12 whalebone: its production and utilization. 



Formerly whalebone Avas extensively used in making frames or 

 ribs for umbrellas and parasols. These old umbrellas were very 

 durable, but they closed up somewhat like a lettuce in shape. Artists' 

 sketching- umbrellas and carriage shades are still made of this material, 

 but they are expensive. Whalebone was in large demand for the 

 manufacture of hoops, when that article of dress was fashionable. It 

 was used in making brooms, also, especially those used by chimney 

 sweeps. Another use was as covering for telescopes and other tubes; 

 for this purpose the hair-like fringe and strips made from Avaste pieces 

 were employed. These were employed also to make imitation haircloth 

 for covering chairs and solas. The Alaskan natives and the Indians 

 of Washington have made use of whalebone for various purposes, 

 such as in the manufacture of fishing nets, fish hooks, hunters' 

 traps, etc. 



The scarcity of whalebone has led to the introduction of many sub- 

 stitutes for use in corset and dressmaking, but so far few satisfactory 

 ones have been found. Horn and rattan have been tried repeatedly 

 without success, as they are liable to break and lack the resistance and 

 lightness of whalebone. Thin strips of steel covered with rubber or 

 other composition are in many respects the best substitute. Their 

 fatal defects are their tendency to rust and their sharp edges which cut 

 the fabric. ^^Tiile they have largel}' replaced whalebone in the 

 cheaper grades of corsets, these defects prevent their use in dresses and 

 the best corsets. Furthermore they can not be cut to the lengths 

 desired. A very successful substitute, owing to its cheapness, is a 

 preparation of turkey quills sold under a trade name ; but this is by 

 no means equal to whalebone. 



O 



