Asbestos Magazine, 1921

Johns-Manville's notes

1. Jan. 1921, pp. 33-35 summary p. 11

   Robert F. Toope - (son of inventor of sectional pipe covering reflects on his father's life) First such insulation was known as "Toupee" (Note: See Jan. 1920) and was made from silicate of soda and asbestos. The U.S. patent rights were sold to the Johns Company (later Johns-Manville). Mr. Toope went to London and formed an asbestos covering manufacturing company, their product being used exclusively by the British navy until the discovery of 85% mag.

2. Feb. 1921, pp. 20-23 summary p. 11

   Canadian Mining Industry - consistent demand for asbestos for use in brakes, building (paper, millboard, shingles, lumber), insulating coverings (for boilers, pipes, furnaces).

3. Feb. 1921, pp. 25-27 summary p. 11

   Arizona Asbestos - "The asbestos industry in Gila County promises to make Globe the center of the production of this ore in the country …" At Chrysotile, Johns-Manville employs 200-300 men.

4. Feb. 1921, p. 56 summary p. 11

   "The Story of Asbestos," a motion picture film in six reels, produced by the U.S. Bureau of Mines, in co-operation with the H.W. Johns-Manville Co. has just been released. Quebec and Arizona mining operations are shown, together with manufacturing at the Manville, N.J. and Nashua, N.H. plants.

5. Mar. 1921, pp. 13-18 summary p. 11

   The apparent scarcity of asbestos in 1919-20 was not an actual shortage of material but was due to railroad adjustments, lack of cars, strikes all along the line and other causes which impelled American manufacturers to buy everything offered, thus forcing up the price because of what appeared to be an actual shortage of material. "As a matter of fact, American manufacturers are heavily stocked March 1921 with Crudes and Fibres and quite a few of them are contracted for material considerably beyond their present needs." The Arizona deposits "are most valuable, but we are convinced that Canada will continue to dominate world markets considerably beyond our span of life." Lack of demand for magnesia covering due to great curtailment of shipbuilding.

6. Mar. 1921, pp. 37-41 summary p. 12

   Arizona Asbestos - The oldest and largest mine in Arizona is that of Arizona Asbestos Association, owned and controlled by the H.W. Johns-Manville Company. The mine is producing regularly a large tonnage of crude and spinning fiber. American Ores & Asbestos Co. has ceased operation at its property, even though it produced some of the most beautiful fiber of high tensile strength, due to the fact that the easily accessible ores had been mined and further work would not be economically feasible.

7. Mar. 1921, pp. 47-48 summary p. 12

   "Asbestos in the Movies" - snow effect produced by using huge blowers to spray a mixture of rock salt and asbestos. Asbestos suits, masks and helmets are used in fire scenes, and equipment is protected by asbestos.

8. Mar. 1921, p. 56 summary p. 12

   Final hearing in the litigation brought against Johns-Manville and Thermoid Rubber for alleged patent infringement against Asbestos Brake Co. to be held March 3.

9. Apr. 1921, p. 11 summary p. 12

   Rhodesian Chrysotile is second only to Canadian for the manufacturing of yarns in this country.

10. June 1921, pp. 31-32 summary p. 12

    German Asbestos Industry - Before the war, about 15,000 tons a year were imported from Canada, Russia, USA, China and South Africa. Germany's production was only about 1/8 that amount. War requirements, as necessitated by the blockade, led to development of home supplies. "Although the huge demands of Germany for asbestos have not been met by home production, the latter has resulted in imports being diminished." A substitute was produced during the war called Deutsches Asbest. Other substitutes have also been produced. German asbestos can't be compared to Canadian, as the fiber is short and can't be spun; therefore, it is chiefly used for boards as heat insulators and engine packing. (Reprint from India Rubber Journal).

11. June 1921, p. 39 summary p. 12

    Arizona asbestos - Mining in Globe area further decreased. The Arizona Asbestos Assoc., controlled by H.W. Johns-Manville Co., has only enough men working to keep the mines operating.

12. June 1921, p. 61 summary p. 12

    J-M's subsidiary, Asbestos Wood Company of Nashua, NH, is to construct plant additions to cost $250,000. The plant will manufacture corrugated asbestos wood.

13. July 1921, p. 61 summary p. 13

    Canadian Johns-Manville Co. Ltd. has placed contracts for a large manufacturing plant to be located in Asbestos, P.Q., for the manufacture all classes of asbestos products, including paper, roofing, shingles, packings, pipe coverings, textiles, brake linings, etc.

14. July 1921, p. 61 summary p. 13

    Former Secretary of the Navy, Josephus Daniels, "when asked to express an opinion on Admiral Sims' recent escapade in London, wrote 'I have no asbestos handy. I would not express myself on anything else'."

15. July 1921, p. 62 summary p. 13

    J-M will proceed with the construction and equipping of its new plant at Waukegan, Illinois, work on which was started over a year ago. Total cost is estimated to be $6 million.

16. Aug. 1921, p. 28 summary p. 13

    Canadian J-M Co., Ltd. is satisfactorily proceeding with the erection and equipment of its manufacturing plant in Asbestos, P.Q.

17. Aug. 1921, pp. 49-50 summary p. 13

    Arizona Asbestos - active operations have stopped on all mines. Barely a dozen men are employed, half at Chrysotile and half at the Regal mine. Market for asbestos is too uncertain, and it is extremely costly to make claims accessible. Stocks are small and the quality mixed. Most has been sent to the new factory near Los Angeles. Production of Arizona Asbestos Assoc. goes exclusively to the plant of J-M.

18. Sept. 1921, p. 19 summary p. 13

    "U.S. Navy Department to Test Compressed Sheet Packing" - Bureau of Engineering to have meeting with packing manufacturers on Sept. 13 to discuss tests on compressed sheet packing to be run on Oct. 3. Samples are to be furnished free of cost to the government for the tests at the Naval Engineering Experiment Station. Present specifications for asbestos valve stem, woven asbestos sheet, H.P. spiral rod and other asbestos packings will also be discussed at the meeting.

19. Oct. 1921, p. 2 summary p. 13

    Navy/Asbestos Packing Manufacturers Meeting - Sept. 13 meeting held at Bureau of Engineering, U.S. Navy. Attendees listed. JM's representatives: G.K. Bradfield, John H. Olden, F.L. Pilliod. "Reported failures in Compressed Sheet Packing in Navy service made it appear necessary to modify the specification so that a more uniformly satisfactory product would be obtainable." Navy will probably require following requirements as to asbestos: 70% by weight; chrysotile with not less than 12% water; asbestos to be opened, or carded, or both as may be determined by additional test to be conducted at the Naval Experiment Station." "A brief discussion was had concerning High Pressure Packings, some manufacturers insisting that the present standard, which calls for 90% Asbestos in the Cloth before treatment is excessively high and suggesting that this standard be lowered to 85% Asbestos in the Cloth." "We gathered that the Navy will not arbitrarily change the present specification, but will make tests of Packings containing 85 per cent, 90 per cent and 95 per cent Asbestos in the Cloth and if it appears that a Packing suitable for Navy requirements can be made from a Cloth containing less than 90%, the specification will be changed accordingly in due season."

20. Oct. 1921, p. 62 summary p. 14

    U.S. Patent granted 1921 covers a cigarette having a wrapper of Asbestos. The wrapper is made of Asbestos Paper and is supposed to retain its shape during smoking.

21. Oct. 1921, p. 62 summary p. 14

    The Bureau of Mines has recently completed a motion picture showing the asbestos mines of the Johns-Manville Company, and the factories and processes in the mining, refining and manufacture of asbestos into its numerous products, such as roofing, insulation, packings, textiles, papers, etc. The picture is in four reels and runs a little less than an hour. It is available for presentation by clubs, engineering societies, etc. Application should be made to the advertising manager, Johns-Manville.

22. Nov. 1921, p. 28 summary p. 14

    Arizona Asbestos - Reports on mining situation, which is not good: Transportation problems - little market for the fiber - no leases granted by the government. Between 75 and 100 tons are stored in Globe warehouses, all graded and sacked.