Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 83, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 April 1915 — EDISON THE WIZARD [ARTICLE]

EDISON THE WIZARD

Builds Benzol Plant Complete in Twenty-Nine Days.

First In United States Since War, Began, Turns Out 800 Gallons Daily Was Formerly From Germany.

Orange, N. J. —Completion of the first benzol plant built in the United States since the war has been announced by Thomas A. Edison. It was finished in the record time of 29 days, from six to eight months usually being required. Benzol is used in making aniline dyes and synthetic carbolic acidj Practically the entire supply always has come from Germany, and the war had not been long in progress before there was a scarcity. Edison uses a ton of carbolic acid a day in making phonograph records. When the war made carbolic acid scarce he decided to make it synthetically. But he needed benzol, and benzol was even more scarce. So first he had to make the benzol )With characteristic directness, Edison gathered the latest information on benzol manufacture. He decided on the method of extracting it from coal gas in preference to the petroleum system of Prof. Walter Rittman of Columbia university. Then he designed a system of apparatus that would combine cheapness and speed of construction. So well did "he succeed that the first plant, which is in Johnstown, Pa., and on which work was started twen-ty-nine days ago, now is turning out 800 gallons of benzol a day. Edison is planning another plant in Sydney, Nova Scotia, and still another at a yet unknown location. The total benzol prodnction thus is expected to be brought to 2,000 gallons daily. -The benzol apparatus devised by Edison, if easier to build, is somewhat leas permanent than the usual type. It is, however, serving its pur-, pose. Edison is getting all the benzol he needs and has had a little left over for his friends. There is not

much prospect, however, it was said at the Edison laboratory yesterday, that there will be much for public sale. The Edison plant in Silver Lake, N. J., is said to be the first synthetic carbolic acid plant in the country. It is turning out one and one-half tons of acid a day.