Auer’s Thorium Flint
50%Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jun 30, 1909
FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 36, No. 25.
Read the full editionAuer’s Thorium Flint
- Auer von Welsbach, the well-known inventor of the Welsbach or incandescent gas mantle, has produced an alloy of iron and thorium which when struck lightly against a piece of iron emits exceedingly bright sparks. These sparks are produced by the almost instantaneous oxidation of particles detached by the blow, and sufficient heat is developed to ignite tinder instantaneously. The new thorium flint, which marvelously surpasses the old-fashioned flint and steel may be well called an everlasting machine. For explorers and tourists especially it will be very useful and will doubtless also be of some value in the ignition of explosives.