Chemistry Magic 171 



much higher speeds, and cost less to operate than present 

 equipment. 



Our military planes now are using "100 octane" gasoline, 

 and industrial chemists are working on fuels of "150 octane" 

 rating. The use of liquid hydrocarbons (derived from coal, 

 petroleum, and natural gas), which are highly efficient and 

 can be pumped long distances by pipe lines, may render obso- 

 lete the present-day industrial power plants. 



In a careful survey of the chemical industry's past and 

 future prospects the investment house of Merrill Lynch, 

 Pierce, Fenner and Beane declares: 



"If a true list of essential industries is ever compiled, the 

 chemical industry will inevitably be near the top of the list. 

 For industrial chemistry is not only as essential to peace as it 

 is presently in war it is vital to life itself. And it is literally 

 true today that industry as a whole cannot function without 

 the chemist. The chemical industry, then, is the base from 

 which all other industries stem to form the complex structure 

 that is our national economy and the American way of life. 

 So industrial chemistry is not just essential; it is indispensable." 



