February 19, 1853
1 min read
Add Us On GoogleAdd SciAmTanned Gelatine or Artificial Horn
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.
A manufactory has been established in Paris for the construction of a variety of ornamental articles with this substance. The gelatine is usually obtained from bones by treating them with a weak solution of muri atic acid, and is afterwards tanned by the common process, as in making leather. Upon becoming hard and dry, it assumes the .ap. pearance of horn or tortoise-shell, and is em ployed for the same purposes as those natural productions. It is softened by being boiled in water with potash, when it may be formed into any shape, and the figure preserved by drying the articles between moulds. In the soft state, it may also be inlaid with gold, silver, or other, metals, and it may be streaked with v:trious colored materials, so as to resemble the finest and most beautiful woods. It is probable that this substance will soon be brought very extensively into use, on ac count of its elegance and cheapness.
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.
