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"I don't know why I write science fiction. The voices in my head told me to!"
- Charles Stross
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| Paper Steel | ||
| Specially treated paper that forms material as hard as steel. |
When constructing machines that move through the air, the lightest possible materials are needed. As long as they are strong enough.
| And now for the metal used by Robur in the construction of his aeronef--a name which can be exactly applied to the "Albatross." What was this material, so hard that the bowie-knife of Phil Evans could not scratch it, and Uncle Prudent could not explain its nature? Simply paper!
For some years this fabrication had been making considerable progress. Unsized paper, with the sheets impregnated with dextrin and starch and squeezed in hydraulic presses, will form a material as hard as steel. There are made of it pulleys, rails, and wagon-wheels, much more solid than metal wheels, and far lighter. And it was this lightness and solidity which Robur availed himself of in building his aerial locomotive. Everything--framework, hull, houses, cabins-- were made of straw-paper turned hard as metal by compression, and - what was not to be despised in an apparatus flying at great heights-- incombustible. The different parts of the engines and the screws were made of gelatinized fiber, which combined in sufficient degree flexibility with resistance. This material could be used in every form. It was insoluble in most gases. and liquids, acids or essences, to say nothing of its insulating properties, and it proved most valuable in the electric machinery of the "Albatross." |
| From Robur-the-Conqueror,
by Jules Verne. Published by Not Known in 1866 Additional resources -
|
Fascinated with the idea of superlight, but tough, materials? Check out the aptly named helio-beryllium, as well as inertron.
Thanks to Your Obedient Serpent for suggesting this item.
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Paper Steel-related
news articles:
- Nanopaper - Paper Tough As Steel
- Graphene Paper 10x Stronger Than Steel
| Tiny Mining - Extract Precious Industrial Minerals From Your Own Body |
| Polyaramide Is Stronger Than Steel, Light As Plastic |
| Trinitite, Pentagrams And Isaac Asimov |
| RUSSE Self-Healing Plastic Works Underwater |
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