Machinist - My little workshop 1926

by Mike Savad

Title

Machinist - My little workshop 1926

Artist

Mike Savad

Medium

Photograph - Hand Colored Photo

Description

Hand colored photo from 1926
Original title: J. E. Reuter Instrument Making Shop
Photographer: Unknown
Location: Arlington, VA

J.E. Reuter is seen hard at work in the instrument shop at the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Fixed Nitrogen Research Laboratory (F.N.R.L.), a key facility during the early 20th century. The F.N.R.L. was established in 1919 at American University, following several wartime initiatives to secure a domestic supply of nitrate compounds. These compounds were vital for the production of explosives during World War I, when imports were uncertain. Initially overseen by the War Department, the lab came under the directorship of Arthur B. Lamb, who helped guide its research.

Reuter's role in the machine shop was critical to the success of the lab's scientific endeavors. He likely designed and fabricated the precision instruments and equipment needed for both experimentation and production. This could include specialized reactors for synthesizing nitrogen compounds, high-pressure vessels, and tools for chemical analysis. Each piece was essential for testing new methods of nitrogen fixation, a process that was crucial for producing not only munitions but also agricultural fertilizers.

By the 1920s, the lab had a staff of roughly 110 individuals, including up to 50 chemists. The F.N.R.L. worked on pioneering technologies that harnessed atmospheric nitrogen, helping fuel both military and civilian industries. Reuter's work would have supported groundbreaking research in this field, with the instruments he created facilitating the development of key chemical processes that contributed to the nation's ability to produce explosives and fertilizers domestically.

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September 27th, 2024

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