Chemistry Magic 169 



the process coffee oil, caffein, and several chemical specialties 

 are recovered. 



Synthetic Textiles 



Rayon and nylon are the pioneers of a great number of 

 synthetic textiles which will compete strongly with natural 

 fibers in coming years. Your clothes will be made from coal, 

 air, and water, and from peanuts, soybeans, tree bark, milk, 

 and wood chips. And these chemically treated clothes will 

 be Greaseproof, waterproof, fireproof, verminproof, and even 

 stainproof. Farewell to moths and cleaning bills! 



Rayon, which now is synthesized from cellulose in cotton 

 and wood pulp and may soon be made from corn or milk- 

 weed stalks, is the oldest of the artificial fibers. It looks and 

 feels more like silk than silk itself, but can be fabricated into 

 tire cord or parachute shroud lines of superior strength. 

 Rayon fibers now are used in heavy-duty tires, self -sealing 

 gasoline tanks, and many other war products. In addition, the 

 diversion of the remaining silk stocks and nylon to war pur- 

 poses forced rayon to supply the requirements of the hosiery 

 industry. Present yarns are not entirely suited for hosiery, but 

 the industry expects new developments to help it compete 

 with nylon and other fibers. The Celanese Corporation is 

 bringing out a new spun rayon that looks exactly like high- 

 quality worsted and will be used for men's suits. Between 

 them, rayon and nylon are expected to put the silkworm out 

 of business at least as far as United States business is con- 

 cerned. 



Other promising fibers are vinylidene chloride; Velon, 

 which may be perfected for men's suits; and Vinyon, a copol- 

 ymer of vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate. Vinyon's low heat 

 resistance has delayed its use in ordinary fabrics, but chemists 

 report that they are licking this problem. Palco, a bark from 



