Handbook of Birmingham: Prepared for the Members of the British Association, 1886British Association for the Advancement of Science
History
Handbook of Birmingham: Prepared for the Members of the British Association, 1886
British Association for the Advancement of Science
Birmingham (England); Natural history -- England -- Birmingham
Among new inventions for the ornamentation of glass, should be
mentioned the process of “threading,” that is, the surrounding and
partial covering of a body of glass of one colour with a continuous
thread of glass of another colour, by which many beautiful effects of
varying and toned colour are produced.
Recent years have also seen the revival of what is termed cameo
cutting on glass. A body of glass being formed of layers of different
colours, the outer layer or layers are partially removed by eating away
by hydrofluoric acid, and the remaining portions are then wrought into
designs with the chisel or graver. A reproduction of the Portland Vase
is one of the most remarkable specimens of this revived art, which
offers excellent opportunity for the combination of lustrous colours of
varied hue with delicate and exquisite ornamentation.
Marked progress has been made in the production of coloured glass,
formerly almost a monopoly of the Bohemian makers.
=Hinges of Wrought Iron.=--[F. E. MARTINEAU.]--(B. 610.) Material
consumed at time of British Association Meeting, in 1849, was about 700
tons; in 1865, about 2,500 tons, and this year, 1886, about 3,500 tons
per annum. In 1865, about 300 people were employed in the trade, there
are now about 380. Strip steel has to a certain extent replaced strip
iron in the manufacture.
=Hydraulic Machinery.=--[MESSRS. TANGYE.]--(B. 647.) The Cornwall
Works have rapidly extended, now occupying six times the area covered
in 1865. 2,000 men are employed. In addition to hydraulic machinery,
steam engines, machine tools, machinery for gas works, patent retort
lids, gas stoking and charging machines, gas engines of a novel and
economical type, steam boilers of all kinds, and fixed and portable
steam cranes are manufactured. These works will now turn out per month
200 steam pumping engines, 40 steam boilers, 100 steam engines used for
other purposes than pumping, 800 cranes, crabs, and lifting apparatus.
300 hydraulic presses, lifts, and jacks. 5,000 complete sets of pulley
blocks, and 1,000 gas retort mouth-pieces and lids.
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