A Short History Lesson

So, if asbestos is so dangerous, how did it get the name “the Magic Mineral”?  To understand the benefits and the dangers of these fibers requires a bit of history.

Let’s start at the beginning.  As far back as recorded time, the ability of asbestos to captivate and entertain because of its fire resistance was considered miraculous.  The ancient Greeks had a number of names for what we call asbestos minerals, such as asbestus, amiantos, and amiant.  Although tracking the wording is complicated unless you can type ancient Greek, the names basically referred to adjectives such as inextinguishable, unquenchable, or quicklime.  400 years before Christ was born, sculptor Callimachus worked for weeks making a statue of gold of the Greek goddess Athene using a wick of “magic flax” which kept burning, night and day, with a flame that would not die.  The wicks in the lamps carried in Rome by the Vestal Virgins were the same, being considered sacred in that the wicks were everlasting and perpetual.

Pliny the Elder then complicated the language a bit in his translation to the Latin noun “asbestinon” which he interpreted to be a non-combustible material and referred to it as live linen which could be cleansed by fire and which was used as shrouds for royalty during cremation.  And this was all before 80 A.D.  And then, of course, is the tale about how Charlemagne avoided going to war by cleaning his rare tablecloth in a fireplace to convince Harun-al-Rashid and his horde of soldiers that he had magical powers.  Add in stories about Marco Polo, and history is full of “claimed” enchantments by this mineral.

So that I don’t bore you, fast forward 1000 plus years from Charlemagne, and asbestos continued to captivate and amaze.   From The Mirror in the U.K. as published in 1830 as proposed dress for firemen:

The reputation of asbestos took a large leap forward starting in the late 1800s with the industrial revolution.  That discussion is best seen and understood if you obtain and read a 164 page book published in 1963 called “Asbestos Fundamentals”.  That book simplifies the complex and, in an easy to read format, allows the reader to say “ok, I get that now”.  Unfortunately, those on the Internet with copies to sell believe in Vulture Pricing which makes the book pretty much unaffordable.  Luckily, I happen to have 2 copies which I am willing to make available to those who really care.  I also have 2 copies of its sister book to share which was published in 1966 entitled “Asbestos with Plastics and Rubber”.

What Asbestos Fundamentals does not address is the danger of asbestos and the potential misuse by companies.  That part of the discussion will start in my next Blog.  As a tease, the following language is contained in a document generated by Johns-Manville on January 15, 1968, and can be found in the bowels of the Motley 1000 Series of Documents:

“In studies of asbestos exposure and human health, research has not shown evidence of any risk to the general public from the use of asbestos products.  There is no scientific evidence that anyone has ever contracted any disease from exposure to the wearing or weathering of brake linings, floor tile, roofing or other products containing asbestos.

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Studies in asbestos-using industries in England and the U.S. indicate that where dust control measure have been taken the risks of lung diseases have been reduced.”

Highlighting added.  As you may know, Johns-Manville filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on August 26, 1982 because of its asbestos related troubles, at the time the largest company in the United States to have done so.  Oh, if you don’t know what the Motley 1000 Series of Documents is, then let me help you climb up the learning curve; there is a lot of history that you are missing.

I would like to address the availability of books on asbestos from the Internet sources.  Because of the money involved in the U.S. asbestos litigation, most of the pricing is artificially and unnecessary high unless you have a lot of time to sort through the materials.  My recommendation is as follows:

1. Ebay seller pricing is the worse of them all.  I very rarely (with exceptions) find books on Ebay for asbestos that are not premium priced.  As an example, the Asbestos Fundamental 164 page book from 1963 discussed above is listed at about $500.  My recommendation is to look at Ebay to find topics that may interest you, but then look to buy them at more reasonable prices.
2. Amazon pricing for used books is better than what I see on Ebay, but you need to take the time to search and compare.
3. Attorney website have some good material, including books which they will send you, but some of the material is more marketing than substance.  If you are searching for historical information or details on specific projects, they typically only provide a high level review.
4. Abebooks is a good source of books on asbestos, including those possessed by people throughout the world. 
5. Hathi Digital Trust is the best source for electronic book copies if they are not covered by copyright laws, sections of books when copyright laws apply, and a listing of the libraries closest to you should you want to obtain and review a hard copy.  The Hathi Digital Trust requires a password which is easy enough to obtain for alumni of major universities, but likely not as available to the general public.

Of course, you can always email me to see what I have available on the topic which interests you.

Please send me your stories as Meso Warriors should you be willing to share with others.   Also, let me know at TheAsbestosBlog@gmail.com those topics which you would like me to address so that I meet your needs. As always, stay safe and be careful out there.