• DOI:10.1515/mfir.1994.23.1.15
• Corpus ID: 162380229

The Curse of Acetate; Or, a Base Conundrum Confronted

@inproceedings{Bourke1994TheCO,
  title={The Curse of Acetate; Or, a Base Conundrum Confronted},
  author={Thomas A. Bourke},
  year={1994}
}

• T. Bourke
• Published 1994
• Biology

This issue of Microform Review carries an interesting article by Philippe Rouyer on the early history of photographic stock used for microfilming purposes in libraries during its early days in the mid to late 1930's. Rouyer primarily concerns himself with the types of photographic film emulsions used and the development processing required. He points out, however, that this period also witnessed the introduction of cellulose acetate base in lieu of the cellulose nitrate base previously used in the motion picture industry. Adelstein notes that Kodak ceased manufacture of cellulose nitrate in the United States in 1951 and manufacture worldwide was essentially terminated in the 1950's. (Adelstein (A) p.94). In an earlier article appearing in the Summer 1993 issue of MR Rouyer discussed the evolution of film bases from cellulose nitrate through various stages of cellulose acetate and finally to polyester. He pointed out the superiority of polyester but did not specifically focus in on the problems caused by cellulose acetate film.