Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1930-07-10
STATES BRICK INDUSTRY BUILDS
EXCELLENT RECORD

In brick manufacture Washington
has built up thriving industry with a
total annual production value of
$1,364,05o, according to information
compiled by the Washington State
Chamber OF Commerce.
Making mud valuable, This State
which is SO rich in clay deposits, in
cludes in its brick industry the common
brick, face brick, hollow building tile,
drain tile and raw clay The common
brick averages nearly one-half of the
entire output; face brick and hollow
building tile little more than half;
the drain tile and raw clay making up
balance of SIS, 600.
Most of the raw material is obtained
at plant sites centrally located, one of
the largest cities of this State having
seven clay products plants mining the
clay within city limits. In this way
matreials are Immediately available for
every type of building construction.
And the manufacturing also extends
throughout rural areas, providing i'm
pressive amounts of brick, building tile,
and rainage tile for our Washington
farms
The annual payroll in the statewide
industry is S85o,0o0, twenty-five manu-
factories employing between 500 and
600 persons on full time basis.
IN spite of its modern uses grick is
old beyond the memory of history of
civilization. When primitive man first
began building possibly mud walls,
and then rudely shaped bricks soon
after, formed his shelter The first
brick was of sunbaked clay. Inscribed
Chaldean bricks have been found dat
ing as far back as $500 B. c., some very
fine examples of ancient brick work
still standing.
Reach by reach, brick advanced from
Asia upon Europe. Up to fifty years
ago bricks were handmade, but since
then machines have increased the out
put and make more symmetrical
brick, with but little difference in
quality.
Clays and shales form the basis for
most bricks today, the various COM
positions in these materials producing
many interesting color effects.
Till within the last half century, all
bricks were classified as common brick
Then someone with vision introduced
the face brick with rough surface
finish. Since the war period, skintled
brickwork has become popular, this CIV
ing in mass effect an antique" atmos-
phere, or what the face brick offers in
the individual brick. Clinker brick is
another present-day favorite. 1t has
highly polished. lacquered surface
which looked hand-painted.
The stellar qualities of burned clay
brick account to great extent for the
growth of this industry in Washington.
Almost six thousand years attest to
its durability. 1t is practically indie
structible, with superior fire resistive
qualities; has high load-bearing
strength; is irnpervious to heat and
cold precluding the possibility OF trans
hitting moisture-an adaptable as we'll
as an artistic material.
With the average cost of common
brick house not exceeding six per cent
more than frame house, this COM
modify is coming into general use with
home builders They find its leasing
qualities, minimum upkeep cost and
high resale value very attractive
Considering increase in local popu-
lation, the extensive building projects
in view, and the continually growing
outside markets, Washington brick
manufacturers are optimistic about the
future OF this basic industry