Item 9: Singeing, 1952

Gelatin silver print. Image depicts a singeing machine. This machine appears to have been manufactured by Birch Brothers, Inc. of Somerville, Mass.; Birch Brothers manufactured textile dyeing and finishing machinery. Text: "Singeing. Fabrics as received from the loom contain fibers which protrude from top and bottom surfaces. These fibers must be removed to obtain a smooth fabric. The two methods most commonly used are passing the fabric at high speed over a hot gas flame, or over a superheated copper bar. This operation removes the protruding fibers." 25 x 20.5 cm. (w/out mount); 27 x 20.5 cm. (w/mount).