WAUPACA RECORD LEADER

August 12, 1915

 

LIFEBOAT MADE OF PAPER

 

Japanese Has Constructed Vessel

That is an Improvement Over All Others

 

            A paper lifeboat that can be packed away in a space of about one cubic foot, but which, when inflated, is sea-worthy and durable, is the invention of a retired admiral of hte Japanese navy. The boat is constructed from Japanese paepr called “hashikirazu”, which is treated chemically to make it waterproof.  The paepr comes from the mulberry tree.  It is unusually durable, and possesses great strength when the stresses are in the direction of the fiber.

            A thin sheet of paper that is strong when stressed in any direction is made by pasteing together two sheets with the fiberts corssing at right angles.  This is the way in which the paper boats are constructed.  The first boat manufactured by the admiral consisted merely of a large pillow with a depression in the center, the whole being inflated with air.  Because of hte ease with which paper can be punctured, it was necessary to change the method of construction, so several pipe-like bags were made and placed side by side in the form of a raft, which finally was modified to the form of a boat.

            The result is a life-saving craft practically immune to wreck, for even if one or two of the pipes are punctured or broken, the boat still has sufficient buoyancy to be seaworthy.

            Owing to its strength and lightness, and its waterproof qualities, this paper is evidently adapted to a wide range of uses, among which are the making of coverings for aeroplane wings and for dirigible balloons.