Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
SMOKE CONSUMERS
SMOKE CONSUMERS. On May 1, 1894 a smoke ordinance for Dubuque went into effect. While small industries claimed the problems of air pollution were due to large industries, two major businesses took action. H. B. GLOVER COMPANY and JAMES FORESTER AND COMPANY installed smoke consumers on their smoke stacks.
The "consumer" made by Korlin of Burlington, Iowa introduced additional air into the fire box over the fire. The carbon in the smoke and oxygen met resulting in consumption of the carbon and increased heat.
Smaller businesses were waiting to see the results in the two factories before investing in the product themselves.
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Source:
"Smoke Consumers," Dubuque Daily Herald, May 6, 1894, p. 5. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=_OG5zn83XeQC&dat=18940506&printsec=frontpage&hl=en