molds are set vi
this footing and the basement flool
4 will be placed In order that they ma,
be thoroughly set before the molcs are
erected.
The molds will be placed on thii
footing, and the cast house will In
clude the basement wall Regulation
reinforcing rods can be used in thu
molds. The stack for the bathroom AMI
all gas pipes will be placed at ths
time the molds are set up. Mr.. Edison
allows four days for the erection 0
the molds. For this house severa
hundred pieces will be required. Eacl
will be fitted to be assembled will
I. the others and locked readily.
The time necessary for the pourfni
OF the liquid he says will be onl.
six hours. Four days after the pour
ing the dismantling can be done. 81.
) more days are allowed for the hard
: ening of the concrete.
t The inventor thus makes fourier
days as the time necessary for TIL
/, completion of house. This time ma.
g be reduced under specially favorable
e weather conditions.
y 1t Is estimated that with six rets o
" molds 144 houses can be built in
It year. AS the same forms are used in
s definitely the cost is reduced to
d minimum. Concrete residences a
e the present time and under the cor
g ditions that require the use Of WOO
e for forms sre prohibitive on accoun
d of the expenSe for lumber.
Is All the declarations and ornament