The various original
investigations on the chemical effects of light led to the invention
of photography, and have given employment to thousands of persons who
practise that process, or manufacture and prepare the various
material and articles required in it. The discovery of chlorine by
Scheele led to the invention of the modern processes of bleaching,
and to various improvements in the dyeing of the textile fabrics, and
has given employment to a very large number of our Lancashire
operatives. The discovery of chlorine has also contributed to the
employment of thousands of printers, by enabling Esparto grass to be
bleached and formed into paper for the use of our daily press. The
numerous experimental investigations in relation to coal-gas have
been the means of extending the use of that substance, and of
increasing the employment of workmen and others connected with its
manufacture. The discovery of the alkaline metals by Davy, of
cyanide of potassium, of nickel, phosphorus, the common acids, and a
multitude of other substances, has led to the employment of a whole
army of workmen in the conversion of those substances into articles
of utility. The foregoing examples might be greatly enlarged upon,
and a great many others might be selected from the sciences of
physics and chemistry: but those mentioned will suffice.
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25