Inventions, Processes, and Wrinkles.

New Printing Process.—A new patent process of printing imitation type-writer circulars is advertized in our American exchanges, and a specimen sheet of the work is bound in. The imitation of type-writer work is perfect. Our impression is that it is worked on an ordinary machine, from an ordinary « type-writer » fount, but without printing-ink, instead of which an aniline sheet is interposed between the type and paper, thus producing a rough and blotted impression precisely resembling that of the machine. We have ourselves taken « pulls » of type that we did not wish to ink, in this manner, with carbonic paper.

Paper Horse Shoes.—A German paper relates that Julius Goldberg, of Weissensee, near Berlin, has succeeded in producing a practicable and excellent horse-shoe. He has employed two methods—one by pressing layers of paper together, and the other by pressing pulp, special preparation being required in each case—but the former method produces the best results. The shoes absolutely resist moisture and all substances with which a horse's foot comes in contact, do not wear smooth and slippery, are exceedingly durable, and may be glued or cemented to the hoof instead of being nailed. The shoe is elastic and easy, and it is believed will prove to have permanent value.

A New Copying Process.—An ingenious development of the principle on which lithography depends is embodied in a recent invention called « The Zinco-Copyist. » The apparatus consists, essentially, of a pad something of the nature of the hektograph pads, mounted on a piece of wood, to which is hinged a piece of zinc—the relation of the two being that of the tympan and bed of an ordinary hand letterpress. The original is written or drawn or photographed on the zinc plate and fixed or etched thereon with a solution. The plate is then damped with a sponge and rolled as in lithography. It is then turned over upon the pad, the writing or drawing on it being transferred by pressure. The pad is printed from in the ordinary way. The work thus produced is equal to lithographic, in every respect. One advantage of the process is that any tyro can do the transferring—the chief difficulty in lithography. Another advantage is that the thin zinc plate, being movable, can be put aside and another used. The writing or drawing is done on it as easily as on ordinary cardboard. An artist can carry about with him a supply of such plates and print direct from them as required. The process is a thoroughly practical and useful one, as printers will find who adopt it in the ordinary way of business. Stationery Trades Journal.

Instantaneous Stereotyping.—What appears to be an important improvement in stereotyping is the recent invention of Printer Friedrich Schreiner and Dr Arnold Schott, of Philadelphia. The invention consists of a special matrix made from cotton and asbestos, with a face of stereotypers' ordinary cream tissue, and a backing of wood pulp. With this matrix no heating of type is necessary, as it can be dried from cold type in from half a minute to a minute and a half. Large open spaces need not be filled in or backed. A large number of casts can be made from one matrix. The matrix can be used a year or more after being made. From the foregoing claims of the patentees, which appear to be confirmed by an examination of several of the matrices made by this « cold-type process, » it will be seen that some important advantages have been gained. The most important is that of time—doing away almost entirely with the twelve to fifteen minutes required to dry the matrix under the system now in vogue. The type, not being heated, will not become soft on the bottom, nor « bottle-arsed »; hence a less frequent renewal of body founts will be required. This may not tend to the benefit of the typefounder, but the heart of the newspaper publisher will rejoice thereat. The absence of heat will also allow woodcuts to be used the same as in stereotyping from plaster. Mr Schreiner, one of the patentees, is a compositor on the Philadelphia German Demokrat, and Dr Schott, the other patentee, is his brother-in-law. Conjointly they have worked until success has been achieved, and well deserve the substantial reward that awaits the introduction of their invention.—Printers' Circular.