All About Inventions and Discoveries
The Romance of modern scientific and mechanical Achievements

2^6 All About Inventions It is caged in tanks as it comes from the well, and is hurried to the refineries as soon as possible through pipe lines, to be split into the different products which are now so indispensable to commerce. The refining process itself is prolonged and com- plicated, involving the utilisation of extensive and elaborate plant. In addition to the mechanical forces, an impressive army of chemists, engineers, and other experts in this or that ramification of commerce have to be retained. What do we get from petroleum ? If this question were put to the average person he would retort, even after prolonged cogitation, “ Oh, about half a dozen articles.” But he would be exceedingly wide of the mark. As a matter of fact, industry and commerce depend upon more than two hundred different pro- ducts which are derived from petroleum—thanks to the chemist, who has proved so unremitting and ingenious in his wizardry. To-day, nothing of the crude oil is lost but the smell. Even the gas, which is so volatile as to be virtually beyond harnessing, is not permitted to escape idly into the air. It is led into the furnaces to assist in heating the stills. The lighter oil, known generically as petrol, is first taken off. This is the spirit which serves as the blood- stream to our motors, enabling us to move swiftly upon the earth and waters, above the earth, and formerly —even to-day, in some instances—under the waters. Then there is paraffin, which serves as an illuminant and a fuel for heavier explosion engines. It also forms an excellent substitute for oils generally derived from the animal and vegetable kingdoms. In this instance