The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1868-06-16
Remarkable Invention.

Some time ago it was announced that citizen of
North Carolina had invented Engraving Machine
which was not only remarkable but wonderful in its
operation. If the inventor had been a citizen of
Europe or Of some Yankee State, he would at once
have obtained a reputation as an extraordinary
genius; but the old proverb, that prophet is not
without honor save in his country, is as fully
verified in this old State to day it in Judea
eighteen hundred years ago But we gratifed
to that the North Carolina inventors attract
ing some attention in New York. We learn that
the room where the machine is on exhibition is
crowded every day with visitors-practical engrav-
ers, photographers and scientific generally, who
astonshcd at the working of the machine.
The n Y. Journal of Commerce makes the follow
ing notice of the Engraving Machine:
Two citizens of Leaksvlle, n. c., engaged in the
watch and jewelry business, having occasion 10 do
much engra wing on metal and finding that sort of
work rather slow by hand, sought to invent
chine for the purpose. Their names are j. c. Guer-
and B. J. Field. Truly necessity is the mother
of invention; for without any familiarity with the
mechanical arts outside of their particular line, and
with nothing to guide them but their own talents,
they constructed apparatus that suppi1ed their
want. One OF its earliest achievements was to en-
grave the Lords Prayer in microscopic characters
inside of wedding ring. Under powerful nagnl-
fer all the letters seen distinct ana perfect une
thing leads TO another and in the course of their
labors they discovered that the mechanical
principle could be applied TO the making of fine en-
cravings on steel or copper, wood; TO the execu-
ton OF the most delicate medallion and geOmetrical
lathe work; in fact, to the performance Of every
task where a graver is required Having no knowl-
edge of contriyances exclusively employed by
bank note engravers for ruin and various ornamen
tations, they got up a machine which included a
mastery of all that. and all the everyday toll
of the BURN besides. Such drudgery engraving
the rollers for calico printing or door plates, Or
stencil plates, is done easily slicng cucumbers
Pictures designs be reduced with the precision
of the Photographic camera The worker. who can
learn the whole art in three hours, has moth
design, and sharp point of steel at the other end Of
series of levers cuts plate Of metal or block OF
wood. His hand moves with the free sweep of good
penman, and the gravcr unerrngly obeys him. The
adjustment of a rod determines whether the copy
shall be the size in all respects the ginal
smaller TO almost infinite extent. While his hand
is outlining letters inch long, the steel point may
be reproducing them small as to be invisible ex-
cept by the microscope. The apparatus, though
very simple, considering the diverse kinds of service
which it can perform. cannot clearly be described
without diagrams. While it reminds of Blan-
chard lathe the photograph and the ruling machine
in respects, it is clearly orig final invention
and has numerous useful capacities peculiar to itself
Persons who are interested in works of mechanical
ingenuity and art may be gratifed by call upon
Messrs. Guerrant Field at No. 207 Pearl street.
where two of the machines in operation.