jerry.ice Posted October 24, 2009 Share Posted October 24, 2009 Anybody else see The One Show last night? In amongst the usual chit-chat was the story of how conkers were used in the production of cordite in WW1! One of those little Oddities that crops up on the 'One Show' from time to time: NB available on BBC iplayer so probably UK only - and only available for limited time http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00nf...how_23_10_2009/ Forward to appx 0:28:30 Summary: Conkers & Chestnuts collected by schoolkids during WW1 for conversion to Acetone at Holton Heath for use in manufacturing Cordite using a fermentation process developed by a Dr. Weizman (Acetone had previously been imported, but the war resulted in supply problem); some views shown of some seperation tanks used in the process which still exist at Holton Heath (near Poole, Dorset) today, and a demonstration of the difference in power between Cordite & powder concluding with a spectacular (but wasteful ) demonstration involving the destruction of small shed! and the dreaded Wikipedia has some further info on Holton Heath & Dr. Weizman http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Navy_Co...y,_Holton_Heath Well you learn something new everyday! Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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