Asbestos Magazine, 1936

Johns-Manville's notes

1. Jan. 1936, p. 10 summary p. 66

   J-M introduces new type insulation for cold lines - Rock Cork Pipe Covering.

2. Jan. 1936, pp. 12-16 summary p. 66

   "The History of the Asbestos Manufacturing Industry - Part 4. Paper and Millboard" - Paper use referenced in 1750, a patent being granted in 1853. Manufactured in quantity in England in 1879. First made in U.S. about 1878. In 1932, J-M developed pre-shrunk paper.

3. Jan. 1936, pp. 22-23 summary p. 66

   J-M announces new, improved heavy-duty brake lining - Style No. 900.

4. Jan. 1936, p. 27 summary p. 66

   Asbestos is being used in London to reduce noise in bus, street car and subway services. Tunnels in subway lines are being lined with asbestos mats. "At first it was feared that the asbestos mats might lose their sound-absorbing qualities thru the accumulation of dust, but after a month or so of use it has been found that the dust deadens noise rather than reproduces it."

5. Jan. 1936, p. 36 summary p. 66

   Power Specialist, J-M house organ, published article on asbestos and use with machinery. Article reprinted in brochure form for distribution.

6. Jan. 1936, p. 38 summary p. 66

   Italy has prohibited importation of asbestos from Canada.

7. Feb. 1936, p. 3 summary p. 66

   J-M's research lab has evolved a "Triple Insulated House," built incorporating asbestos wherever possible. Three built in New Rochelle to date. Exterior, walls and roof are of asbestos cement; rock wool insulation; interior walls are plaster over fibrous backing.

8. Feb. 1936, pp. 16-18 summary p. 66

   J-M announces extensive plant expansion program, total expenditures to be approximately $1.5 million: 1) Erection of $750,000 roofing plant at New Orleans to replace one now operating in leased quarters - will employ 400 and be finished by summer. To produce asbestos and asphalt roofing and shingles, asbestos siding and similar building products. 2) Additions to be made at Waukegan - production of asbestos cement pipe and rock wool insulation. 3) Additions at Manville for rock wool production. 4) Expansion/improvement of mine at Asbestos, P.Q.

9. Feb. 1936, p. 23 summary p. 66

   In 1926, the potential of J-M materials used in a house was 2%; today the total of J-M materials that can go into a house is 28%.

10. Feb. 1936, p. 37 summary p. 66

    J-M - Promotion of Dandrow.

11. Feb. 1936, pp. 37-38 summary p. 67

    J-M Building Materials Department has first general sales conference since pre-depression days, 300 attending. A newspaper "The J-M Daily News" was published to record each day's transactions. A motion picture "The 40 Point Home" was shown. Salesmen also inspected the Triple Insulated House.

12. Feb. 1936, p. 38 summary p. 67

    J-M sets up Housing Guilding System as local units nationwide. Will coordinate dealer, contractor, architect, realtor, manufacturer and financing. Two-week school to be held.

13. Mar. 1936, pp. 13-14 summary p. 67

    "Asbestos and Silica Combinations in Buildings" - wallboards, adhesives, cements.

14. Mar. 1936, p. 16 summary p. 67

    Substitution - "The substitution of other materials for asbestos is one of the things that keeps the asbestos research man alert every instant, not only to devise something which will check the substitution but also to find new uses for asbestos to replace those in which other materials have been found more advantageous." "In many places, substitution is made because they are less expensive than asbestos - that sort of substitution is not hard to combat, as often it is possible to demonstrate that in the long run asbestos shows less cost or gives better service." "Where the substitute is found to be better than asbestos for any particular purpose, either as to quality, longer life, or better results, that's when the real trouble begins." "How can we best overcome the substitution of other materials for asbestos?"

15. Mar. 1936, p. 39 summary p. 67

    Asbestos Chapter (prepared by Bowles and Stoddard) from 1935 U.S. Minerals Yearbook, has been published in pamphlet form.

16. Apr. 1936, p. 14 summary p. 67

    "Asbestos Pipes Used in Walls" - warm air radiator-type application.

17. Apr. 1936, pp. 22-23 summary p. 67

    "Asbestos Trade in Germany" - chart shows figures of imports into Germany from various countries 1932-1935, during which time they tripled. German foreign trade authorities classify asbestos as a "prime necessity." Since they have no commercial production, their annual consumption is practically identical to the imports.

18. May 1936, pp. 2-10 summary p. 68

    "Insulation - the fourth in a series of articles giving the History of the Asbestos Manufacturing Industry" - first asbestos insulation used in 1866 (made by Robert Toope) consisted of asbestos and silicate of soda. It was also the first sectional insulation. His patent rights were sold to the Johns Company. First asbestos cement for boilers was used in 1870 and contained 15% asbestos. Magnesia sectional covering appeared in 1885 - aircell in 1898. A Mr. Hanmore purchased a large quantity of carbonate of magnesia from Keasbey & Mattison and patented the use as a pipe covering. He was at the time "covering the pipes of Uncle Sam's Navy vessels which then lay in the Philadelphia Navy Yard." (Picture on p. 6 shows J-M Asbestos Sponge Felted installation in an oil refinery.) "In all of these various coverings asbestos provides the fireproof feature; in 85% Magnesia it acts as a binder as well. Other materials than magnesia have been provided for use on extremely high temperatures, generally with an outer layer of magnesia, but in all asbestos serves as a binder as it is the only binder known which will withstand high heat."

19. May 1936, p. 10 summary p. 68

    Huey, a Material Engineer for the U.S. Navy Yard, New York City, wrote an article "Asbestos for Electrical Purposes" in the Nov. 1935 issue of the Journal of the American Society of Naval Engineers. Reprints may be obtained from the Bureau of Engineering, Navy Dept., Wash. D.C.

20. May 1936, pp. 12-13 summary p. 68

    Rocket Plane tested for delivery of mail (in asbestos bags) from Greenwood Lake, NY to Hewitt, NJ. Man in asbestos suit ignites fuel. Test failed.

21. May 1936, p. 18 summary p. 68

    Glass Yarn and Textiles - "How many of you textile makers have studied the possibility of supplantive materials?" Artificial or laboratory asbestos is too expensive. Recently, however, there has appeared in many publications, references to glass yarn cloth and textiles generally. How expensive such products might be, certainly we do not know. It does seem, however, that if such material had sufficient tensile strength it might be used to advantage in some places which now employ asbestos. Supplantive materials are constantly being developed by the chemist. It behooves us all to keep constantly on the alert to the rapid changes in industry. "Possibly a symposium of ideas would help. If so, let us have your thoughts and experiences; we will put them together without identification, and give you the result."

22. June 1936, pp. 2-10 summary p. 69

    Use of Asbestos in Breweries and Distilleries - asbestos paper, shingles, felt, filters, sheathing, insulation, gaskets, packings, etc. At Hiram Walker, J-M's Rigid Roofinsul used over a steel deck.

23. June 1936, p. 13 summary p. 69

    J-M announces Transite Korduct, companion to Transite Conduit. Brochures on both products are available.

24. June 1936, p. 18 summary p. 69

    ASTM has published recommendations for asbestos textile standards. Comments should be sent stating the opinions of the textile manufacturers. "Specifications finally adopted will be your manufacturing and selling yardsticks, and in your own interest you should make sure that such specifications meet with your approval."

25. June 1936, p. 36 summary p. 69

    J-M promotions/personnel changes.

26. July 1936, p. 13 summary p. 69

    Lewis Brown appointed Chairman of the Committee on on Agricultural Cooperation of the Nat'l. Association of Manufacturers.

27. July 1936, p. 34 summary p. 69

    BuMines publishes "Asbestos Industry in 1935".

28. July 1936, p. 39 summary p. 69

    Spencer Tracy used an asbestos suit during the filming of prison scenes in the movie "Fury".

29. Aug. 1936, pp. 2-16 summary p. 69

    "Asbestos-Cement Products - The last in the series of articles on the history of the Asbestos Manufacturing Industry" - asbestos shingles invented in Austria in 1900. Sheets manufactured by Asbestos Wood Co. of Nashua, N.H. T.F. Manville was associated with the enterprise. A-C pipe first made in Italy in 1913. Manufacture began in U.S. in 1929.

30. Aug. 1936, p. 22 summary p. 69

    New Legislation - "Since June 19, 1936 the Robinson Patman Act makes it unlawful, subject to fine, imprisonment and/or triple damages, to discriminate in price between customers who compete with each other. We cannot go into detail but in all earnestness urge everyone doing any kind of business whatsoever, to become familiar with the provisions of this Act." "Since 1934 the Vinson Act has required the return to the U.S. Government of all profits in excess of 10% made on sales or contracts exceeding in value $10,000, by anyone in the U.S. Navy. This Act was amended on June 25, 1936, in some minor respects but anyone selling $10,000 or more on one order or contract should look this one up quite carefully." "Since June 20, 1936 the Walsh Healy Act stipulates minimum wages, hours, age limits and a host of other limitations on vendors of any goods to any Federal Agency, Permanent or Temporary, and vests authority in the Secretary of Labor to determine compliance or otherwise." "Every manufacturer, rehandler and buyer should get in step with these enactments, because the Robinson Patman Act makes the buyer who accepts a discriminatory price, equally responsible with the seller."

31. Aug. 1936, p. 24 summary p. 70

    Wheaties and Insulation - J-M's Sponge Felt insulates the General Mills ovens which are used to make Wheaties.

32. Aug. 1936, pp. 34-36 summary p. 70

    J-M published revised edition of its booklet "Barriers to Industrial Waste", describing 50+ products used to insulate heated or refrigerated equipment.

33. Sept. 1936, pp. 12-13 summary p. 70

    "Sprayed Insulation - the newest development in the insulation field". Product, made by Keasbey & Mattison, is known as K&M Limpet Sprayed Asbestos. (Picture shows application under deck of tanker Gulf Belle.) Particularly adapted for modern shipbuilding use. "Sun Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co. of Chester, Pa., was one of the first ship building companies to use this method of insulating. Gulf Refining Company Tankers … have been launched with underdecks and bulkheads insulated with this material and the Virginia Ferry Company's streamlined ferry … has the entire stack uptake and stack house insulated with K&M Limpet Sprayed Asbestos to add to the comfort of passengers in adjoining compartments."

34. Sept. 1936, pp. 14-15 summary p. 70

    J-M's Building Materials Dept. hires 60 new salesmen, who recently attended a two-week training course. Those handling industrial building materials are given an additional four-week course.

35. Sept. 1936, pp. 34-36 summary p. 70

    J-M's 1936 Industrial Products Catalogue is now available.

36. Sept. 1936, p. 39 summary p. 70

    U.S. Bureau of Mines recently issued 1936 Minerals Yearbook, one chapter dealing with asbestos.

37. Oct. 1936, pp. 16-18 summary p. 70

    Article on J-M's training courses for building material dealers.

38. Oct. 1936, p. 36 summary p. 70

    Personnel - Kendall joins J-M Housing Guild Division.

39. Oct. 1936, p. 36 summary p. 70

    C. C. Simoni, in charge of low pressure insulation distribution for J-M, has launched new sales plan and presentation for plumbing and heating contractors.

40. Oct. 1936, p. 40 summary p. 71

    Noise is reduced by 2/3 in the London "Tubes" by laying asbestos shields below the track. Project for the 200 miles of track will take five years.

41. Nov. 1936, pp. 4,10-16 summary p. 71

    List of Asbestos Uses updated from July 1919 publication and set out (too lengthy to quote in this summary).

42. Nov. 1936, p. 20 summary p. 71

    British firm has invented Bombproof Asbestos Board - now undergoing secret tests and being tried on ocean liners and in buildings. Composed of asbestos cement reinforced with plywood.

43. Nov. 1936, p. 28 summary p. 71

    ASTM Revised/Simplified Standards for Textiles published, including Asbestos Roving for Electrical Purposes (D375-36) and Asbestos Tape for Electrical Purposes (D315-36).

44. Nov. 1936, p. 37 summary p. 71

    Pacific Coast Asbestos Association holds annual meeting.

45. Nov. 1936, p. 37 summary p. 71

    J-M publishes 28-page booklet "Things You Should Know About Your Roof".

46. Dec. 1936, p. 23 summary p. 71

    ASTM recently published its annual "Standards on Electrical Insulating Materials".

47. Dec. 1936, pp. 32-34 summary p. 71

    Pacific Coast Asbestos Association held annual meeting. A.W. Knight of J-M elected Secty. - Treas.

48. Dec. 1936, p. 40 summary p. 71

    R.A. Nolan of the U.S. Navy has invented a device for escaping from ships surrounded by burning oil, utilizing asbestos cloth.