[LB054591], Letter from Thomas Maguire (Edison Employee) to John Kruesi, Edison General Electric Co, December 14th, 1891
https://edisondigital.rutgers.edu/document/LB054591
Transcription
December 14, 1891. John Kreusi, Esq., Gen’l. Manager, Schenectady Works, Edison Gen’l. Electric Co., Schenectady, N. Y. Dear Sir:- We sent to you on Sunday last, by express, the 50 lbs. of non-inflammable compound for trial; we also sent to you a can containing 5 lbs. of compound #1, to be used as a softener for the other compound should it be too hard. You will observe that the non-inflammable compound has a crystalline structure; this is owing to slow and undisturbed cooling and does not take place when the compound is applied to the wire. We will send to you by mail to lay a sample of this same compound applied to wire. It seems to us to be none too hard considering the value of high [abmsion?] resistance. This is the first time we have attempted to make this compound in larger quantity than one or two pounds, and with the proper plant which has been determined upon from this experiment, it can be improved upon considerably. We regret to say that the price of the compound will be higher than what our Mr. Aylesworth first estimated. The estimate referred to was based upon data obtained by working one or two pounds of the material and was subsequently proved to be erroneous. The price will be in the neighborhood of 25 cents per lb. A reduction in the cost can be effected by making up the stuff in large quantities. By mixing infusorial earth, so that you may experiment with it if you so desire. This is as cheap a moisture-proof and non-inflammable compound as it is possible to make by chemical treatment of organic compounds. Attached hereto will be found directions for applying the compound. Yours truly, THE EDISON LABORATORY By Thomas Maguire DIRECTIONS FOR APPLYING NON-INFLAMMABLE COMPOUND. Melt the material in an iron or copper bottle (preferably copper), and allow the wire to pass through the molten mass, kept a 230o – 240o F., at such speed as will ensure the saturation of the cotton with compound. This can be done in the same manner as your black compound for grade #1 wire. The excess is wiped off in the usual manner and the wire is burnished in the usual way. If it is desired to make the material softer, add the compound No. 1 from the tin can, to the 50 lbs. Of principle compound and raise the heat to 300o F. for a short time and lower the temperature again to 230o – 240o F., skimming off any foam that may be produced. If it is desired to mix the infusorial earth with compound, it should be done in this way: to 25 lbs. of the previously softened compound add 25 lbs. of infusorial earth and stir well, raising heat to 300oF.; then allow to cool to 230o – 240o F., and apply to wire in usual way, keeping the mixture well stirred.