Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 38, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 February 1906 — What Makes Shoes Shine. [ARTICLE]

What Makes Shoes Shine.

The philosophy of polish on any substance, says the Technical World Magazine, is simply the production by friction of such smpothness of the surface layer of its particles that they readily reflect the rays of light falling upon them. Different articles are used to aid In procuring this smoothness on different substances. With leather the best substance seems to be a paste containing bone-black—that is, the powder obtained from charred bones or ivory—to which is added a small quantity of acid to dissolve it, oil to preserve the soft texture of the leather, and treacle and gum to render the mass adhesive.