AS IT HAPPENS—

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22319, 5 February 1938, Page 19

AS IT HAPPENS—

Origins of Printing The ancient Romans had one of the world’s most noted discoveries within their grasp—printing with lead type—yet they never foresaw its usefulness, according to Dr. Harrison E. Howe, an American scientist. “When visiting the ruins of a palace of a Roman emperor, in Rome, one may see a lead pipe fashioned to convey water to his bath, with letters raised in the lead,” said Dr. Howe. “But one is unable to explain why, having taken that step, it occurred to no one to smear upon the raised letters a little pigment in some vehicle and press it upon papyrus, metal, wood, or textile. Printing from type seemed at the time of such small importance to those engaged in the development that even secrecy was unemployed. Nor did the inventor ever lay claim to his invention, leaving some doubt as to who he actually was. “Guctenberg is ordinarily given the credit, but it is by no means certain that he fully deserves it. But if he did, his reward was only a few lawsuits and a life of debt—far too little incentive to encourage many others to invent.” New Materials for Roads

Earth roads, graded, made compact and then treated with sodium chloride or calcium chloride are being investigated by the Pennsylvania Department of Highways as a possible means of staving off the high costs of road repair and upkeep. The tests on roads thus treated have been highly successful and are ideally suited to secondary roads where small volumes of traffic arc accommodated. In addition, the liquid residue from the rayon and cellophane pulp manufacture has been used as a binder in road work. The principal constituent of the material is lignin, the natural cement which binds the wood fibres together. After dilution from its original syrupy form, the material is applied to the road with a pressure distributor like that used for oil. A thin layer serves merely for dust control, while a three or four-inch layer, known as macadam mix, produces a wearing surface suitable for heavy duty. As It Happened Here are a few recollections of Christchurch of years ago. Do you remember: — When the trams were drawn by horses and owned by Mr John Brightling, the sanitary contractor? When about a quarter of a ton of stone was shaken out of the Cathedral spire by an earthquake? When soup was given to the poor in Victoria square, where the triangle now stands? When the riot took place between the tramway labourers and the Orangemen’s procession? When Mr A. H. Towle formed the first Christchurch Amateur Opera Company and played “Aida,” “Les Cloches de Corneville,” “Pinafore,” “The Pirates of Penzance.” and other works?