Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1868-01-23
An Extraordinary Invention---A
Steam Man.

The following story of remarkable mechan-
ical invention is told by the Newark N. j.
Advertiser:
"Mr. Zadock Deddrick, aNewark machinist'
has invented man-one that, moved by steam,
will perform some Of the most important func-
tions of humanity; thatwill, standing upright.
walk or run, as he is bid, in any direction, and
at almost any rate of speed, drawing after him
q load whose weight would tax the strength Of
three stout draught-horses. The historyof this
curious invention is as follows: Six years
ago, Mr.. Deddrick, the inventor, who is at pre-
sent but twenty-five years Of age, conceived
the novel idea of constructing aman that should
receive its vitality from perpetual motion ma
chine. The idea was based on the well-known
mechanical principle that, if heavy weight
be placed at the top Of an upright slightly in
clined from vertical, gravitation will tend TO
produce horizontal as well as vertical motion.
The project was not successful. However, by
observing carefully the cause Of the failure.
preserving and perfecting the man-form, and
by substituting steam in place Of the perpetual
motion machine the present success was attain
ed.
"The man stands seven feet and nine inches
high, the other dimensions Of the body being
correctly proportioned, making him second
Daniel Lambert, by which name he is face
tously spoken of among the workmen. He
weighs five hundred pounds. Steam is gener-
ated in the body or trunk, which is nothing
but a three-horse power engine, like those used
in our steam fire engines. The legs which sup
port it are complicated and wonderful Tho
steps are taken very naturally and quite easily
As the body is thrown forward upon the ad-
vanced foot the other is lifted from the ground
by spring aud thrown forward by the steam.
Each step or pace advances the body two feet,
and every revolution Of the engine produces
four PAGES. As the engine Is capable Of maxi
ing more than thousand revolutions minute,
il would get over the ground, on this cacula-
ton, at the rate Of little moro than a mile In
minute. As this would be working the legs
faster than would be safe on uneven ground or
on Broad street cobbe stones, it is proposed TO
run the engine at the rate Of five hundred revo-
lutions per minute, which would walk the man
at the modest speed of half mile minute.
"The fellow Is attached 10 a common Rock
away carriage, the shafts Of which serve 20
support him In a vertical position. These
shafts arc twobars Of iron, fastened in the usual
manner TO the front Of the carriage and arc
curved so as 10 be joinod TO a circular sustain
ing bar, which passes around the waist, ike
girth, and in which the man moves so as 20 face
+ In any direction Besides these motions ma
chinery has been arranged by which the figure
can be thrown backward or forward from O
vertical nearly forty-fve degrees. Thsis done
in order to enable Il TO ascend or descend oil
grades. To the solcs Of the feetspikesor corks
are fixed which effectually prevent slipping
The whole affair is so firmly sustained by tho
shafts and has so excelenta foothold that two
men are unable to push IL over or in any way
throw it down In order 20 enable il to stop
quickly, II is provided with two appliances, one
5 Of which will, as before stated, throw it back
ward from the vertical, while the other bends
the knees in direction opposite to the natural
| position.
"An upright post, which is arranged IN front
Of the dashboard, and within easy reach Of the
front seats, sustains two miniature pilot wheels,
D by the turning of which these various motions
G andeyolutions arc directed. Itisexpected that
e a sufficiently large amount Of coal can be stow
: ed away under the back seat Of the carriage 90
work the engine for day, and enough water
o in tank under the front seat 10 last half
day.
"Inorder topreyent the giant from frighton-
ing horses by its wonderful appearance, Mr.
Deddrick intends to oclothe IL and give it asnear-
ly as possible Likeness TO the rest Of humanity.
!, The boiler and such parts as arc unnecessarily
heated will be encascd in felt or wooden under
garments. Pantaloons, coat and vest, Of tho
: latest styles, are provided. Whenever the fires
need coaling which Is every two or three hours,
. the driver stops the machine, descends from bis
seat, unbuttons Daniels vest, opens a door,
shoyels in the fuel, buttons up the vest and
: drives on. On the back between the shoulders
: the steam cocks and gauges are placed. AZ
i, these would cause the coat 10 set awkwardly
: a knapsack has been provided that completely
covers them. A blanket neatly rolled up and
. placed on the top Of the kDapsaek psfieets tao
+, delusion. The face is moulded into cheerful
countenauce Of white enamel, which contrasts
well with the dark hair and moustache. A
# sheet iron hat with guage top acts as smoke
% stack
"The costof the first man is coo though
! the makers, Messrs Deddnck & Grass, expect
n to manufacture succeeding ones, warranted TO
- run year, without repairs, for $500. The
n same parties expect to contract, on the saIne
;, principle, horses which viii DO the duty Of ten
or twelve ordinary animals Of the same species.
:. These, it is confidently believed, can be used
alike before carriages, street cars, and ploughs'
q The man now constructed can make BIS way
:, without dif5cdlty o7er any irregular soriaee
whose rus snd stones are not more than nine
. inches be,os O, above he level oi the FoAd'
er .,..: >: Az. Vi,rinia Free Pres, 7Ss