The Placer herald., 1855-11-03
NUMBER s:
A New Musical Invention.

1t is said that an enterprising Yankee
genius, Mr.. J. G. Stoddard of Worcester has
succeeded in Harvesting steam to musical
instrument. An exchange paper gives the
following description of his invention: ,u.
"The instrument is of simple construction,
and when once thoroughly put together, will
seldom if ever get out of repair. 1t consists
of a horizontal steam-chest or cylinder, some
six feet in length, and from four to six feet
in diameter, which is fed by steam from the
large boiler in the establishment where it il
located. Upon the top Of this cylinder is q
series of valve-chambers, placed at equal dis
tances from each other, into which the steam
is admitted without obstruction. Each valve,
chamber contains a double metallic valve,
with no packing, yet it fits so closely upon
its seat as to allow no steam to escape. To
each of these valves is connected very small
piston-rod or stem, which passes through tho
chamber, and is operated upon by machinery
without. Were it not for this stem, the
valve would be simply double balance valve,
and would remain stationary wherever plac-
ed the pressure of steam being equal on all
sides but part of one end of the valve.
being carried outside Of the chamber gives
it the self-closing power, which is the incest
part of the whole invention and perhaps the
best patentable feature.
With slight pressure against these rods.
the valve is opened; and when the pressure
is removed, it closes as quick as steam can
act, which is not much behind electricity.
Directly over each one of these valves is
placed common alarm whistle, constructed
similar to those used upon locomotives, ex-
cept that it admits of being raised or lower
ed, to ilatten or sharpen the tone. These,
whistles are made of different Sizes so a. to
produce the desired tone corresponding with
each note etc. This completes the machine.
with the exception of cylinder similar to
those used in the common hand organ or
music box, containing cogs, which, when
properly arranged, will, when turned by
hand or otherwise, operate upon the valves
in such manner as to play any tune desired,
by simply changing the position of the cogs,
which are intended to be movable. One Of
these instruments can be heard from ten to
twenty-five miles on the water, and every
note will be perfect and full We heard tho
inventor play Rosalie on it, and it looked
like getting off tall notes mechanically.
This invention is 50 completely under the
control of the operator, that were it arrsng-
ed with key board similar to piano, it
would obey the slightest touch, and child
could play slow or quick tunes, every note
of which might be heard several miles, 1t ,
is the design of the inventor to place these
instruments upon locomotives and steam
boats. 1t would appear rather novel to John
Bull to hear Yankee Doodle from one Of our
ocean steamers as she was about the enter q
British port (say twenty miles) and it would
remind Yankee Of his jack-knife to hear
Sweet Home from the same vessel on its re-
turn to New York or Boston. This inven-
ton ifit meets the expectations of most who
have seen it, will alter the tone of public de-
monstration on important occasions very
essentially"