Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 118, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 September 1903 — Seeking an Everlasting Ink. [ARTICLE]

Seeking an Everlasting Ink.

Government chemists are much interested in obtaining ink which will be lasting. Many government documents have to be written iu ink, and it is desirable that the ink should remain legible as long as the document remains intact. Notwithstanding the popular idea that everything made in the olden times was perfect the oldtime inks were by no means perfect. The original copy of the Declaration of Independence Is almost undecipherable. Only one signature, that of John Hancock, stands out clear and bold. All acts of congress are filed with the State department for safe-keeping and registered. Up to a few years ago it was customary to engross the acts of congress by hand with pen and Ink, but now they are printed. It Is claimed that printer’s ink will outlast writing fluid and that there will be no trouble for future generations to read the acts of the present congress.