12
INDUSTRIAL
AND
ENGINEERING
The Lost Arts BY WILLIAM EDWARDS HENDERSON Ohio State University
Those who are not so optimistic may think that public speaking and teaching should head the list of the "lost arts." There have been many implications that the present civilization has lost some of the practical achievements of the ancients. It is not my purpose to belittle their accomplishments, but I will endeavor to point out that they did nothing which we cannot achieve, or had nothing which we cannot have, if we so desired. Wendell Phillips in the thirties and forties delivered a lecture on the "lost arts." more than two thousand times. Phillips obtained much of his information from Pliny's History and did not critically analyze such information. H e also stated that when we wanted high-grade steel for watch-springs (e. g), we obtained it from the Punjab of India and not from the Sheffield factories. The column at Delhi, which is still standing, is mute evidence of the production of a very pure iron. The methods used in making iron at that time were favorable l o a high-grade product. Labor was cheap and t h e makers used hand-picked iron ore which in itself was free from phosphorus, -ilicon. and sulfur. The ore was treated with pure* charcoal and all of the uoiking was done by hand. This art was never lost but had to be abandoned as it did not meet the demands after gunpowder was introduced. This larger demand threatened deforestation in places and Britain passed laws prohibiting the usc of charcoal for this purpose. The manufacturers turned to coal which contains sulfur and other impurities. Centuries were required in learning how to make high-grade steel in large quantities from ordinary ore and coal. It was cheaper for London to obtain a few pounds of high-grade steel from India for making watch springs, pinions, pivots, bearings, etc., than to induce Sheffield to produce a small batch of it. The hardening of copper is often spoken of a s a lost accomplishment. The use of iron as a material for implements {paralleled the copper age and in some localities it preceded t h e bronze age. Homer's Iliad tells us that copper was hardened b y heating and plunging it into water. We know t h a t copper is actually softened by such a process, hence Homer apparently meant iron. The people of 2500 years B. C. knew how to harden copper by the addition of tin and what they really obtained was a n alio}'. The ancients cut granite blocks for the pyramids with copper saws and because of this later peoples assumed that the saws were of hardened copper. As a matter of fact a soft copper saw fed with emery dust may be used in such cuttingAccording to Pliny, the ancients made elastic glass which could be dented and straightened out again. Pliny exercised care in handing down this information as he merely relates a story which says that a workman came to the emperor a n d offered to make it. The emperor had the man decapitated as he desired to preserve the value of his gold and silver vessels. The iridescent glass of the ancients is often spoken of a s a glory of the past. Many poor glasses with the soda washed out by usage and the silica deposited in laminations act a s ruled gratings occasioning interference colors. I t is n o t a t all uncommon to lind an old cheap bottle buried in the soil that will »how the same beautiful coloring. Tiffany's iridescent glass may not be as beautiful as some of these ancient glasses but it is of a much better quality and is iridescent as soon a s made. The Egyptians, about the time of the birth of Christ, did crudeglass molding by softening a glass rod wound on a model and welding it by tapping it with a hammer while in t h e plastic state. All of their glass jugs und other vessels were opaque. Checkered and mosaic glass can still be made providing the time-labor factor is sufficiently large, but we no longer expend sudi a large amount of time. Certain cathedrals, notably the Cathedrals of Chartres and York, witnessed the highest stage in the a r t of stained glass. This glass was all made locally and often several centuries were required in its making. The m?»keis couldn't duplicate any two batches. Small quantities were obtained and these were mottled, streaky, wavy, and of varying thickness. A great artist assembled these quantities, picked over them, and worked o u t the modulations and designs for the various windows. A lifetime was required for such assembling. I n t h a t age t h e window openings were high and small and the rooms dark, all of which aided t h e sparkling brilliancy of the glass windows. The windows of today are lower and wider and we are inclined to use softer colors. What we have lost is t h e genius that works out great designs and spends a lifetime in assembling it. Another reputed lost a r t is t h e beautiful blue glazes of ancient Japan. The Japanese have consulted Professor Kd ward Orton t o learn the controlling of their own blue glazes. The Japanese made m a n y oven batches» and afterwards sorted out sets from many hundreds of pieces. These uncontrolled a n d merely accidental glazes were dedicated to the Gods and handed down in temples. It is said that the old Romans made and used paint pigments which are just as beautiful today as the day of their application.
CHEMISTRY
News Edition
It is a physical chemical fact that a solid pigment which absorbs light is either oxidized or reduced and known as faded. These paintings and mural decorations have been preserved in darkened rooms and those originally exposed were covered and rejuvenated. The colors in Nero's crypt really look somewhat dingy. T h e pigments in the rocks of Arizona would be just as permanent on our walls but we don't want them. The old Roman cements have also enjoyed a glorious history in that even though the rocks have dissolved away, the cement skeleton still remains. Analysis shows t h a t these cements were high in lime, dirty, and full of volcanic ash. By the law of chance some of the batches of cement were good. Some of the specimens washed away. We have submitted some of these remains to modern structural tests, such as crushing strength and have found them wanting. How much of this material was the product of art and how much of chance? The wonderful Egyptian embalming is constantly cited as indicating highly specialized knowledge. Any man dying in the Arizona and left alone becomes a perfectly good mummy. T h e Egyptians removed the viscera from the body, and wrapped the remains in many yards of cloth impregnated with asphaltum, t;jrs, and waxes. The latter protected the body from the ravages of the air thereby preventing decay. In that age many of the people were slaves and were obliged to dedicate their lives to the two or three occupying the highest places. Today we have a democracy as against the aristocracy of then. Which is the better? There is no hidden knowledge but instead knowledge has pyramided. To a considerable extent we have lost the spirit of sacrifice behind it. The belittling of the present generation helps us glorify our ancestors and ancestral worship is not entirely a lost art. The defeated of two boys in combat is still known to reply, " W h a t if you can lick me, my father can lick yours."
Chemical Cross Word Puzzle The key to the Chemical Cross Word Puzzle devised by R. B . Deemer and Paul R. Dawson of Washington, D. C , and published in the August 20 News Edition is as follows: HORIZONTAL
1, Ladd; 4, A. C. S. (American Chemical Society); 7, Shea; 1 1 , 1 1 1 (free atoms of iodine); 12, Adorn; 13, Ear; 14, K. D. K. A.; IG, ONO ( N 0 2 , Nitrogen elioxid); 17, Sate; 18, Arc; 20, Nil; 22, Malonic; 2(5, Rod; 28, Li (Lithium) ; 29, A. C. (alternating current ' ; 30, Ito; 32, Oleic; 33, Rose's (metal, 9 parts bismuth, 1 lead, and 1 tin); 34, Hit; 35, In; 37, N O (Nitric oxid); 38, Ore; 39, Supreme; 43, Commodore; 44, Etc.; 47, Acid; 49, Cab; 5 1 , Iron; 53, Cat; 54, Dumas; .55, Ire; 56, Loeb; 57, OSO (S0 2 , Sulfur dioxid); 58, Abbé. VERTICAL
1, Like; 2, Aid; 3, Dika; 4, Ado; 5, Congo; H, SrO; 8, Heal; 9, Hat; 10, Area; 15, Arm; 17, Sic; 19, Calcium; 20, Nicrome (Nichrome); 2 1 , Solid; 23, Li (Lithium); 24, Na (Sodium); 25, Stere; 2(>, ROH (alcohols); 27, det. (determine); 30, iso; 31, -ose; 3(>, N (Nitrogen); P (Phosphorus); 37, Ne (Neon); 39, Sod (oil); 40, Roams; 4 1 , E t I (ethyl iodid); 42, NaCl; 43, Cite; 45, Crib; -ii"». Knee; 48, CaO; 49, CuO; 50, BaO; 52, Orb.
Copper Acetate as a Grape Spray T h e long used Bordeaux mixture has the great disadvantage of staining grapes badly when applied too close to the time of ripening; and yet protection a t that period is desirable against ripe rots, of which several are known to be destructive. T h e use of copnor acetate is suggested at this time not only because it does not stain the fruit but because it is a good fungicide comparing favorably with Bordeaux in this respect. Of the several acetates of copper known to t h e chemist, the basic form is favored because it adheres better and is not likely to burn. The neutral form used by the French dissolves completely, while the basic form mentioned above splits in water to form a soluble portion andr an insoluble precipitate. Though the French recommend a l /i solution of copper acetate, the writer recommends as a late spray for grapes a mixture containing 2 lbs. in 50 gals.— (A. S. Rhoads; Quart. Bull. Fla. State Plant Board, VIII: 4-97), through Crop Protection Institute Circular.
Robert Pfanstiel has recently resigned his position as section chief in the Chemical Warfare Service at Edgewood Arsenal. Md., to accept a position as research chemist with the General Chemical Company. Charles W. Williams of the Read Air Filler Co., vice chairman of the Louisville Section of the American Chemicai Society succeeds Cecil E. Bales, who recently resigned.
September
20, 1925
INDUSTRIAL
AND ENGINEERING
CHEMISTRY
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A l b e r e n e S t o n e Laboratory Equipment. Illustrated folder listing application a n d uses of this stoneware for laboratory equipment. Illustrated S1,. e X
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Clarage M u l t i b l a d e F a n s . Catalog N o . 52 completely covers t h i s equipm e n t for h e a t i n g , ventilating, and humidifying s y s t e m s . T a b l e s , diag r a m s , a n d photographic reproductions of various installations. S3 pp bl/t
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CLARACIS
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Also published by t h e same firm, series of catalogs o n s t e a m engines, air washers, blowers, fans, e t c . G & G Atlas P n e u m a t i c T u b e S y s t e m . Up-to-dato bulletin on t h i s equip ment which transmits messages, d o c u m e n t s , money, or other small articles from o n e point to another in the indu-.tric»! plant or any other kir^e organization. 7 pp. s 1 * X 11 in. G & G ATI, AS SYSTEM, INC , "»:{" .> West B r o a d w a y . N e w York. Galvanum P a i n t . Color card a n d folder featuring the uses of t h i s product, with illustrations showing its application where adherence t o galvanized iron is an important factor. 3'. t X tol/< in. tionuEN C O R P . OP N E W JERSEY, Newark, N. J
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Norton Refractories for H e a v y D u t y . Illustrated and descriptive booklet, dealing w i t h their selection, use. and properties. Specifications. 2 3 pp. 3'/a X 6V2 in. N O R T O N C O . , Worcester, Mass. Nutting Floor Trucks. Catalog N o 6 illustrated in color, gives full description, detailed specifications, a n d other important information on this e q u i p m e n t . Index. 103 p p . 7'/a X IOV2 iu N C T T I N G TRICK Co., Faribault. Minn Pacific W o o d - C o r e Five Ply. Folder dealing with the u s e and application of this n o m n f l a m m a b l e product for lining walls and ceilings. NATIONAL M I L L & L U M B E R C O . , 2 R e c t o r S t . , N e w York.
"R. I. W . " Preservative P a i n t s a n d Compounds. Specification book for Damp-Proofing. Water-Proofing, Enameling, a n d Technical Painting. Includes helpful data. Subject a n d Products Index. 56 p p . 8 1 / * X 11 in. T O C H B R O T H E R S , 110 E a s t 42nd Street. N e w York. S e e H o w It Revolves. Bulletin N o . 74 recently issued includes detailed description of this portable elevator, with illustrations showing i t s re3 volving facilities. 8 /« X 11 in REVOLVETOR C O . , Jersey C i t y ; N . J Sterlings A n a l y z e d R e a g e n t C h e m i c a l s . Pricp list published A u g u s t . 102.1 Arranged alphabetically. 4 ' A X 6 in. STERLING PRODUCTS C O . , Easton Pa. T h e Construction of Vitrified Brick P a v e m e n t s , Including R e c o m m e n d e d Specifications. Technical catalog completely covering the subject of road-building together with considerable instructive d a t a . Illustrated. 92 pp.
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