WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:23.880 We hope our listeners aren't tired of hearing Happy New Year because all of the people connected 00:23.880 --> 00:30.160 with this program wish to extend their hearty and sincere greetings with every wish that 1936 00:30.160 --> 00:35.400 will be full of gladness for you. Few companies have been so long identified with the history 00:35.400 --> 00:41.120 and growth of America as DuPont and so it's fitting that DuPont should present the cavalcade of 00:41.120 --> 00:47.280 America, a series of programs which tell you stories of traditional American spirit. It is 00:47.280 --> 00:51.480 the belief of the sponsor that a very real expression of the nature and tempo of American 00:51.480 --> 00:58.040 life is found in the ideal of DuPont's research chemist. Better things for better living through 00:58.040 --> 01:03.320 chemistry. Your comments on this series of programs will be appreciated very much by 01:03.320 --> 01:09.400 the sponsor. Just mail them to DuPont, Wilmington, Delaware, or to your radio station. 01:09.400 --> 01:20.120 This evening's story concerns the Declaration of Independence. Our cavalcade orchestra sets 01:20.120 --> 01:24.720 the stage with Victor Herbert's American Fantasy which makes use of historic American airs. 05:50.120 --> 06:16.080 Freedom, our dearest heritage was won only after a long and determined struggle and a 06:16.080 --> 06:20.920 document which sets forth our reasons for founding an independent nation did not spring 06:20.920 --> 06:28.360 into being spontaneously as many think. Let us go back to a June evening in 1776. On a street 06:28.360 --> 06:33.280 corner in the metropolis of Philadelphia, a crowd has gathered. On the near side of the street, 06:33.280 --> 06:38.000 two well-dressed middle-aged gentlemen and a young man stop to see what is happening. 06:38.000 --> 06:44.160 Hardly an evening goes by without a gathering such as that one, Yonder. Go over and see what 06:44.160 --> 06:49.720 it is, Philip. Yes, Father. Talking politics as usual, I suppose. How will it all end, Mr. 06:49.720 --> 06:55.760 Dickinson? Well, peacefully, I hope, Mr. Temple. I stand with our King. Like him, I have no patience 06:55.760 --> 06:59.800 with these fellows who are always shouting independence. Perhaps if the King had a little 06:59.800 --> 07:04.920 more patience, these cries of independence would not be heard. When did you join the ranks of the 07:04.920 --> 07:09.760 rebels, Mr. Dickinson? I thought you were one of the staunchest supporters of reconciliation. I am, 07:09.760 --> 07:16.360 Mr. Temple, but I admit that our colonies have been sorely tried. Sorely tried? Bah! This cry for 07:16.360 --> 07:20.520 freedom from the mother country is only from the riffraff. It's not popular in the best circle. 07:20.520 --> 07:24.360 Well, I can't agree with you there, sir. There's General Washington, Dr. Franklin. 07:24.360 --> 07:29.400 Washington is a pyroter and Franklin is a supreme egotist. I'm speaking of men like, 07:29.400 --> 07:36.160 like, like yourself, sir? Well, yes. I owe allegiance to my King and I brought my son up to think as I do. 07:36.160 --> 07:41.320 Father? Yes, Philip? It's a man handing out pamphlets. I brought you one. It's called Common Sense. 07:41.320 --> 07:47.960 Common Sense. Something that's needed in these colonies. I've seen the booklet. It's a dissertation 07:47.960 --> 07:53.880 on independence and the rights of man. Revolutionary twaddle, eh? Well, it should be burned. It's well 07:53.880 --> 07:59.400 written. And though I don't agree with the author, it's worth reading. Who wrote it? I don't know. Some 07:59.400 --> 08:04.720 say John Adams. Others say Dr. Franklin himself. The whole Continental Congress ought to be strung 08:04.720 --> 08:10.480 up, with a few exceptions, such as yourself, Mr. Vickable. Oh, I'm not the only delegate who wants 08:10.480 --> 08:16.080 reconciliation with the Crown. Some of us think that's where our interests lie. Last year there 08:16.080 --> 08:21.480 was a plan to introduce a resolution for independence, but I managed to save it on. But your Congress 08:21.480 --> 08:25.720 sent that renegade Washington to Massachusetts to take charge of a force of rebels. Not rebels, 08:25.720 --> 08:30.520 Mr. Temple. Englishmen like ourselves who are proud of our rights. I'm an Englishman too, 08:30.520 --> 08:37.000 and our discussion seems to have attracted a crowd of your freedom-loving citizens. Oh, hold on, 08:37.000 --> 08:42.600 Mr. Temple, Mr. Dickinson. He's a member of the Continental Congress from our own colony. 08:42.600 --> 08:48.680 He has always been fair. Grants. Well, I'm surprised to see you in such company. A bricklayer 08:48.680 --> 08:54.760 should build, not destroy. Wait a moment, gentlemen. Don't let's have any argument. The watch will be 08:54.760 --> 08:59.680 along shortly. And then I suppose we'll be arrested and shipped to England for trial. He wants 08:59.680 --> 09:04.600 reconciliation with the King. I've seen the petition to you, Wright. We're loyal subjects of the 09:04.600 --> 09:10.120 King. Dutiful children. What answer have you to this pamphlet on common sense, Mr. Dickinson? 09:10.120 --> 09:16.480 My answer will be made at the proper time. I'm not against you. Truly I'm not. I'm as fond of my 09:16.480 --> 09:23.520 country as you are. I sympathize with her ills. I only differ with you regarding the remedy. I can't 09:23.520 --> 09:29.240 help feeling that if the colonists could convince the people of Great Britain, that we're in earnest 09:29.240 --> 09:33.600 about our rights and willing to defend them, the British government will back down as they did in 09:33.600 --> 09:38.240 the case of the Stamp Act. Well, why argue with them, Mr. Dickinson? Traitors should be sent to 09:38.240 --> 09:43.920 prison. Mark my words, this country will never be free of British rule. Don't you ever worry. 09:43.920 --> 09:52.840 Listen to Tom Payne. Thank you, Grants. This bickering won't get you anywhere. If you're looking for a 09:52.840 --> 09:57.560 fight, I'm sure that General Washington will welcome you as recruit. Go on about your business. 09:57.560 --> 10:06.160 I want to talk to this gentleman myself. Yes, go along. All of you. I thank you, sir. I'm in your 10:06.160 --> 10:13.240 depth. Did I catch the name as Payne? Yes, sir. This is Thomas Payne, Mr. Campbell, an Englishman by 10:13.240 --> 10:18.880 birth and an American by adoption. You handle those curs superbly, Miss Payne. Don't call them 10:18.880 --> 10:24.200 curs, sir, lest they turn on you in bite. I felt I must send them away because I am more or less 10:24.200 --> 10:30.000 responsible for their overzealous demonstration. Oh, so, sir, it was this, this treasonable booklet 10:30.000 --> 10:35.280 called Common Sense that made them yell at their bettors. This booklet, sir, was written to excite 10:35.280 --> 10:39.800 the minds of the people. It was conceived as a protest against tyranny and oppression. You are 10:39.800 --> 10:45.960 familiar then with this vicious pamphlet? I wrote it, sir. What? And my intervention on your behalf was 10:45.960 --> 10:50.880 to ask you to read it. You and your son. I'll do no such thing, nor Philip. Yes, father, I'll read it. 10:50.880 --> 10:55.400 Perhaps it will explain to you why there are men like these who have just left us. What do you mean, 10:55.400 --> 11:00.840 sir? We have men like these, sir, because of men like you. Good night, gentlemen. 11:00.840 --> 11:16.600 There were three schools of thought in the colonies, the Tories or loyalists, the moderates who 11:16.600 --> 11:22.000 sought reconciliation, and the patriots who desired separation. But all the patriots were 11:22.000 --> 11:27.680 not as aggressive in their demands as the group that threatened Mr. Temple. We find representatives 11:27.680 --> 11:32.520 of two of these schools talking together as the Continental Congress assembles on the seventh day 11:32.520 --> 11:39.760 of June 1776. John Dickinson, whom we have met, is speaking with John Adams, one of the delegates 11:39.760 --> 11:47.120 from Massachusetts. Good morning, Mr. Adams. Good morning, Mr. Dickinson. I think we have a surprise for you today. 11:47.120 --> 11:53.040 Indeed. Last year it was your turn. Congress adopted your petition to the King and I submitted. 11:53.040 --> 11:57.440 This year I trust you will give way with as good grace. Well, what do you intend to... 11:57.440 --> 12:05.160 You will learn soon after Mr. Hancock calls us to order. Good morning, Dr. Franklin. Good morning, 12:05.160 --> 12:09.160 Mr. Dickinson. May I sit with you and the other members of the Pennsylvania delegation? With 12:09.160 --> 12:15.280 pleasure, sir. What is Adams hinting about? What are you planning? What am I planning? You know, 12:15.280 --> 12:21.000 you are deeply interested in every move Congress makes. I'm interested in everything that goes on 12:21.000 --> 12:29.560 in the world, Mr. Dickinson. Oh, yes. Congress, you please come to order. There is no objection. 12:29.560 --> 12:34.520 We will dispense with the roll call and the readings of the minutes. Repeat, new business. 12:34.520 --> 12:42.080 Do I hear any objections? Any objections, Mr. Dickinson? No. Dr. Franklin, I'm waiting to see 12:42.080 --> 12:47.040 what new move you and your friends are planning. The floor is open for new business. Mr. Chairman? 12:47.040 --> 12:54.880 The chair recognizes Mr. Richard Henry Lee of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, as instructed by my colony, 12:54.880 --> 13:01.240 I move this resolution. Resolve what these United Colonies are and the bright ought to be free and 13:01.240 --> 13:06.680 independent state. They are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown and that all 13:06.680 --> 13:12.840 political connections between them and the state of Great Britain is and ought to be totally dissolved. 13:12.840 --> 13:21.720 Gentlemen, gentlemen, please, do I hear a second? I second the resolution. The resolution is seconded 13:21.720 --> 13:29.000 by Mr. John Adams of Massachusetts. Discussion? Mr. Chairman? Mr. Dickinson? This is far too 13:29.000 --> 13:34.440 important a matter to pass without proper discussion and serious consideration. I move you, sir, 13:35.160 --> 13:40.600 that Congress resolve itself into a committee, a committee of the whole to consider this resolution. 13:40.600 --> 13:47.560 I second the motion. Mr. Dickinson's motion is seconded by Dr. Franklin. Why, you, Dr. Franklin, 13:48.280 --> 13:55.320 I thought we disagreed. We do, John, but the more obstacles you put in our way, the shorter we are 13:55.320 --> 14:00.840 of reaching our goal. It's one of the best traits our English heritage has given us. Question? 14:00.840 --> 14:07.560 Question? I'll put the question. All in favor of Mr. Dickinson's resolution? Aye. 14:18.520 --> 14:24.280 Both sides were eager to postpone the actual vote on the resolution, but many members felt 14:24.280 --> 14:29.400 that it had a good chance of passing, and so a committee was named to draft a declaration 14:29.400 --> 14:34.760 stating the reasons for such a resolution. The committee consisted of Benjamin Franklin, 14:34.760 --> 14:41.320 John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston. Jefferson, considered by 14:41.320 --> 14:46.760 many to be the best writer in the colonies, was chosen to make the original draft. Let us 14:46.760 --> 14:52.760 visit the Gratz house on Market Street, Philadelphia, late in June. Gratz is talking with his wife. 14:52.760 --> 14:58.760 Yes, but Mr. Jefferson hasn't come down to his supper. I think I should call him. No, 14:58.760 --> 15:03.480 don't disturb him. Mr. Adams and Dr. Franklin are with him. There are serious matters being 15:03.480 --> 15:07.480 discussed upstairs. Well, maybe Dr. Franklin and Mr. Adams would like some supper, too. 15:08.440 --> 15:13.240 Must you always be thinking of food? Important plans are being made for the welfare of our 15:13.240 --> 15:17.960 country. Tom Jefferson says that some delegates have been instructed to introduce another 15:17.960 --> 15:22.920 resolution for independence this session. Oh, you're always talking politics and worrying 15:22.920 --> 15:27.960 about the country instead of attending to your business. More members of the Continental 15:27.960 --> 15:32.120 Congress to pack up my floors, I suppose. You don't appreciate the honor that you are 15:32.120 --> 15:35.960 boarding here in our home. Someday this house will be known as a place where history was made. 15:35.960 --> 15:41.560 You wouldn't call it an honor if you had to sweep up after them. Oh, good evening, Mr. 15:41.560 --> 15:48.280 Dr. Dr. Good evening, Mrs. Gratz. It's young Mr. Temple, Father. How are you, Mr. Gratz? Oh, come in, Mr. Phillips. Well, 15:49.080 --> 15:52.680 how can I serve you? I was wondering if you could tell me where I could find more books or 15:52.680 --> 15:57.160 pamphlets like this common sense. Has Mr. Payne written any more? I don't know, Mr. Phillips, 15:57.160 --> 16:01.400 but I'll ask Mr. Jefferson. He will know. I'd be very grateful if you would. Mr. Jefferson's busy 16:01.400 --> 16:07.240 now. He mustn't be disturbed. How does your father feel about your sudden interest in this kind of 16:07.240 --> 16:13.960 literature? Father doesn't know, but I'm convinced his ideas are wrong, Mr. Gratz. Yeah, our country 16:13.960 --> 16:20.680 must come first, before England or any other place. Don't you think so? Yes, Mr. Phillips, I do think so. 16:20.680 --> 16:25.480 My parents came from Germany and settled here. They are like your father. They are always talking 16:25.480 --> 16:31.560 about the old country, but I am an American, and so am I. And our duty lies, I think, with the new 16:31.560 --> 16:36.520 country rather than the old, a place where we intend to live and bring up families. We know what 16:36.520 --> 16:42.840 the future generations, so that they may have a happy and a better place to live. 16:55.640 --> 17:01.000 Meanwhile, in Jefferson's room, he and his colleagues, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, 17:01.000 --> 17:06.760 are formulating the document that was to help make the country a happy and a better place. Well, 17:06.760 --> 17:12.200 Dr. Franklin, now that you've read the draft, what do you think? As a whole, Mr. Jefferson, 17:12.200 --> 17:18.840 I am delighted with it, but I hope you won't be offended if a much older man makes a few slight 17:18.840 --> 17:24.680 suggestions. Certainly not, Dr. Franklin. For instance, you say, when in the course of human 17:24.680 --> 17:31.320 events, it becomes necessary for a people. Now, wouldn't one people be more significant? 17:32.440 --> 17:40.840 Yes. Yes, one people. That's right. And you say, we hold these truths to be sacred and undeniable. 17:41.400 --> 17:47.720 Now, I would prefer we hold these truths to be self-evident. Self-evident is stronger. 17:47.720 --> 17:53.640 And above all, we must be careful not to alienate any of our colonies at this time. 17:53.640 --> 18:00.680 Unless this declaration of our reasons for freedom is passed unanimously by the Continental Congress, 18:00.680 --> 18:06.200 it will utterly fail in its purpose. You're right about that, Dr. Franklin. It must be the 18:06.200 --> 18:12.200 unanimous will of the United Colonies. Now, I've called the colonies the United States of America. 18:12.680 --> 18:16.440 Do you like that term, Dr. Franklin? Yes, Mr. Jefferson, I do. 18:16.440 --> 18:22.360 The United States of America. May they ever stand so. 18:35.480 --> 18:39.480 Discussion after discussion caused further postponement of any definite action. 18:39.480 --> 18:46.360 On July 1st, 1776, the Committee of the Whole met and advised the passage of the Lee Resolution. 18:46.360 --> 18:53.560 The vote was nine colonies for and four against. We find Franklin, Jefferson, and Adams the night 18:53.560 --> 19:00.920 of July 1st discussing the situation. Nine votes out of 13. No, it's not enough. 19:01.800 --> 19:06.760 If the resolution isn't passed unanimously tomorrow, the rest of the world will never believe our 19:06.760 --> 19:13.720 colonies are united. Never believe we are the United States of America. Four colonies against. 19:13.720 --> 19:21.160 Delaware, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, and New York. The Delaware delegation is evenly divided. 19:21.800 --> 19:27.400 The New York delegation has no instructions and none could possibly arrive by tomorrow. 19:28.040 --> 19:33.800 The South Carolina delegates feel that their instructions aren't broad enough to allow them 19:33.800 --> 19:37.000 to vote affirmatively. Rutledge has called them together tonight. 19:37.720 --> 19:42.920 Perhaps his eloquence may persuade them. I'm worried about Delaware. The vote will always 19:42.920 --> 19:50.040 remain one to one. McKean for and read against. We can't count on Delaware. McKean told me that 19:50.040 --> 19:55.960 he'd sent a post writer for Caesar Rodney. As the third member of the delegation, he's sure to favor 19:55.960 --> 20:01.400 the resolution. Rodney's 80 miles away and they say he's a sick man. We can't expect him to arrive 20:01.400 --> 20:06.040 in time to vote. It's your own Pennsylvania delegation that worries me most, Dr. Franklin. 20:06.840 --> 20:12.200 That's a negative majority that no amount of eloquence or persuasion can change. I know, I know. 20:13.080 --> 20:19.880 Dickinson and Morris are sincere. So are Willing and Humphreys. Four to three against. 20:21.960 --> 20:27.400 Come in. Good evening, gentlemen. Good evening. Good evening, Mr. Dickinson. I trust I'm not 20:27.400 --> 20:33.320 interrupting. Why not at all? Come in, Dickinson. We were just discussing you. Not too harshly, 20:33.320 --> 20:39.480 I trust. Gentlemen, I was much impressed with the vote today. So much so that you wish to change 20:39.480 --> 20:47.000 yours, I hope. No, doctor. I still believe in reconciliation, but I love my country too well to 20:47.000 --> 20:54.600 hold out against wishes of majority. I know that independence must pass and I realize the necessity 20:54.600 --> 21:02.280 for an undivided front. My conscience won't permit my voting for the resolution, but I can stay away 21:02.280 --> 21:07.800 from the Congress. That would make a tie in the Pennsylvania delegation, Mr. Dickinson. I'm on my 21:07.800 --> 21:13.400 way to talk to Morris. If he also remained away tomorrow, you would have a majority in the 21:13.400 --> 21:19.320 Pennsylvania delegation. Mr. Dickinson, you and I have long been opponents. Now I want to express 21:19.320 --> 21:26.440 my appreciation and gratitude, sir. Of course. I can't promise for Morris. Tomorrow will tell the 21:26.440 --> 21:41.320 tale. We must wait for tomorrow. On the morning of July 2nd, the delegates of the Continental 21:41.320 --> 21:47.720 Congress assemble to vote on the Lee Resolution. Franklin and Adams are seated together not far 21:47.720 --> 21:55.080 from the chairman, John Hancock, as the voting proceeds. There's eight. New Hampshire, Massachusetts, 21:55.080 --> 22:03.960 Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina. Four more to come 22:04.600 --> 22:11.080 with New York not voting. The chair calls on Mr. Gwinnett of the Georgia delegation. Georgia votes 22:11.080 --> 22:18.680 in favor of the revolution. The South Carolina delegation, Mr. Rutledge. Mr. Chairman, last 22:18.680 --> 22:24.520 night we held a meeting of the South Carolina delegates. Lasted well into the morning. We have 22:24.520 --> 22:30.360 come to the conclusion that our instructions are broad enough to allow us to vote on the question. 22:31.080 --> 22:37.480 South Carolina votes in the affirmative. Rutledge must have been very eloquent. 22:37.480 --> 22:42.120 Well, I'm beginning to breathe easier. There are still two more and... 22:42.120 --> 22:49.000 At the request of Colonel McKean of Delaware, I have postponed calling on that colony until 22:49.000 --> 22:53.800 an attempt has been made to secure a full representation. Yesterday the vote was even. 22:53.800 --> 22:57.800 Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman. Yes, Colonel McKean, now. I was just calling on you. 22:57.800 --> 23:02.120 Mr. Chairman, I beg to report. Our third delegate, Mr. Caesar Rodney, has just arrived. 23:02.120 --> 23:06.920 He has written all night and wishes to apologize for rushing in so unceremoniously. 23:06.920 --> 23:11.720 But thanks to his arrival, the Delaware delegation supports the resolution two to one. 23:11.720 --> 23:17.560 Only your own colony left, Dr. Franklin. Yes, only Pennsylvania. Dr. Franklin, 23:18.040 --> 23:25.080 have the other members of your delegation arrived yet? No, Mr. Chairman, and I am certain now 23:25.080 --> 23:31.080 that Mr. Dickinson and Mr. Morris are not coming. I therefore announce that the Pennsylvania 23:31.080 --> 23:39.720 delegation stands three to two in favor of independence. Well, my eyes, with the New York 23:39.720 --> 23:45.560 delegation in sympathy but not voting, I think we may call it unanimous. It is unanimous. 23:45.560 --> 23:50.360 Mark my words, Dr. Franklin. July 2nd will be a day of rejoicing and celebration in these 23:50.360 --> 24:03.800 United States until the end of time. For July 2nd, the day the resolution was passed, 24:03.800 --> 24:09.000 is not the day we celebrate. On July 4th, after much discussion as to its wording, 24:09.000 --> 24:13.640 the formal declaration of independence, little change from Jefferson's original draft, 24:13.640 --> 24:17.800 was adopted unanimously by the assembled representatives of the United Colonies. 24:17.800 --> 24:22.760 On July 8th, the people of Philadelphia are gathered outside the state house to hear the 24:22.760 --> 24:29.080 declaration read by John Nixon. On the outskirts of the crowd stands young Philip Temple with his 24:29.080 --> 24:34.680 father. I can't see why you dragged me here, Philip. You've read that document yourself, 24:34.680 --> 24:39.480 but Mr. Gibson, you almost know it by heart. We can't hear anything here anyway. I want to see 24:39.480 --> 24:43.320 how the people take it, Father. The people, eh? I notice not many of our friends are here. 24:43.320 --> 24:46.440 Many of our friends have fled the town, Father. Yeah, that is true, son. 24:46.440 --> 24:49.640 I'm glad you're staying. I'm waiting to see the outcome of all this. 24:49.640 --> 24:55.560 Anyone can put words on paper, but will they live up to their word? Will they sign this declaration? 24:55.560 --> 24:58.840 Indeed they will, Mr. Temple. I'm sure of that. We'll see, Gratt. 24:58.840 --> 25:04.360 This is a great occasion, isn't it, Mr. Gratt? A day to remember that. I'm glad to see you taking 25:04.360 --> 25:08.200 an interest, Mr. Temple. I feared perhaps you'd left town with your friends. 25:08.200 --> 25:11.160 Father's staying in Philadelphia, but I'm leaving town, Mr. Gratt. 25:11.160 --> 25:14.760 You, Philip? Tomorrow I start for Boston to join General Washington. 25:14.760 --> 25:17.400 Oh, good lad. Does your father approve? 25:17.400 --> 25:22.040 Hmm, boys of age. If I tried to stop him, your liberty boys would try to run me out of town, 25:22.040 --> 25:26.040 I suppose. Don't mind what Father says. I really think he's rather proud of me. 25:26.040 --> 25:30.040 Mr. Nixon has finished reading this declaration. 25:30.040 --> 25:38.040 Those men in Congress have pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their honor. 25:38.040 --> 25:42.040 Could I do less? Every church bell in Philadelphia seems to be ringing. 25:42.040 --> 25:52.040 Yeah, ringing in a new era. They've given us the ideal. It's our duty to make it real. 25:52.040 --> 26:10.040 On August 2nd, a delegate's assembled. 56 signatures were affixed to the document. 26:10.040 --> 26:18.040 Each man pledging his life, his fortune, and his sacred honor to uphold the principles of freedom and equality 26:18.040 --> 26:24.040 so that we and future generations should have life, liberty, and the chance for happiness. 26:24.040 --> 26:32.040 There are no braver names than these in the cavalcade of America. 26:32.040 --> 26:38.040 The American spirit of independence is well exercised by the American housewife as she does her daily shopping. 26:38.040 --> 26:44.040 A good example of Mrs. Housewife's firm intention to get the things she buys in first-class condition, 26:44.040 --> 26:50.040 fresh, clean, and sanitary, and to see exactly what she's buying, 26:50.040 --> 26:56.040 is shown by the revolutionary improvements in packaging during recent years, particularly transparent wrapping. 26:56.040 --> 27:04.040 The story of transparent wrapping, or cellulose film, which is another name for it, is a mighty interesting story of chemistry. 27:04.040 --> 27:12.040 First manufactured in 1898 in England to wrap the famous pair of soap, and improved in 1908 by a French chemist, 27:12.040 --> 27:19.040 this material is now made in the United States. DuPont makes and sells it under the trademark cellophane. 27:19.040 --> 27:25.040 Maybe you have seen, or you will see, the recent spectacular moving picture of Midsummer Night's Dream, 27:25.040 --> 27:32.040 in which 700,000 yards of cellophane were used to create the beautiful illusion of fairyland. 27:32.040 --> 27:39.040 Or you may have seen pianos and automobiles wrapped in cellophane. But these are the novel and unusual uses. 27:39.040 --> 27:46.040 The importance of cellophane to you is the way it protects your health by guarding things from dirt and germs, 27:46.040 --> 27:50.040 and also the way it keeps foods fresh and delicious. 27:50.040 --> 27:57.040 How can man produce a substance as shimmery as a moonbeam and as elusive as thin air out of the towering spruce tree? 27:57.040 --> 28:01.040 Because that's exactly where cellophane cellulose film comes from. 28:01.040 --> 28:06.040 Chips of spruce wood go through various chemical processes to end up as a thick liquid. 28:06.040 --> 28:10.040 Then an amazing transformation takes place in one step. 28:10.040 --> 28:16.040 As the liquid cellulose is forced through a long, narrow slot, it flows evenly into an acid bath, 28:16.040 --> 28:20.040 and the instant it touches the acid, it coagulates and becomes solid. 28:20.040 --> 28:28.040 Then it's purified and bleached until it's as clear as crystal, and made flexible for easy and secure wrapping. 28:28.040 --> 28:32.040 DuPont chemists made many improvements in the original discovery. 28:32.040 --> 28:38.040 They found how to make this transparent wrapping moisture-proof to protect the freshness of foods and tobacco. 28:38.040 --> 28:47.040 In short, the thing to remember is that cellophane cellulose film is something chemistry has created to protect you by protecting the things you buy. 28:47.040 --> 28:55.040 It well illustrates the creed of DuPont research chemists, better things for better living through chemistry. 28:55.040 --> 29:00.040 This program has come to you through the courtesy of DuPont, one of America's oldest enterprises, 29:00.040 --> 29:04.040 makers of chemical products since 1802. 29:04.040 --> 29:12.040 It's one of a series of programs in the cavalcade of America, presented by DuPont each Wednesday evening at 8 o'clock Eastern Standard Time 29:12.040 --> 29:15.040 over the Columbia Broadcasting System. 29:15.040 --> 29:21.040 When presented on the air, each program also contains a short, interesting story of chemical achievement, 29:21.040 --> 29:27.040 illustrating the DuPont chemists' creed, better things for better living through chemistry.