Improvement in Blasting Charges


On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.


The object of this improvement is to save powder in blasting.this is accomplished by charge in such a manner as to get all the explosive power of the powder,much of which is lost in the common ways of charing happens that inventors are considerably in advance of public opinion in bringing out certain great improvements. Such, in fact, is the history of nearly all the most valuable inventions of the present day. Take, for example, the Nicolson Wood Pavement. The patent for this invention was origi, nally granted on 8th of August, 1854, and through the Scientific American Patent Agency an extension of the patent was secured for seven years. During the first term of the patent very little if anything was made out of it. A ride, through the streets, of New York at the present time would convince the most skeptical that the Nicolson extended pa,tJ;lt was likely to prove valuable to its owners. The wide gage, says the American Railway Times, is a fail, ure every way, and if the Erie managers will do away with it throughout their lineand by so doing they necessitate the ad°ption °f the common gage on the Atlantic and Great West- ern, and the Ohio and Mississippithey will deserve to be forgiven for some of their numerous offenses. All experienCo here and in other countries, proves the wide gage to be a great mistake, financially aild mechanically. By all means. let us have a, tlpiform. gage from the Atlantic to the Pacific. © 1869 SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, INC. ing. This is accomplished by arranging the charge in 'such a maimer as to get all the explosive power of the powder, much of which .is lo.st in the common way of charging. Improved Shelving for Stores, Public Libraries, Etc. We might.have appropriately headed this article “ Mechanical Insurance,” as it provides means whereby valuable stocks een educated by the State Board to go for these things, not o see the fierce, enkindling rivalries of a horse race. This iomely virtue should he wisely nursed. The board should ee to it that they have the noblest of bulls, the best ofhorse- akes, and the most cheering display of fruits and flowers to eep the interest alive and growing." Copper Window Sashes, These sashes are now manufactured in England under latent. The metal used is drawn copper, and Is hard and ough, The sashes, when completed, are submitted to a ronzing process and are not affected hy atmospheric in- uences The Building News says : “ They have been experi, entally proved to be weather tight, and are thus

Scientific American Magazine Vol 21 Issue 14This article was published with the title “Improvement in Blasting Charges” in Scientific American Magazine Vol. 21 No. 14 (), p. 216
doi:10.1038/scientificamerican10021869-216

It’s Time to Stand Up for Science

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.

I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.

If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.

In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.

There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.

Thank you,

David M. Ewalt, Editor in Chief, Scientific American

Subscribe