The Science of Brickmaking

"The Science of Brickmaking" by George Frederick Harris is a manual from the 1800s that explains the details of how bricks are made. It goes over important subjects like where brick materials come from, including information about the geology of brick-earths and the chemistry of different clays. The book also discusses the different steps in the brick-making process. The book teaches brick makers about the materials they use and how to use them best. The book starts by introducing the different types of brick earths that can be found in England, like the layers of clay and loam in places such as Crayford and Ilford. Harris talks about how these layers are arranged and the fossils that are often found within them. He points out how important it is to know where these materials come from geologically, explaining how different kinds of deposits affect whether the earth is good for making bricks. The first section gives background for the technical information ahead and shows how brick-making is tied to history, by mentioning old animal remains and tools found in the brick-earths.