Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 128, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 June 1918 — Luminous Paint Is Put to Good Use in Present War, Greatly Aiding the Soldiers [ARTICLE]

Luminous Paint Is Put to Good Use in Present War, Greatly Aiding the Soldiers

Many ingenious uses have been found of late for luminous paint. Watches with dials which glow in the darkness are becoming common, and only the other day an order was given tor IQO.OOO marching-, compasses with luminous needles to he carried by soldiers at the front, says Boys’ W e - Im * mehse quantities of luminous cloth are used by the soldiers who go'over the top. It is cut into small rectangles about ten inches long and fastened to the collars of the uniforms. The soldiers can .thus recognize their own men in an indiscriminate fight in the dark.- The luminous paint is also smeared on the end of sharpened sticks which when stuck into the ground make a fairly clear beacon. Luminous tape is also used by the mile for a variety of purposes. In this way the stretcher-bearers mark the paths they are to follow’. It has been found that on a dark night the luminous paint is visible for only 60 feet. A soldier can dip his hand in the paint and signal by describing letters in the air or by wigwagging, knowing that the enemy cannot see him a hundred feet away.