From the September 13, 1930, issue
By Science News
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SQUATTY STEEL TANK
If you fill a rubber balloon with water, put the inside under about 15 pounds pressure, and set it down on a table, it will assume a shape very much like that of the huge metal tank shown on the front cover. In fact, that is the very reason this tank was built as a bulging spheroid.
For the same amount of steel, a tank made in this odd shape will hold more liquid than one of the usual cylindrical design. As much material as possible is used for a direct purpose and as little as possible merely to maintain shape. The bottom, shell, and roof form a more-or-less continuous curve, and much of the bursting force is transferred from the sides to the roof and bottom so that practically all the metal is used for effective stress purposes.