Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1868-03-27
INVENTORS-THE OPPORTUNI-
TIES AND INTERESTS.

The number of patent claims published
IN our columns weekly is sufficient evidence
tthe existence Of large amount Of iuven-
tive talent in the country that all these
patents do not prove remunerative, or that
some OF them are Improvements only in
name, does not initiate against this state
ment. Still, the long list OF patents might
be much further extended, we think, by the
more general cultivation, by on, mechanics,
OF habit OF close observation. An observ-
ing and reflective man, possessing natural
mechanical capacities, can hardly pass
through workshop in any department. Of
industry, without seeing opportunities for
Improvement either IN the tools and other
appliances used, or ia the methods Of doing
work. But 1t not unfrequentF is the case
that the mechanic who is constantly engaged
on the work does not notice the room for
improvement which the stnnger sees at a
glance; the familiarity induces Indifference.
Yet, the working mechanic is continually
meeting with obstacles to raLidIty and per
lection of work, and in providing temporary
expedients for relief, he may as well perfect
them and make them permanent and valua-
ble fixtures of the shop. If properly elabo-
rated and wrought out in the lfain before
being built, he may find that in developing
them he has unconseiously become an IN
venter-made patentable and valuable inn
provement-Where he looked only for a
present aid, or a 'make-shift Perhaps
the exactions of his business will not allow
him to devote the necessary time and atten-
ton to the improvement, and he must con-
tent himself with getting up hastily TEN.
pOrary aid to his work.
But there come opportunities for this
mental labor which, however, are not al
ways embraced Such is the present state
Of dullness in business. The enterprislng
mechanic whose ordinary work fails him,
can probably employ his otherwise unoccu-
pied time IN attempting Improvements IN
the materials, methods, tools, or other ap-
pliance used in his business. If he is com
PEELED TO a state Of comparative physical
idleness, so much more room and opportu-
nifty is afforded for the exercise of his men
tai powers Plenty Of instances Of valuable
discoveries, inventions, and improvements
could be adduced to prove that such periods
Of enforced bodily inactivity have been ad-
vantageous to the observant and thinking
mechanic.
1t is the interest, also, of the inventor to
make use of the means offered by our patent
laws to secure to himself portion of the
advantages which hisimproyementp possesses.
A false idea Of honor is thss to-ssRch either
lllNlgs1g .s4se.cCS " s4ltg
ventor to reap a benefit from his improve
ment He may consider 1t as not worth the
expense, time, and trouble necessary to
make him secure as its originator; but if
others deem it valuable enough to use, be
should deem it valuable enough 10 be paid
for 1t is not the marked and notable i'm
proYement that is always thamost remunera-
tive to the inventor, but often the little and
seemingly unimportant advance on previous
attempts, which proves mine of wealth.
IF the inventor has any idea which he has
so far brought toward plactieal and visi-
bic form as to be understood, and which
promises to be an improvement on processes,
machines, tools, etc, it is his duty, as well
as right, to secure his prDprietorship by a
patent at once. By this course he will be
benefited, while nobody will suffer an injus-
tice Scjeatitc AHelcul