special subjects were further indications of appreciation of fundamental work. As a part of the synthetic resin exhibit a souvenir placque was molded and sold. It bore the likenesses of Liebig and Wohler with suitable inscription. The completeness of representation of equipment manufacturers could not pass unnoticed. I t is doubtful if any firm of importance failed to be represented in the nearly 400 exhibits. Some of these exhibitors had gone to great expense in bringing large-scale equipment. In fact we were tola that other operations were suspended over the railway lines needed in bringing the impressive Krupp equipment from Essen to Frankfort. On occasions of this sort, that can be done with greater facility in a country where transportation is state owned and where there are definite objectives of moment to the state. Another of the large-scale exhibits included the greatest vessel yet made of Haveg, 18 meters in length and 2 meters in width; great copper tubes, 2.1 meters in diameter and more than 6 meters high, produced by an electrolytic process avoiding weld seams; and other tubes about 40 cm. in diameter, 10 to 12 meters in length. There was a complete installation of equipment for the electrolytic decomposition of water on a full commercial scale; distilling and rectifying plant of glass in operation; large-scale filters; commercial reaction vessels; and a section of a com-
A c h e m a VIII " F W E subscribe to the Chinese proverb that one picture is more valuable than 10,000 words, then what shall be said of a technical exhibit such as Achema VIII held in Frankfort am Main, July 2 to 11? This exhibit is held triennially under the auspices of the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur chemisches Apparatewesen E. V., called "Dechema," a n d th'e abbreviation "Achema" is derived from Ausstellung fur chemisches Apparatewesen. This year concurrently with the exhibit there were held meetings of several of the leading German chemical societies Among the many features, we were especially struck by the following. There was splendid recognition on the part of state and civic authorities of the importance of the chemical industry and the various factors contributing to it. There was extensive publicity, excursion rates were offered on the railways, educational tours especially for the students were planned following the exhibit, the streets leading to the exhibition grounds were decorated, there was a military aspect to the opening exercises of the exhibit as well as to the German entrance hall through which one passed in reaching the principal entrance. More than that there was official participation in the opening exercises, and a ball with elaborate entertainment at which the Mayor of Frankfort and the President of the Chamber of Commerce were hosts. The tribute to pure science and to leaders in the science was impressive. This was shown among other ways in the designation of the principal aisles in the main exhibit hall by the names of leaders in pure research. Separate exhibits of scientific literature and publications on
mercial plant for the manufacture of rayon. If one was attracted by numerous examples of commercial-scale equipment, likewise he could not escape the feeling that here was a group of manufacturers who appreciated the vital importance of regulating and recording equipment, as well as the best that could b e had for the laboratory itself. In fact, t h e main hall was given to exhibits of laboratory equipment, where one interested in the exquisite workmanship of the German instrument maker could find much to delight his soul. The fact that all such exhibits were 364
brought together in one hall greatly facilitated their examination by the visitors who might compare the products of different makers without going far. One entire building was given over to a display of products thus far developed in the efforts to achieve the objectives of the Four-Year Plan and free Germany from imports. These displays included the raw materials, the products made therefrom, and a large number of examples of application of these products in place of those which heretofore have resulted from the use of imported raw materials. Buna synthetic rubber was given a prominent place as were the numerous synthetic resins, from one of which had been produced a remarkable insulating material made by fixing a foam resulting from the agitation of one of these resins. The raw materials are cellulose, casein, water, coal, lime, straw, and air, and the extensive list of products which have been synthesized and otherwise made from this list is too well known by our readers to need mention here. One section in this hall was given over to equipment and methods for testing such synthetic products, wThile another was filled with special literature. In another building progress in the production of chemical fibers, and particularly different varieties of substitutes for wrool, was shown in extensive detail. Throughout the exhibit the arrangement by kinds was of great help to the visitors* and indeed, the facilities for the exhibits themselves were excellent, although it is felt that if Achema is to visit Frankfort regularly some additional halls with better ventilation must be erected. One walked considerable distances in visit ing exhibits; everything was on the ground level. The building housing the largest equipment was served by both a railroad siding and a crane, which must have been of great help, and there were apparently no difficulties in using steam, water, electric current, or other facilities to enable the exhibitor to do just what he pleased in operating his equipment. The buildings
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were located in a park with its own restaurant facilities. The guide book to Achema VIII is one of nearly 300 pages, sold at a nominal price, and there was a special booklet of 140 pages devoted.to the synthetic m a terials in which Germany is so greatly interested today. Prior to the exhibit t h e Achema Annual for 1937 was published, a book of almost 400 pages which reviewed and catalogued practically all of t h e products for the scientific and industrial exhibit at Achema VIII. Beside these helps there were guides, with flags embroidered on sleeves to indicate the languages spoken, and in some
booths attendants who seemed able to explain in whatever language best suited the visitor. Students and even older school children were taken about in groups by guides who patiently explained what was seen, particularly the "Kunststoff." We have mentioned the ball and entertainment tendered by the city of Frankfort, but there are other features which must be noted. Following the opening exercises a luncheon was tendered to a restricted list of visitors by Dechema. This was attended by the Mayor and other officials. Then the I. G. 'Farbenindustrie Aktiengesellschaft entertained a large number of visitors in the social hall of its magnificent offices on the evening of July 2. This was an occasion for extending acquaintances, renewing friendships, and indulging in an evening of enjoyment. And then there was the "Auslander Klub" located on the grounds near the entrance, and presided over by Carl £ . Pretzell, who resided many years in the United States and who has a host of friends there. Dr. Pretzell left nothing undone that be could do to help all and sundry and make everyone feel perfectly at home. In fact, after once learning of the facilities of the Auslander Klub, we doubt if some of our friends got beyond its portals. If Dr. Pretzell worked early and late, so also did Dr. Bretschneider, the active manager of the exposition, whose manifold
duties kept him so much on the go that he was a difficult man to catch. The success of the enterprise was largely due to his planning and engineering, and his ability to obtain w h o l e h e a r t e d cooperation. There were a number of Americans in attendance, but not as many as there should have been. Among them were G a s t o n D u B o i s and Charles A. Thomas, Monsanto C h e m i c a l Co.; G. J. Esselen, president of Gustavus J. Esselen, Inc., chemical engineers; L. F. Nickell, chairman, Monsanto Chemicals, Ltd., London; Jules Bebie, consultin« chemical engineer; Gustav Kgloff, Uni-
versal Oil Products Co.; Guy N. Harcourt, Buffalo Foundry & Machine Co.; J. V. N. Dorr, president of the Dorr Co.; J. M. Moul, TurboMixer Corp.; L. M. Tolman, Wilson and Co.; Walter L. Jennings, Worcester Polytechnic Institute; W. B. Wiegand, Columbian Carbon Co.; W. F. Zimmerli, K. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., Inc.; L. F. Audrieth, University of Illinois; and H. E. Howe. When another three years have rolled by and Achema IX is to be held, we are safe in recommending to designers, manufacturers, and users of chemical equipment, the modest investment of time and expense involved in making the journey to see what the equipment manufacturers of Germanv have to offer to chemical industry.
