LEAD. 



By Carl W. Mitman, 



Curator, Divisions of Mineral and Mechanical Technology, United States 



National Museum. 



[With 6 plates.] 

 FOREWORD. 



The Division of Mineral Technology, a part of the Department of 

 Arts and Industries of the United States National Museum, is en 

 gaged in preparing exhibits designed to enhance the popular con- 

 ception of the many mineral resource industries, their technology, 

 economics and general social bearing. With the cooperation of active 

 producers there have been obtained series of models, photographs, 

 drawings, and raw and finished products which by their arrangement, 

 set forth for many of the important minerals, the condition of their 

 occurrence ; the operations followed for their extraction ; the processes 

 of manufacture ; the nature of the products and their adaptability 

 to use. 



Unfortuinately, the opportunity of visiting the National Museum is 

 not had by everyone and the present article is prepared, therefore, 

 to disseminate in story form the salient features observed in the ex- 

 hibit devoted to the lead industry. 



GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS. 



The uses of lead in the things of everyday life are almost with- 

 out end. It is present in the home, in paint, in glassware, china, 

 and pottery, and in the piano ; in the church, in the pipe organ, and 

 stained-glass windows ; in the office, in the typewriter, in the window- 

 panes, and window-sash weights; in the factory, in the bearings of all 

 revolving machinery ; in the automobile, in its engine bearings, tires, 

 and even its license tag; in ships, airplanes, and locomotives. With- 

 out it the printing of newspapers, books, and magazines would be 

 seriously hindered; madame would have difficulty in obtaining the 

 right " hang " to her costume and duck hunting would be out of the 

 question altogether. 



Considering these random uses, together with the fact that there 

 is an automobile available for every 10 inhabitants in the United 



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