Important Invention
To the Editor:
On page 22 of the March issue of the Dartmouth ALUMNI MAGAZINE there appears a notice respecting an invention of mine in language which reflects anything but credit to the College or myself.
Evidently this was inspired by a most inaccurate notice published in the NewYork Times.
A story sent out by the Associated Press, Science Department, was published in other papers in a way to make sense, and it is unfortunate that someone connected with the MAGAZINE, who shows no understanding of physics, let this get by for publication.
The story has real foundation, however, and I am credited not only with an important commercial invention, but likewise with the discovery of a hitherto unrecognized physical law which governs the freezing of metal. The law has been stated by a physicist of the Bureau of Standards as follows: "Freezing metal, because of the development of latent heat within its own substance, ceases, in effect, to be a conductor of externally applied heat."
In my new method of casting, sensational results are produced by the orderly removal of heat from molten metal to cause it to freeze progressively and continuously. First, superheat is removed from the metal as it progresses through a mold to a freezing zone where latent heat is developed and removed. Superheat and latent heat are thus removed in maintained separate paths of heat flow.
Enclosed are photographs of etched sections of metal of the same composition cast by the old method and by the new. Photos are marked on the reverse side. Also a photograph of a casting machine, just in case those of the faculty who know their physics should think an old grad had gone completely crazy.
51 East 42nd Street,New York City.
CASTING MACHINE Developed by Dr. Byron Eldred '96 to remove heat from molten metal causing it tofreeze progressively and continuously, aninvention of importance in commerce anda discovery of a hitherto unrecognizedphysical law. Dr. Eldred is President of theEngineers Club in New York City.
BRASS SAMPLE—OLD METHOD
BRASS SAMPLE—NEW METHOD These two photographs show etched section of metal of the same composition bythe old method and by the new as developed by Dr. Eldred.
