The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1847-05-13
For the Voice of Freedom.
Wonderful Electro Magnetic
Discoveries.

Mr. EDITOR: Among the many recent notices
Of electro magnetic discoveries and inventions, which
have seen published by experinenters and which
are claimed to be new" is one taken from the So
racuse Star, which find in the Voice of the goth ut
We saw piece of iron," says the Star, weighing
four six ounces, suspended in the air." SC.
Another piece was suspended in like manner, (of
smaller dimensions, and made to perform 1000 revo-
buttons per minute, depending for its position solely
upon q current of electricity"
The modus operandi Of suspending this body Of
iron, and of producing this rapid, rotary movement
it seems, is not given; but, have produced the
results nine years ago, it may not be improper
to publish the manner by which bar Of iron can
be suspended in the air. and made to revolve at the
time, supported solely by current Of electric
ity.
In May, 1895 constructed helix ii. c. coil Of
wirc) inches in length, so cooled to admit Dol:
of iron half inch in diameter, of the same length
the helix, to pass freely through its centre
Whenever the piece Of iron was introduced third
of its length into the helix, and current of gavsp-
ism suffered to pass through the length Of the
wire, the iron bolt drawn in with considerable
force. And whenever the coil was placed in q YER
teal position, the bolt was drawn up into it. and OF
course, suspended in the air.
The principle of operating may be briefly stated
as follows When the helix and bolt are thus sus.
pended, if u second current Of galvanism is made to
pass through half Of the bolt of iron, from the
centre to the end so that this half forms part Of
the galvanic circuit, the iron which is freely sus-
pended in tic air, is then powerful electro mag
and Il ,I,r,, 3
gavansm is changed, and thrown through the other
half of the bolt, reversed motion takes place.
AS soon as had made the above discovery, l APP
piled the power Of the helix propeling machinery,
and constructed several models, which were shipped
to England Ireland, Scotland, France and Germany,
for the purpose of obtaining Letters Patent con-
tnued these experiments until 1910, when succeed
ed in constructing helix machine of sufficient pow
er for moving printing press. The belts, two in
number,we - inches in diameter and % inches
long The coils were of the same length and weigh
ed 100 pounds each The power of these helices
was sufficient for suspcnding the bolts In the air,
which experiment was tried, to the alnazement of
| many.
The successful operation Of this machine induced
me to make arrangements for taking the apparatus
to England; supposing it to be q good opportunity
to dispose of my patent which was already obtain
ed in the realm. expected to sail in the steamer
PRESIDENT until tho day the in fated vessel sailed,
when ascertained, much to my chagrin, that
could not obtain the requisite funds for my voyage
I y trend howe7er,made arrangements with the cap
tain of the vessel for my passage out yet did not
feel satisfied to risk myself in foreign country,
without funds for returning to my native land atmy
pleasure and refused the generous offer; but Is
the President and all on board were lost, on their
way out, have never regretted my choice
! THos. DAVENPORT.