Show SYNTHETIC WONDERS scientific research whereby new and useful materials are reduced from substances hitherto of little or no value goes on apace in spite of the depression in fact a recent survey showed that of industrial companies questioned more than one half had invested more money m research in 1931 than in 1929 one of the most noteworthy accomplishments of chemistry is seen in the long list of products now made from ordinary coal tar it is the basic ingredient of aspirin of which pounds were produced in a single year it is also used in the synthetic production of many other medicines dyes flavoring extracts perfumes and molded plastic materials the odor of practically every flower may be simulated by artificial means thus a combination of and acetone gives the fragrance of violets oil of citronella is treated to produce lily of the valley the odor of lilacs is derived from turpentine and so on cellulose derived from cornstalks corn stalks peanut hulls straw wood or sugarcane sug arcane refuse known as is further treated to produce rayon and cellophane it is also used in the manufacture of synthetic resins for lacquers and plastic materials and even for the generation of gas chemical acids and sugar for animal feeds are extracted from sawdust casein derived from skimmed milk is a principal ingredient of buttons fountan pens electric light fixtures and other molded products and is also used in soap shoe polish photographic plates paints and in textile printing the list of synthetic wonders might be extended to a great length and new ones are being constantly added future developments along these lines can not be foreseen but it is safe to say that they will be of tremendous importance |