Yulia Solovyova | 18 November 2018
OverviewKeeping Eyes
Fahrenheit 451 is one of the most popular dystopian novels. It certainly received recognition from readers and even critics, continuing to be popular after a whopping 65 years!
A little about creation. Writer Ray Bradbury was impressed by footage of Nazis burning books that contradicted their ideology. Armed with a pen, Bradbury protested this act in his work.
The author came up with the title of the work when he was talking with a firefighter he knew, who told his interlocutor an interesting fact: paper spontaneously ignites at 451 degrees Fahrenheit. However, soon attentive readers noticed that there was a mistake in the name, because it spontaneously ignites at 451 degrees Celsius. Bradbury admitted the mistake, citing that the fireman simply mixed up the scale.
What does the writer tell us about in his work? The main theme of the novel is how important books are in a person’s life. The plot tells us about a future society that does not recognize any fiction. The author shows a consumer society incapable of thinking sensibly. The media and the government take advantage of this, because now people can be controlled like puppets. The media covers the news in such a way that people think that the problems occurring in the country are not so terrible. And what kind of problems can we talk about when primitive entertainment takes over people?
Ray Bradbury also touched on the topic of family. In this future, the family has lost its former functions. There is no spiritual closeness between family members due to developing egoism. Now children can be given to be raised by “TV walls”, and a husband who goes off to war is forgotten as soon as he crosses the threshold of the house. People in this society have lost moral values, now they only worry about satisfying their basic needs (and no, I’m not talking about Freud’s pyramid, it seems they have long forgotten about his existence).
The book in this society is perceived as a weapon of mass destruction of humanity. And every time books or libraries are found in someone's home, these homes are immediately burned. No matter how funny it may sound, this is done by firefighters, who now do not put out fires, but start them.
The main character in this work becomes an example of the fact that people are able to begin to think sensibly again, despite the influence of the authorities. A desire awakens in him to learn as much as possible about books; Guy Montag reads them in secret from everyone. But he does not understand the meaning that these books carry, because he was never taught to think. Surprisingly, our character finds people who are ready to help him get on the right path.
Ray Bradbury well portrayed what awaits us if books are banned: the complete degradation of society, which can be “twisted”, “twisted” as you please.
This novel is a must read for each of you because it really helps us realize the importance of the experiences of past generations contained in books.
I had a friend who constantly confused the titles of books. For example, she called “451 degrees Fahrenheit” “451 degrees Celsius,” and Orwell’s “1984” in her head turned into “1982” or “1980.” She was terribly angry about this - both at herself (at her memory) and at me (I was always correcting her).
So, I think she would be very surprised if she found out that her “bad memory for names” is not so bad...
***
Just recently, one of the readers left a comment on my post about. She noticed that the paper, contrary to Ray Bradbury's statement, burned at a temperature of 451 degrees Celsius, not Fahrenheit. That is: Bradbury simply mixed up the scale.
While searching for proof links, I came across a wonderful book by Harry Dexter “Why not catch-21?: the stories behind titles” (you can buy it on Amazon)). This book is a collection of articles devoted to the histories of the names of famous books.
And the riddle of the title of Ray Bradbury's novel also finds a solution there: G. Dexter refers to the work of Jens Borch "Handbook of Physical Testing of Paper". Specifically - for this paragraph: "The ignition temperature of paper is about 450 degrees C, but it is somewhat dependent upon the paper quality. The ignition temperature is 450 degrees C for rayon fibers, 475 degrees C for cotton, and 550 degrees C for flame-resistant cotton".
It turns out that Bradbury really made a mistake (which, of course, does not make his novel less significant and wonderful; or Bradbury himself less talented; I just think this is a very interesting fact). On the other hand, in the text to which G. Dexter refers, we are talking about paper containing cotton and linen fibers (and, as Google tells me, it is used to produce money, for example). Obviously, the pages of books are much thinner than banknotes, so the combustion temperature should be lower. Therefore, everything is not so obvious here. This is a question for physicists, I think...
***
Now about Orwell:
Orwell finished his famous novel on December 4, 1948, so it is believed that the author simply swapped the last two numbers to move the action into the future. In fact, in the drafts the novel was called first “1980”, then “1982”, then “The Last Man in Europe”. But, according to Harry Dexter, the number 1984 is a reference to another dystopia - to Jack London's Iron Heel.
In general, the book “Why not catch-21?: the stories behind titles” is a very interesting read, and certainly a must-read for any bookworm. Under the cover there are collected more than 180 articles on the origin of the names of the most significant works in the history of literature: from antiquity to the present day - Plato, Shakespeare, Rabelais, More, Pushkin, Dostoevsky, Heller, O'Henry, Baum and many, many others.
For example, did you know that Joseph Heller's novel Catch-22 was originally called Catch-18 in manuscript? The problem is that in 1961, literally before the publication of “The Catch,” Leon Uris’ book “Honey 18” appeared on the market, and the publishers decided that two books with the number “18” in the title were somehow too much, they say that readers will confuse them. That's why Heller changed the name. So it goes.
"Manuscripts don't burn!" - wrote the famous Russian prose writer and playwright M. Bulgakov. In fact, the legendary quote has nothing to do with real facts. Fire easily turns fibrous material into ash, and the ignition temperature of paper depends on its type, air humidity, oxygen level in the atmosphere and the power of the heat source.
The essence of the process
From a scientific point of view, combustion is a chemical oxidation reaction that produces heat, carbon monoxide, hydrogen and other gaseous substances. we observe it in the form of smoke with a pungent, specific odor. Typically, paper will ignite in the presence of an oxidizer and an ignition source, but spontaneous combustion is also possible. Oxygen acts as an oxidizing agent; it must be at least 14% in the air.
Dry paper sheets or rolls can be ignited by an open flame, an electrical or mechanical spark, or a heated object. The absorption of paper by fire begins with an exothermic reaction; if nothing is done in time, the process initiated by ignition does not die out and soon turns into a stable combustion.
Characteristics
As you know, for the industrial production of paper, wood, cotton, flax fibers, hay or recyclable materials (waste paper) are used. At the initial stage of processing, the boiled wood pulp, which is destined to become material for writing, drawing and other human needs, contains up to 95% water. After drying, the paper becomes dense, smooth and sensitive to fire.
Different printing methods place their own demands on sheets in terms of density, texture, and color, so the ignition temperature of paper differs slightly depending on its type. So, for the photo to light up, the degrees Celsius must exceed 365 °C. To obtain a glossy material, resin is added to the composition, which helps accelerate the thermochemical reaction.
If the housewife in the kitchen is dealing with a material made from fatty cellulose, which does not need to be pre-oiled, then the ignition temperature of the baking paper will be 170 °C. But, as a rule, the heat resistance coefficient of “professional” baking films with silicone impregnation is much higher (up to 250-300 ° C). Special fire-resistant paper almost does not support combustion, has good mechanical strength, heat-resistant fiber can withstand temperatures above 1,000 ° C.
Ignition temperature of paper in Celsius
In Russia and a number of other countries, including European ones, degrees Celsius are used to measure temperature, which are also used in the International System of Units (SI) along with kelvin. defined 0 °C as the melting point of ice, and at 100 °C water boils. As for the ignition temperature of paper, remember the famous epigraph to the novel by Ray Bradbury?
"451 degrees Fahrenheit is the temperature at which paper ignites and burns."
After the publication of the book "451 degrees Fahrenheit" it turned out that there was a mistake in the title: fire on the surface of paper pages occurs at a temperature of 451 degrees Celsius, and not on the Fahrenheit scale. The bestselling author later admitted that, after consulting with a firefighter friend, he simply confused the temperature equivalents.
Fire point of paper in Fahrenheit
Residents of England and the United States are more accustomed to using the Fahrenheit scale, which is named after the physicist Gabriel Fahrenheit, where zero degrees Celsius is 32 °F. For a long time, the scale of the German scientist was used in all English-speaking countries, but in the late 70s of the last century it was almost completely replaced by the Celsius scale. The freezing point of water in Fahrenheit is + 32°, and the boiling point is + 212°. By simple calculations, you can determine that the combustion process of paper or cardboard starts if the dry material is heated to 843 degrees Fahrenheit.
Combustion or Ignition: What's the Difference?
Ignition is considered to be the beginning of paper combustion under the influence of an ignition source. In essence, this is the starting mechanism after which the chain reaction begins. If you manage to react in time, you can extinguish the fire without outside help.
Ignition is always accompanied by a stable flame, and the light and heat necessary to maintain the fire are released. The greatest danger is from loose paper: it is sufficiently saturated with oxygen to be ignited by a spark or local heat. Several degrees can be added or subtracted to the average combustion temperature of paper, depending on the quality of the fiber and combustion conditions.
High temperature measurement method
Measurement has its own specific features and difficulties. To determine the ignition temperature of paper or any other flammable material, you need a pyrometer. It is also called an infrared thermometer or temperature detector. There are optical, radiation and spectral pyrometers. An electronic device is indispensable in cases where you cannot get close to the fire.
A pyrometer is a precision engineering device that is designed to measure the power of thermal radiation in a non-contact manner. The device serves as an excellent alternative to contact means; it can be used to remotely calculate the temperature of hot objects or be used as heat locators in various industrial fields. You can determine at what temperature paper ignites using a low-temperature pyrometer.
Is spontaneous combustion possible?
A sharp self-acceleration of exothermic reactions without the external influence of a flame or a hot body leads to self-ignition. The self-ignition temperature of paper is around 450 °C. When determining the indicator, the degree of moisture of the material, its composition, and the presence or absence of pigment dyes are taken into account. Simply put, a “fire” made from waste paper can ignite on its own when the ambient temperature reaches a critical level.
A decrease in air humidity and an increase in oxygen concentration in the combustion zone affect the auto-ignition temperature, reducing it. Oiled sheets of paper are prone to thermal spontaneous combustion after drying, but tapes in rolls burn reluctantly. If heat and smoke are produced but there is no flame, the process is called smoldering.
By the way, illusionists often use self-igniting paper in their performances. For example, a sheet soaked in sodium peroxide will light up quickly and brightly upon contact with a small amount of water. The spectacle is very impressive, but quite dangerous, so it is not recommended to perform the “trick” at home without certain technical skills.
Don't joke with fire!
Paper poses a serious fire hazard; it ignites quickly, actively interacts with vapors and gaseous products contained in the air, and burns intensely. In residential apartments and houses, the source of ignition can be a gas stove, an overheated or faulty electrical appliance, an unextinguished match, or a cigarette. The main cause of domestic fires is human negligence and failure to comply with basic safety rules.
Do not leave paper near heating appliances or overload the electrical network. You cannot place cardboard sheets under a TV, computer, or lighted candles. To prevent paper from becoming a source of fire, never smoke in bed, keep a fire extinguisher and thick fabric in the house - with their help, the flame will not have time to spread to neighboring objects. Workwear, as well as 100% cotton denim, do not ignite easily.
Even if the paper catches fire, act judiciously and do not panic. If possible, eliminate drafts - access to fresh air increases the strength of the fire, cover your face from the acrid smoke with a damp handkerchief, unplug all electrical appliances and, taking important documents, leave the room. By knowing and strictly following the rules of safe behavior, you can prevent the spread of fire without risking your life.
Let's sum it up
It is almost impossible to imagine the daily life of humanity without books, magazines, notebooks, calendars and other printed materials. Paper, which was so highly valued in the ancient world, played an exceptional role in the development of literature and painting, and education. Its irrational use threatens not only the destruction of millions of trees, but will also inevitably lead to a humanitarian catastrophe in the future. Treat paper with care, be vigilant and careful with fire - this is how we will preserve the beauty of our planet and make the world a better place!
Paper, like other flammable materials, is susceptible to ignition when it reaches a certain temperature. In this case, paper ignition occurs in several main cases. The first of them is the influence of external factors, in other words, setting the paper on fire. In this situation, which involves bringing an open flame to a paper sheet, the sheet is exposed to high temperature, resulting in ignition. In this case, the temperature of an open fire, depending on what material is used for combustion, can range from 800 to 1300 ° C: obviously, this temperature is sufficient to ignite paper.However, in some cases, paper can catch fire without any external influence. This is possible in a situation of so-called spontaneous combustion. In this case, self-ignition, that is, the occurrence of an explosion or open fire on the surface of a combustible material, occurs when the ambient temperature reaches a certain critical level.
The indicated critical temperature level depends on the density of the substance, its flammability class and some other indicators. It is worth keeping in mind that paper in this regard is a fairly flammable material. The average ambient temperature at which self-ignition occurs is about 450°C, but may vary somewhat depending on the type and density of the paper, as well as its humidity.
Thus, if paper is placed in an environment whose temperature exceeds 450 ° C, or the temperature of the atmosphere is gradually raised to this value, the paper will spontaneously ignite, that is, an open fire will appear on its surface. A similar reaction will occur if the paper is placed in an environment with a higher temperature, as in the example with an open fire.
451 degrees Fahrenheit
In the literature you can find references to the fact that the auto-ignition temperature of paper is 451 degrees Fahrenheit, which is equivalent to approximately 233 degrees Celsius. At the same time, as an argument to prove this point of view, the title of the novel by American writer Ray Bradbury “451 degrees Fahrenheit” is given, which was allegedly given to him in honor of the burning temperature of paper.A simple experiment with placing paper in an oven at a temperature of 250°C shows that self-ignition of paper does not occur at this temperature. Moreover, in one of his interviews, the writer later admitted that he simply mixed up the designations of temperature scales after consulting with a friend
