SYNTHETIC LEATHER

Press, Issue 29236, 21 June 1960, Page 11

SYNTHETIC LEATHER

Production In

Japan [Ftvm correspondent of TOKYO, May 18. Japanese manufacturers have succeeded in producing a synthetic leather from nylon wastes, which is in many respects superior to natural leather.

Commenting on a report in the “Nihon Keizai,” a financial daily, and on samples shown to them, leather merchants representing New Zealand and Australian interests said the synthetic leather was stronger, glossier, more flexible and better “breathing” (allowing air through easier) than Mtural leather. The price was also* Tower. An Australian trade representative expressed the opinion that the new synthetic leather might be as great a threat to the Australian - and New - Zealand hide and skin trade as synthetic fibres were to wool

Coektail Party Notoe Survey.— Two Canadians have overthrown a theory about a great institution —the cocktail party. The theory b—or was—that flotee increases so much with the arrival of additional guests that speech becomes unintelligiblo. Not ao, says the Canadians, and they offer the results of scientifically controlled studies to prove their contention. The nature of the Beverages

served seems of minor importance (at least in the range from coffee to cocktails). Noise levels for allmale gatherings were slightly lower than for mixed gatherings. Maximum levels observed were 80

to 85 decibels. These are not quite high enough to cause permanent impairment of hearing.”—Reuters.