The Chemical Independence of America as Shown at the Exposition
Procter Thomson
1919
Journal of Industrial & Engineering Chemistry
as others. Our American independence of foreign manufacturers was mast encouraging. As B reward for their effort the exhibitors were shown by all present an enthusiasm and optfmism which was most satisfying. The attendance. at all times, was good, showing that the estimate of twenty thousand interested people in Chicago for this Exposition and the five conventions held simultaneously was probably conservative. AU in all, the first National Chemical Exposition to be held in the middlewest should
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... be acclaimed a great success. This section of the country has fully appreciated the occasion and has made the most of it. They have set a high standard which the next exposirion will have diEculty io exelling. The chemical iudeiependence of America is often thought of in t e r m of those industries that have been developed during the war. These reprfscnt only a part of our independence. The Pifth Exposition of Chemical Industries was impressive in its showing of the completeness of the development of American chemical industry. Those industries whose development has completed our independence were well represented. The by-products coke in-dustry has reached the point where plentiful supplies of organic raw material are assured, so plentiful that benzol. toluol, xylol mixtures are offered as a motor fuel a t a prim that competes with gasoline. The production of naphthalene is so great that we now have a surplus for export. Paracoumarone resin of American origin is now available a t a low price. A number of well organized conipanies with the proper financial backing me offering intermediates. These make it possible for the American manufacturer to consider the production of synthetic mganic products with an sssurance of regular supply. The number of firms offering dyestufls was slightly greater than last year, and the lines of dyes available are more nearly complete. With some few exceptions, American dyes are ready to meet all demands. The dyes Uot now produced are being developed and the time is not far off when complete independence 'will be attained. The Expositionwasiiotablcfortheiiumberoisyntheticpharmaceuticals, flavoring extracts, and similar products offered. It is to be hoped that protection will be given American manufacturers in this line, SD that our independence can be maintained. In another l i n e l a r e nictal products-the growth was noticeable. American-made tungsten, molybdenum, cerium, vanadium, uranium, and titanium, as metals and as salts, are available for commercial and research use. For research use also there were exhibits by firms which are producing rare bacterio!opicaI sugars, bacteriological stains, organic chemicals, and other materials that have formerly made
doi:10.1021/ie50118a039
fatcat:pbi23fz2ize3rjwkrn56bruhhm