Blister Steel
steel of blistered apperance formed by rosting bar iron in contact with carbon in a cementing furnace. Two subsequent processes convert it into shear steel and cast steel.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Single-source entries: B (72)
Each of these 12 subjects appears in only one of the 6 encyclopedias on this shelf. None is long enough to carry a page by itself, so they are gathered here by letter. Anything that grows moves out to a page of its own.
Blistered Steel
A remarkable modification of iron intermediate between cast and wrought iron, containing less carbon than cast iron, but more than wrought (about 1 1/2 per cent). It is made by imbedding bars of best wrought iron in powdered charcoal in boxes or sand-furnaces which exclude the air, and heating intensely for a week or ten days. The steel, when withdrawn, has a peculiar, rough, blistered appearance, and for this reason is called blistered-steel. See CEMENTATION; CAST STEEL.
Only in The Encyclopedia of Founding
Block House
a fortified edifice of one or more stories, constructed chiefly of blocks or hewn timber. Block houses are supplied with loopholes for musketry and sometimes with embrasures for cannon, and when of more than one story the upper ones are made to overhang those below, and are furnished with machicolations or loopholes in the overhung floor, so that a perpendicular fire can be directed against the enemy in close attack. In the World War (1914- 1918) the Germans used concrete block houses in northern France to defend their front lines.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Block Island
an island in the Atlantic off the coast of Rhode Island, to which it belongs: named from Adrian navigator who discovered Block, a Dutch it in 1616. There is a lighthouse at its S. E. extremity visible 21 miles. The island forms the township of New Shoreham, esteemed as a summer resort.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Block Printing
the method of printing from wooden blocks (producing block books), as is still done in calico printing and in making wall paper. See PRINTING.
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Block-moulding
A device for producing thin, delicate castings, by first obtaining correct impressions in plaster of cope and nowel side of the pattern, upon which the respective parts are rammed separately in flasks which fit interchangeably. By this means all the moulds are exact impressions of the original pattern, as all danger of ramming out of shape is obviated. The match-parts and flasks being all interchangeable, there is no possibility of error. See PLATE-MOULDING; MATCH-PART.
Only in The Encyclopedia of Founding
Block-print
A large core print on a pattern, the impression of which receives a core containing some part of the mould, which if moulded from the pattern would require much more time, besides superior skill to perform it. The core is termed a block core. See CORE-PRINT.
Only in The Encyclopedia of Founding
Blockhouse
a sort of fortification much used by the American settlers as a defense against the Indians. In its simplest form, it is a log house pierced with port holes for the use of riflemen. The typical colonial blockhouse was large enough to accommodate a force of from twenty-five to one hundred men. A basement was excavated in which women and children might remain secure from chance bullets. The walls were built of logs hewed and closely joined, sometimes of two thicknesses, so as to intercept bullets. A second story very frequently extended a few feet beyond the lower story, so that an enemy approaching the walls might be dislodged by an attack from above. Several blockhouses were frequently connected by a curtain or wall, in such a way as to inclose an area into which stock could be driven for protection. These walls were constructed of logs set upright in a trench so closely together that they formed a barrier against the arrows and bullets of the foe. A fort of this sort is more properly, however, called a stockade.
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia
Blodget
SAMUEL, an American inventor, born in Woburn, Mass., April 1, 1724. He took part in the French and Indian War; was a member of the expedition against Louisburg, in 1745; and subsequently became a judge of the Court of Common Pleas, in Hillsbora county, N. H. He was the inventor of an apparatus by which he recovered a valuable cargo from a sunken ship near Plymouth, Mass., in 1783. His success led him to go to Europe for similar enterprises, but he met with no encouragement. In 1793 he began the construction of the canal around Amoskeag Falls in the Merrimac which now bears his name. He died in Haverhill, Mass., Sept. 1, 1807.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Bloemfontein
city and capital of the former Orange Free State (name changed by the British, May 29 29, 1900, to Orange River Colony), South Af Africa; on the Modder river, 200 miles W. by N. of Durban, the base of British operations in the war against the Boers. In the war between Great Britain and the South African and Orange Free State Republics in 1899-1900 it was the seat of important military operations. After the appointment of Lord Roberts to the supreme command of the British forces operating against the Boers, he led an expedition against the city and forced its surrender on March 13, 1900, President Steyn escaping capture. Pop. (1918) 15,752.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Blois
the capital of the French department of Loire-et-Cher, 99 miles S. S. W. of Paris, on the Loire, It consists of an upper town, a lower town, and several suburbs. The old castle, which has played an important part in French history, was restored by the Government in 1845. The main entrance is by a fine Gothic portal opening into a quadrangle, on the E. side of which is a pillared cloister, on the N. a pile of buildings in the Renaissance style, on the W. some unfinished buildings, and on the S. is the ancient part begun by the Dukes of Orleans. There is also a cathedral of late date, the Church of St. Nicholas (12th century), a bishop's palace, Roman aqueduct, etc. The castle was long occupied by the counts of the name; and became a favorite residence of the kings of France. Louis XII. was born, Francis I., Henry II., Charles IX., and Henry III. held court here. During the World War Blois was used as a depot and head quarters for the American Expeditionary Force. Pop. about 25,000.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Blondel
a celebrated French minstrel of the twelfth century. He was a favorite of Richard the Lion Hearted, and accompanied him to Palestine. On his return Richard was imprisoned by the emperor of Austria. Blondel set out to find his friend and master and wandered, it is said, from castle to castle seeking him. Learning that some illustrious captive was confined in the tower of a certain Austrian castle, he stationed himself at a distance and began to sing a song that he and Richard had sung together in former days. No sooner had Blondel sung the first stanza than a well known voice took up the song and finished it. Having thus located his master, Blondel repaired to England with all speed, and set on foot measures for Richard's release. The story may not be true, but it is a delightful account of friendship. It has given rise to the expression, "the faithful Blondel." See Richard I; THE TALISMAN.
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia