The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1933-01-27
OurGopeyumeut
How 1t Operates
BY William Bruckart
BUREAU OF STANDARDS

esting, was asked by tourist on an
occasion what the purpose Of the in
stitution was. His reply epitomized
the place in these words: TT shows
what people have DONE"
am indebted to him, therefore, for
the thought that the bureau of stand
ards shows what people are doing.
And there can be no more accurate
description. albeit; to state fully its
meaning and to comprehend it's scope
1t must be expanded and expanded
until ones mental processes grow
foggy.
Some years ago. friend of mine
who has devoted many years to the
public service as an expert In the bu-
reau of standards, invited me to ride
In his car to my destination at an
other point In the city. Upon enter
ing his automobile l was surprised to
find a veritable battery of taxicab
meters operating In the tonneau of
the machine His explanation Of their
presence may be used to illustrate
the type of work performed by the
bureau:
1--WE never have known whether
taxi meters are accurate. In other
words. we have been unable to say
positively whether persons hiring
taxicabs are cheated by the machines
that register the fare. BY installing
these meters and using this car nor
mally,. we get test of them under all
sorts and conditions of operation. The
speedometer on the car is tested regu-
larry so that we can check against it.
We will know In about two months
whether any or all of these meters
give the public square deal"
Such is one phase of the work done
at the bureau of standards and all of
1t has as it's end and aim, the making
of this better world in which to live.
It's accomplishments in this direction
are endless, because those scientists
are tireless in their pursuit of knowl-
edge.
1t will be impossible in brief
space to set out even a small portion
or outline of the work done in the bu-
reau. place that to my humble mind
contains more thrills than ever have
been concentrated under one roof any
where else in the world. But when
one recalls that by persistent effort
of commercial lines to do away with
countless styles and types of products
and to concentrate on standardized
designs. all as means of reducing the
cost to the consumer, some idea is CIV
en- of the dollars and cents value of
the work accomplished. Take for ex-
ample, bolts and nuts. One can buy
them anywhere in this land and If he
calls for certain type, that type will
be supplied whether it is manufac-
tured in the city of Pittsburgh or SAP
Francisco.
Experiments have been carried on
at the bureau for years respecting
the best methods of heating homes
and the best methods for steam pro-
duction, always with the idea Of eco
nOmical operation In view. The same
statement may be made concerning the
manufacture Of paper-writing paper,
wrapping paper, paper for other spe-
ciflc uses.
A chemistry division operates one
Of the great laboratories of the coun-
try. testing, testing. testing. Thou
sands of chemicals that reach the pub
lie, ready for economical use and pre-
pared to meet the everyday needs of
one unskilled in handling delicate in
struments, are better today because
the scientist of the bureau of stand
ards devoted many months to expert
mentation.
Development Of the airplane has
brought with 1t many and varied prob
lens. The bureau has set about solv-
ing them. Some of them are mechani-
cal. purely; others deal with natural
forces. That explains why there Is
gigantic wind tunnel In operation at
the bureau. Air is forced through at
every speed and at every angle and
against propellers operated with GER
tain horsepower behind them. The
calculations arrived at enable engi-
neers to know what weaknesses to
avoid in plane construction.
And so it is. too. with tests made
of such commonplace things as cleo
trio light bulbs. They are actually
burned out. Tests are made with fla
ments of every known substance used
for that purpose, and combinations Of
substances are tried. Manufacturers
have the direct benefit of these ex-
periments, of course but the ultimate
consumer gains eventually through
lower prices on quality products
Almost constantly experiments are
carried on at the bureau with ma
terials used for dyes. dyes for cloth,
colors for paints. for inside and out
side decorative purposes. for metals.
etc Their fastness must be known:
the conditions under which they will
fade are developed conclusively If
they fade at all. and means of cor
recting that weakness are looked for.
The scientists experiment with the
cloth or the metal or wood, or what
ever other base Is used to ascertain
what results are brought about by a
different foundation for the colors.
When they get through with one fob
of testing. those men and women can
be said to know the truth. But Il
seems that instead of the truth MAX
ing them free. it merely starts them
off again in search of something else
that will be helpful in your life and
mine.
g. 1892. Western Newspaper Union.
English Language