Tuesday, April 28, WE! ARMOUR TECH NEWS Page Three: CHEMICALS SEE THREE HEELS 01V NITROCELEULOEE Nitro-cellulosc proved to be a fas— cinating topic to those who attended the A. I. Ch. E. Meeting last Wed- nesday at 11:30 in Science Hall. Three reels of film showing the manufacture of nitrated cotton from its growth to its final use, were shown. Mr. Mayfield of the Hercules Powder Company ran the film and talked informally pointing out things which needed explanation, and adding information here and there. The cotton lint as it comes from the cotton gin must be subjected to a thorough cleaning and drying process. The cotton is shipped to the nitrating plant in bales as a snowy white, short fibered material. At the nitrating plant still more purification is necessary. The cotton is nitrated, that is treated with nitric and sulfuric acid, and it is then dried; in very hazard- ous operation. The finished product is packed in steel drums with thirty percent denatured alcohol. The various valuable uses of nitro- cellulose were illustrated by animated drawings. Its film forming charac- ter, its solubility, its toughness, strength, and durability were all il- lustrated. Celluloid, brushing laquers photographic films, and platic ma- terials are some of the products made from nitro-ccllulose. The films were furnished through the courtesy of the Brevolite Lacquer Company of North Chicago, Illinois. Comments from the students showed they were highly pleased with the discussion. Allen Heinrich Hold up Friday Three unofi’icial revenue agents of the dusky set picked up Allen Helm- ick, ’33, last Tuesday evening, and in the lingo of the trade “went through him," making oil' with one hundred percent of the findings be- fore Al quite realized what had hap— pened. Thirty-fifth street seemed the sat- est route from the west side to Cha- pin Hall, where l—lelmick was due at the Alpha Chi Sigma meeting. As fate would have it, a gang of negroes thought it a good place for a collec- tion party. Equipped with razors, they attacked their man at the ent- rance of the alley near Federal street and carried the struggling gentleman into the alley, not without consider- able protest, however. They prov ceeded to remove from his personage $13.50 in cash, one Illinois Central Ticket, 2 pens, 2 pencils, and a wal- let containing various necessities of a chemical, such as ten dollar break— age cards, etc. Al testified that he felt his strength slightly inadequate to cope with the efforts of three strong men. He tried to yell, but was stopped by one of the assailants; he tried to escape as soon as his feet touched the ground, but the odds were against him. Since this was his first experience, he was perhaps a bit nonplussed as to the conventional procedure, but in the future ambitious lioodlums may find a surprise in store. Al is reputed to be a shining light of the Armour Tech Rifle club and will non- chalantly turn the tables. Armour Represented at Purdue Meeting (Continued from page 1) In a further effort to promote this relationship with industry, Purdue University expects all its faculty members to make as many such con- tacts as possible. These faculty members undertake commercial re— search problems for the industries and also serve them in consulting capacities. Professor Moreton and Professor Pecbles found that practi- cally all of the faculty members in the College of Engineering at Pur- due are making these contacts with industry at every opportunity. The university authorities not only sn- courage it but even require it. Perhaps the keynote of the entire conference was expressed by Dr. Ed- ward C. Elliott, President of the Univ versity, who stated very concisely what Purdue is trying to do. He said, “We are. trying to industrialize edu- cation and educate industry. El soviivs ~ NUMBER The Language of Science By Tobias Dontzig As students in a technical institu- tion, we are exposed to a number of courses in mathematics. Our ini- prcssions are probably something like the following: it is a systematic application of fixed rules, dependent for success on our ability to recog- nize forms; it is free from the hu- man element and none of its laws are subject to discrepancy; it is a well-ordered logical continuity, un- folded step by step to fortunate dis- coverers. In “Number" there is quite force- ful evidence to alter these imprcs- sions. You will find that the story of mathematics is thrillingly vibrant, a tale of human stumblings and grop~ lugs and failings; of chance discov- eries, of bitter disappointments, of exalting conquests. Nothing makes more absorbing reading than the his- tory of man’s attempt to grasp the nature of the universe. In “Num- ber" you will find it in really fascin- ating form. Can you conceive of romance in the arithmetical operations? Dantzig tells us that not so long ago, days of elaborate work were required for the simplest of calculations; those that today can be performed in a few minutes. In the interim came the discovery of the principle of position, quite simple and like so many things, obvious after ex- plained. But preceding this and making it possible, came the inven‘ tion of the symbol “zero", conceived in India as an empty column on a counting board. The author calls it .one of the greatest single achieve: merits of the human race. Has an algebraic expression con- veyed anything of life to you? Then learn of the algebra of the Greeks which necessarily had to be ex- pressed as words because they had no symbols! Read of the discovery of the use of letters “just yesterv day” in the 16th century, a dis— covery which was the turning point in the history of a science thou- sands of years old. General “rela- tions comprehensible to only a few thus become understandable to vast numbers and an immeasurable step forward was made. And the irrational number? Its advent undermined a religion and ruined a philosophy! The Pythagor- eans had built up an elaborate system of number worship that to them was beautiful and infallible. Then, like a lightning bolt came the discovery that the diagonal of a square was in- commensurablc with its side, that the number expressing it was not an integer. Fearing the wrath of God at the uncovering of this imperfecv tion in Nature, those aware of it formed an order, the Alagon, under solemn oath to keep their existence undivulged. waevcr, the Pythav goreans were lost. Who cooked up this infinity idea and why? Where did that familiar “lay eight" come from? The story is a wonderful one: beginning with the realization of a “last number" belonging to the gods. This was the keynote of most ancient religions. The thread is dropped, to be tak- en up in the 17th century by Can- tor, Gauss, and Galileo, who at« tempted its anatomy and precipitat- ed an argument which raged for years, becoming the fundamental issue of the science of number. “Number” presents the science of mathematics in what to most of us is an entirely new setting: a back— ground of humanism. The greater portion of the text is easily under- standable but some sections will re- quire study. These are few, how, ever and may be handled with no special difficulty. I strongly recom- mend reading this book. Its cul- tural attributes are enhanced by un- usual treatment which makes an in- tensely interesting entity. Morton Fagen. ALUMNI NOTES J. E. Tarman ‘Ch. E. ’30, visited Armour Institute recently. He is employed in the research depart- ment of Armour and Company along with C. E. Morris Ch. E. ’30. C. Kloy Miller ’25, has a dough- ter 4 months old. file is selling in- surance for Miller, Castle and Frei» berg. Swimming Team Elects Captain Congregating for the last official time this year, the 1931 swimming team elected Andrew Weston to cap— tain the 1932 squad. Weston shaded out Cavanagh in an exceedingly close race. Andy was high point man this season and has always been a consistent point winner . He spe— cializes in the 220-yard-free-style and the 100-yard backstroke events. Incidentally he is the. holder of two school records. The captain-elect has been a member of the squad for three seasons, winning a letter for each season. On recommendation from Coach McGillivray, the following men were accepted by the Athletic Board as being eligible to receive letters. The: customary minor letters will be giv- on A. Weston, J. Cavanagh, and E. Byanskas. Giovan will be awarded a sweater. Because of his stellar perform- ances during his stay on the squad, ex—Capt. Knox will be awarded a major letter. Knox is graduating this year and was recommended by Coach McGillivray leis being worthy of the major award. With the exception of Knox, the team’s roster will remain intact next season and therefore will be expect- ed to display its usual winning qual- ities. Rifle Club Compares With State Experts Last Saturday night the Armour Tech Rifle Club met its hardest competition of the season in the team shoot of the Illinois Rifle Association. This shoot was held at the Outdoor- Meet at the Palmer House. It is considered a very important meet and as some excellent teams are entered every year, a team has to be above average to win a place. A trophy is awarded to the team that has the highest score and medals are given to the members of the first, second, and third teams. The results of this meet were not at hand at the time of this writing but the Armour boys should have a set of medals and have a good chance to Win the trophy. Last Thursday night, the individ- ual shoot was held. Donald G. Wil- son was the entrant from the Armour ,Club, but was beaten out of third place by two points. On the 30th of this month the Rifle ‘Club will shoot against the Humboldt Park Gun Club at their range. The Armour boys are expected to win this easily. Fire Protects Visit Large Curr Factory America’s largest can manufactur- ing plant was inspected by the Se- nior Fire Protects on their inspection trip last Friday. Large cans, small cans, thin cans, fat cans, tall cans, short cans are all made in this plant located at Kly— burn and Willow. The tin and sheet steel is intro- duced into the factory and is cut to size for the cans. It is then pressed into a cylindrical shape and put to- gether by a pressing machine. The top is made but not put on the can until they are filled at the cannery. A special part of the plant is de- voted to the plating of the insides of the cans to permit their use as containers of food. This is necessary because canned food eats away the iron and forms a very poisonous sub stance. The seeds of some fruits sometime sprout in the can and form a gas which reacts with the can if not coated with tin or some other metal. Therefore, it is vitally important to the canning industry that the cans be coated. This is accomplished. by running the cans through an electro~ plating machine or by coating by means of an acid reaction. Some— times it is necessary to coat the cans with some special alloy in order to preserve the contents of the can. The American *Can Company have an extensive chemical laboratory where they are constantly testing their cans for acidic reaction and to make sure they are safe for food, as well as various other products. About twenty Fire Protects went on the trip, led by Professor Holmes. New Books NON-TECHNICAL This Thing Called Broadcasting Alfred Goldsmith The Engineer J. H. Hammond Education of a Princess Marie. Grandduchess of Russia TECHNHCAL Our Mobile Earth It. A. Daiy Principles of Engineering Thermodynamics Kiefer & Stuart Internal Combustion Engines A. Polson Structure of Line Spectra Pauling & Goudsmit (Doctor Freudcnirc rg Will Address Chemists The subject of the regular monthly meeting of the American Chemical Society to be held Friday, May 1 at the City Club is one which will be of unusual interest to chemicals be- cause they have studied it in consider- able detail in organic chemistry. "Optical Activity and Configuration” is the title of the lecture to be given by Karl Johann Frcudenbcrg, l’h.D., Professor of Chemistry at the Uni- versity of Heidelberg. In addition to the main lecture which begins at 7:80, there will be the usual group meetings at 8:45. Among them are “Glass Blowing Technique”, :1 film to be shown to the Physico-Chcmical Group, and “The Structure of Gelatinous Precipitates” to be spoken on by J. R. Bayliss to the Inorganic and Analytical Group. bkdfililillll’i‘i’ sores! Pill KAPPA SIGMA The annual Father and Son ban— quet that is to be held May 8, will be conducted on a somewhat different plan this year. It will include an inspection of the lighting display of the Chicago Lighting Institute in the Civic Opera building preceding a bullet supper. The Northwestern and Chicago chapters are included with the local chapter. DELTA TAU DELTA Frank Davis and L. Packer Brown visited us and extended congratula— tions on the approaching thirtieth birthday of the chapter. TRlANGLE Brothers Windbigler and Vcncma were elected to represent us at the Twenty‘Scconcl Annual National Convention which is to be held this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, at the Edgewatcr Beach Hotel. The chapter as a body attended the funeral of our honorary Brother Alfred E. Phillips, whose death was a blow to our fraternity as well as to the Institute. Marsh Whitfield ’30, has been awarded his chemical engineering de~ grce from Columbia University with~ in a year after graduation from Armour. S. K. D. has been challenged to a ping pong match which will be played within a week. The Truss Club was defeated by a score of 4 to 1 in a baseball game with the Triangles. SIGMA KAPPA DELTA ard Times showed its effect at the annual Sigma Kappa Delta Hard Time party held Saturday, April 18. This year the other fraternities at Armour were invited to attend, near— ly every one being represented. The music was furnished by Bob Wood- rufl' and his snappy orchestra. These follows as well as the other merry- makers, were dressed to suit the oc- casion. The costumes ranged from doll to housekeeper’s outfits for the ladies, while the men represented themselves in varying fashions— from farmers to milkmcn. Eugene Volta, an alumnus archi« tect, has received first honor in the international contest sponsored by the Chicago Bridge and Iron Works Company. Phil Deiwert ’28, is back with us again after a brief visit to Indi- anapolis. Faculty and Varsity To Compete in Golf The faculty will engage the Ar- mour Varsity golf team in a match next Saturday. This is an annual affair in which the Professors usual- ly display a great deal of skill. Last year’s contest shows a defeat for the Varsity which they will be out to avenge. Evergreen Country Club will be the host. Advance information shows that the following men will represent the faculty: Bibb, Huntley, Ensz, Alli- son, Heald, Sear, Leigh, and Graf- ton. Varsity honors will be upheld by Captain Weis, Johannisson, Pear- son, ()llison, Wyant, and Weldon. BCULEVAIRD THE CAFETERHA Blot Street and Mich. Ave. Dining and Dancing from 3 l”. M. to Midnight No Cover Charge @nnnmozo. N. mt, now gets Camels fun as prime condition as Winstomnfiolem, the cigarette capital of the world. Camels that leave our factory are now wrapped in moisture-proof, air- tight Cellophane which acts as a humidor and keeps the natural moisture in. Peppery tobacco dust and harsh moisture-robbed tobacco are what sting the tongue and burn the throat. “ranks to our patented vacuum cleaning ap- paratus and the new Humidor Pack everybody, everywhere, can enjoy the Camel blend of fine Turkish and mellow lilomcstic tobaccos in prime, fresh condition. Switch to Camels today then leave them tomorrow, if you can. R. I. REYNOLDS TOBACCO CG. Winston-Salem, N. (I. Factory-fresh CAMELS (c) on. n. 3. amaze. Tébszm Company are aibsealcd in the new Sanitary Package which keeps the. dust and germs , out and keeps :ixc flavor in. i