The Portland Cement Industry

Abstract

THE cement industry presents striking resemblances to the aniline dyes industry. The first aniline dye was discovered and manufactured in England. Afterwards the sustained attention devoted to the subject by trained minds in Germany so changed the conditions through the introduction of new colours and cheaper methods of production that eventually a monopoly was acquired. Similarly, Great Britain first produced cement—Parker's (afterwards called Roman) cement in 1796 and Portland cement in 1824, to which may be added reinforced concrete (covered by Elkinson's patent) in 1854. So, too, though partly from different causes, the cement industry has developed far more rapidly in Germany and the United States than here. The remarkable progress in America is attributed to the close co-operation during the past fourteen years of Associations of Cement Manufacturers and Cement Users. Fortunately, British cement machinery is now equal to any made in Germany, though it cannot compare favourably with American machinery. The improvement of cement has been facilitated by the general adoption of the “British Standard Specification,” but ample scope remains for research with a view to increased economy and efficiency in the manufacturing processes. The Portland Cement Industry. By W. A. Brown. Pp. x + 158. (London: Crosby Lockwood and Son, 1916.) Price 7s. 6d. net.