762 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY, 



during the t-wenty-nine years ending January, 1880, it appeared that 

 spontaneous combustion had played a leading part. Cotton-waste, 

 saturated with oil, and used for wiping machinery, then carelessly 

 cast into wooden boxes and cupboards, had clearly led to immense 

 losses. Losses quite as serious were traced to the firing of similar 

 materials secreted by rats and mice. This suggested an exhaustive 

 inquiry into the spontaneous combustibility of the oils in common use 

 as lubricants, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology lending its 

 aid in the work. Astonishing were the results — certain popular oils 

 wei'e proved so hazardous that the mills using them had been unknow- 

 ingly courting calamity. Other brands were found comparatively 

 safe, and a few quite safe. A rule was then adopted by the Mutual 

 Companies prohibiting certain oils from use, and recommending cer- 

 tain others. Generally, mineral oils were approved, and animal and 

 vegetable oils condemned. 



The benefit of the inquiry did not cease here, for it suggested to 

 Mr, Woodbury a series of experiments whereby he has determined the 

 value of oils as lubricants. Since friction is one of the main sources 

 of expenditure in the use of motive power, and a noteworthy cause of 

 fire, Mr. Woodbury's reduction of lubrication to a science is a valuable 

 gift to manufacturing industry. His researches were presented to 

 the American Association for the Advancement of Science at its meet- 

 ing in Boston in 1880, the published proceedings giving his results in 

 full. 



Oil is not only a lubricant, and a substance liable to spontaneous 

 combustion, but has an extensive application in wool-manufacture. 

 One of the collateral inquiries instituted by the mutual underwriters 

 on behalf of their clients has led to an immense saving in wool-oils 

 through the exact determination of their comparative efiiciency. 



Spontaneous combustion, according to Mr. Atkinson's compilation, 

 was shown to occur not only with respect to oil and charred wood, but 

 also in dyeing operations. Certain kinds of coloring-matter enter 

 rapidly into combination with atmospheric oxygen, and reach a dan- 

 gerously high temperature. Fans employed to produce a strong air- 

 blast aggravate this danger, against which the best safeguard is the 

 use of fusible links melting at 160° Fahr. Thus fan and engine can 

 be automatically disconnected when fire breaks out. Lanterns have to 

 answer for many conflagrations. In the Boston Manufacturers' Com- 

 pany alone, lanterns broken and upset have led to losses aggregating a 

 quarter of a million dollars. Safe types of construction were intro- 

 duced, soon after the need for them was announced. Another j^re- 

 ventable cause of loss came from employing solitary workmen on re- 

 pairs at night. In cases of fires spreading from sparks, lanterns, cin- 

 ders or other source, the unaided mechanic could not well exert himself 

 at once to give the alarm and quench the flames. Hence the enact- 

 ment of a rule that at least two workmen shall execute all repairs 



