Canadian genius

WHAT CANADIAN | in-
ventor gave the world a
better light long before the
light bulb?

By Marsha Boutton
Contributing Writer

If you knew that a failed horse
trader named Abraham Gesner in-
vented kerosene, you may also
know that his methods and pro-
cesses of distilling oil from
hydraca cons led to the establish-
ment of the entire petrachemical
industry.

Abraham Gesner was a farmer's
son, born in 1797 and raised near
Corawallis Dyke, on the west side
of the Nova Scotia Peninsula. He
spent his youth collecting rocks
and dabbling in chemistry.

Jobs were scarce in the Mari-
times following the War of 1812,
so Gesner turned to horse trading,

He planned to ship horses to the
West Indies for profil. His first
venture was successful; however,
subsequent attempts foundered —

quite literally.

Under the threat of disgrace
from his crediturs, Gesner's fae
ther-in-law sent tim to England
touttend medical school,

Gesner spent gloomy days in the
dissecting roots und devated his
evenings to discussions of geology
and chemistry with London scien-
tists.

Returning to Nova Scatia in!
1827, he chose Parrsboro as the
location for his practice more for
its interesting terrain than for its
medical prospects.

During this time he could often
be seen travelling the countryside
on horseback in the company of
Miemac Indians and playing the
flute while they helped him gather
geological specimens,

His published treatises on
geology estublished his reputation
and from 1838 to 1842 he served
us geologist fur the government of
Nova Scotia. His optimistic
reports about various mineral de-
posits led several speculators to
rush into) ventures that went
bankrupt.

Golden yellow symbolizes wealth

From page 15

wealth, status and affluence.

Renaissance painters produced it
by mixing egg yolk with powdered
pigments and water.

Another combination of
strongly contrasting complemen-
tary colors is blue and orange.

Thave long been intrigued by
the description of the Galla
Ptacidia at Ravenna in Italy which
is known for its beautiful soft grey
light.

The Iuminous quality of the

Made in
Germany
and Italy

light is caused by orange-tinted
alabaster windows which project
light on to blue mosaic walls.

{ would like to wish each one of
you a joyful and relaxing holiday
season and feave you (o dream up
a wonderful blue and orange color
scherne.

Please write to me at the North
Shore News if you have any ques-
tions.

Edith Saatkanip is an interior
designer who teaches design and
decoration on the North Shore.

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Le

Gesner wis held responsible,

He opened a museum of his ar
tifacts in Saint Joba, and wher it
failed, fis creditors accepted the
collection in place of payimnent.
Many of Gesner’s pieces formed
partof the foundation of the New
Hrunswick Museu,

Geaner returned to medical
practice in) Cornwallis, devoting
his spare time to scientific experi-
nents, dnd pursuing his interest in
refining hydrocarbons.

At an 1846 lecture in’ Prince
Edward Island, he introduced a
substance he citlled *keroselain”’

after a Greek word meaning wax
oil, Tt was clear, white off that he
distilled fram the treated vapors
af heated coal.

Candles, whale oil and other il-
luminants of the day produced
dingy light: and greasy, odorous
smoke. Burning thid composed of
turpentine and alcohol produced a
bright light, often accampanied by
explosions,

Gesner’s oi} could be handled
sasily and burned with a brilliant
yellow Tight that produced almost
no smoke,

In 1854, and

Gesner secured

ehind introduction of kerosene

sold his patents. Wealthy devel-
opers in Lone Island, N.Y. set up
a factory under his guidance, and
Kerosene became the most siue-
cessful lamp oil ever produced.

Unfortunately, business was not
his strong suit, and in the fate
1850s) Gesner found himself
released from his pesition as the
campany chemist,

Abrahim Gesner — a true C
nadian genius -- died in 1864. His
other inventions included charcoal
briguets, asphalt) paving, wood
preservative and insulated — elec-
trical wire.