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Volume 8
Number 17
SEPTEMBER 10, 1930
The Return of the Alchemists T h e A l u m i n u m Master EDITOR'S NOTE—Some time ago information reached t h e editor t h a t C. H. Hollar had succeeded and on a n industrial scale in his efforts t o separate the element aluminum from clay. Of course such a n achievement would be important, and inquiries were begun immediately to ascertain exactly what had transpired. We are now pleased to print the following report, which has just reached us.
ISTRY did not appear such a wonderful formula. it:
Thus h e made
Data of Experimentation PREPARATION OJ? MASTER (Translation from t h e Cabalistic b y
Y e Editor) To the Most Exalted Alchemist and Howe: Several m o o n s ago, it being your instructions, I , your m o s t humble servant and t h e least of those instructed i n t h e secrets of alchemy, proceeded t o Fultonia, in t h e Province of M i s souriana, where it was reported resided a m o s t wonderful seer, C. H . Hollar b y name, skilled i n the lost a r t of m a k i n g aluminum from clay. I proceeded through t h e wilds and marshes of t h i s far c o u n t r y infested with chiggers a n d wild beasts, the natives of which chewed brown leaves which they spat o u t a n d were addicted t o t h e drinking of a liquid dew distilled from moonbeams which did incite them t o m o s t outrageous actions. T o m y sorrow, Oh M o s t Exalted, in whom resideth t h e alchemy of t h e universe, this sage had departed, but t h e n a t i v e s thereabout reported t h a t h e had indeed made several calcs which, on breaking, d i d reveal a modicum of precious aluminum, a n d t h e y w h o had p u t their shekels in his hands did show me t h e precious metal, which was a s light a s a feather and beautiful t o behold. Sorrowfully I wended m y w a y home and Providence, which guideth us, hearing m y lamentations t o o k p i t y on m e and led me, a wayfarer, t o t h e home of one w h o , having many shekels, had been approached b y this selfsame seer. N o w , this rich man w a s covetous b u t shrewd, and knew t h a t I had sat a t t h y feet, a n d in t h e City of Louie, b y t h e Father of Waters, had s e t myself up a s t h y d i s c i p l e . "Look Y e , " said this rich m a n t o me, "This five hundred shekels will I give u n t o this seer, Hollar, b u t i t must b e that h e perform his miracles before thee." A n d i t came t o pass," after much palaver, t h a t t h e seer promised all these things a n d did proceed t o make w h a t h e called his "Alumin u m M a s t e r , " and in all I N D U S TRIAL A N D E N G I N E E R I N G CHEM:-
One ounce of copper sulfate One ounce of sodium carbonate One-half ounce of copperas One square inch of orange peel One-fourth ounce calcium chloride Approximately 200 c c . of water Added material brought to a boil. After which add: One-half ounce sulfur One-half ounce nitre One square inch of celluloid One black walnut Three-fourths ounce copper sulfate One-half ounce metallic sodium Stir and h e a t until d r y CHARGE O F CRUCIBLE:
One-half ounce of prepared master (prepared b y Mr. Hollar) One ounce copper sulfate One-half ounce copperas One ounce sodium carbonate Small piece of sodium metal (about 3 grams) Two and one-half pounds Alabama bauxite O n top one-half ounce sodium carbonate with a small piece of copper sulfate. T h e charge w a s fired in a blacksmith's forge, under M r . Hollar's direction, for about 2.5 c
