The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-09-05
The Lightning Law Case.

Can general principle be patented! and, if so
can patent for steam paddle wheels cover the
screw propeller, and other machines, merely be-
cause they are propelled by the general principle
the general principle of communicating intelli-
gence by electricity Can that be maintained !
The following very accurate description of the
general principle, and of Professor Morse's first
machine, appeared In the Journal of the American
Institute, for January. 1888 1t will repay the Pc
rusal at this time. Professor Morse, we understand
pronounced IL accurate, and the best description
that had been published, both OF the machine, and
also of the general principle OF communicating
intelligence.
ELECTROMAGNETIC TELEdRAP
BY MANNER
Read at the Stated Meeting of the Institute
TO the Corresponding Secretary. 5c.-In compliance
with your request herewith send you brief descrp-
tion Of the electro magnetic telegraph Of Professor
Morse, who has recently completed appar atus of
sufficient size and perfection, to demonstrate, in
very plausible manner, the prscticabty of communal
ath, by the agency or wire to conduct the gavanic
fluid or voaic electricity (Which the opinion of
known to move with the rapidity of light itself
Mr.. More employs copper wire conductors, ten
miles long for CONVENE nee, this wire is wound
reel to prevent contact, the wire il covered with
cotton thread. which being bad conductor of
the votac electricity follows the wire in its course
the during the whole length (ten miles) the
same as If the wire extended through the air.
The spark shock produced ut one end (by bring
ing the two poles Of galvanc battery in contact is
instantly carried by the conducting wire the other
end where piece of soft iron horse shoe form re-
ceves the spark, (galvanic fluid and instantly be-
comes electro magnet, which continues its attrac-
ting properties only long the poles In contact
at the other end This facility of rendering iron
mag netic and dvestng it again of its magnetic pro-
perties, constitutes the medium of communicating
any word or number Of words, in the dictionary.
In the foregoing description there is nothing new,
so far regards discovery by Professor Morse for
the idea Of electro magnetic telegraph has been
discussed long time, and two plans for that
purpose, were some time since patented in England
The possibility of communicating intelligence by this
fluid, would naturally have suggested itself to Gavau
it's discoverer to Volta, Carlisle Nicholson Cruk
sbanks, DR.. Wollastsn Sir II. Davy, and others, by
sole have received their gradual and beautiful
veopement
The improvement discovered ~ nr .,., Morse
consists OF Two rery ingenious machines one at each
eho 81 the wire, 30 communicate the intelligence In
the most portable FORM and to receive and register it
with great expedition and facility will describe it
thus:-First station-a dictionary, with q number for
every word in the language-types, resembling pieces
of saw blade, having from to nine teeth repre-
sent the nine digts these types are say, and
three quarter inches from bottom Tower part of the
teeth and quarter inch more for height of tooth
would make them two inches also, types two inches
high without teeth, and of various breadths to repre-
sent spaces. (the space type are neced with the
digit type but will treat them distinct in order to
explain more clearly their use) there are also type
one and three quarter inches long and half an inch
bread to represent cypher. Now suppose the COM
Steamboat Caroline burned,
1886 LOG 70
the number under each word is there registered in the
dictionary. The types now put in long groove.
thus -