The North-Carolinian. [volume] (Fayetteville [N.C.]) 1839-1861, 1850-01-05
NJ 0ST WON NDERF III
INVENTION

NJ ST WON Full
INVENTION !
When We read the following article from the
Washington Union of Friday the 2sth ult we
felt like taking wings and flying. We raised
from our seat and aat down again; rubbed our
eyes to sec If we were asleep; then asked
- can II be possible ?" Is the man crazy or not
We then looked at the editorial remarks Of the
| Union, and we find that the editor is we'll
quainted with Mr. Rufus Porter, whose signature
's affixed to the article below that he was or
Is editor of the Scientific American, most use
fuI and valuable paper that he is w,thal, man
upon whose words the most implicit reliance
may be placed Under these circur,stances we
give Mr. Porter's extraordinary statement to ou ?
readers for their benefit, satisfaction and aston.
| Ishment; promising tn at the discovery IN ade by
| Mr. Paine, as mentioned by Mr. Porter, Of a mode
| of dccomposIns water and reducing it to the
gaseous state, was published in the Caroiinian a
month two ago:
From the Union.
Messrs. Editors l am authorized to
announce the discovery and practical test
Of the most important scientific invention
ever yet produced or brought to light since
the world has been inhabited BY man-an
invention which must eventually, and al
most Immediately, produce an immense
revolution in the commercial intercourse
and business III general throughout the
world and although it will break down
branches Of business and avenues OF wealth,
with hundreds Of wealthy corporations and
business establishments, yet it will build
up thousands of others. and contribute
hundreds of millions to the benefit Of man
kind. especially to the American COM
munity.
The first and main feature, and fountla-
ton of this invention. and which at once
opens field for hundreds Of other inven-
tons, is the discovery bv Henry NJ. Paine,
esq, Of ready and almost expenseiess
made OF d.composing water and reducing
it to the gaseous state. BY the simple
operation Of a very small machine, with
out galvanic batteries. or the consump-
ton of metals or acids, and only the ap-
plication Of less than one three chundrcdth
(l-5O0) part ofone horse power, Mp aine
produces 200 cubic feet of hydrogen gas,
aud 100 feet Of oxygen gas per hour. This
quantity ot these gases, (the actual cost Of
which Is less than one cent? will furnish
as much heat by combustion as 1000 feet
Of the ordinary coal gas. and sufficient to
supply light equal three hundred common
lamp, for ten hours: or to warm an or
dinary dwelling house twelve hours, in
Guiding the requisite heat for the kitchen;
or t" supply the requisite heat for one horse
power OF steam. This invention has been
tested by six months operation, applied
to the lighting Of houses, and recently the
applicability of these gases to the warming
ot houses has also been tested with pertec-
tly satisfactory results. A steam engin
| furnace and parlor stove, both adapted
to the burning Of these gases, have been
invented, and measures taken for securing
patents therefor.
Mr. Paine has one of his machines, new
aud elegant, now in full operation and
may be expected to exhibit the same in
this city within twenty days. The only
actual expense of warming houses by this
apparatu, is that Of winding up weight
Qike the winding up ot a clock once a
day and that heat produced may be as
easily graduated aud regulated as the flame
of common yas-burner. No smoke
whatever is produced, but very small
quantity Of steam, sufficient to supply the
requisite moisture to the atmosphere In
it's application to the production OF steam
power, it will reduce the expense thereof
to the mere wear Of machinery, aud will
Immediately produce an immense demand
for steam engines, and induce the establish
rnent of thou sand, Of manufact turing mills,
reduce the expense OF travelling, and in
crease the demand for agricultural pro-
duce, while it ruins the coal and gas busi-
ness, aud such manufacturing establish
ments as depend on monopoly and high
prices. This invention, moreover. removes
completely the only obstacles which have
hitherto existed to aerial nav gatiOn-the
difficulty of procuring hydrogen gas, and
carrying supply Of fuel; and it may now
be considered a matter OF tolerablc GER
tainty that men will be seen swiftly, and
safely soaring in various directions before
the first Of MAY next. These facts. being
Of immense Importance, should not be lon
ger withheld and therefore would avail
...yself Of your widely circulating journal
| TO present them to the public.
Yours, respectfully, r. PORTER.
| Washington, Dec. %, l849,