Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1868-04-21
T OF tne NtdteSmunI
The Modern Mercury.

| Among many of the numerous sights
that attract the eye of a passer by on
Broadway, was one that was contained In
large stone building nearly opposite the
ruins of Barnum's Museum. A crowd OF
people had congregated before the door,
and after considerable pushing and
| squeezing l was able to get glance at the
elephant. On the door of the room large
placard was posted which read thus:
The Self Mouing Steam Mana Gigantic
Walking and running Atomation W on
der of the Age-Admission 25 -cents-Eaclt
Lady presented uith q Photograph of the
Steam Man. 81 |f 90 ;g
Having little loose change, 1 stepped
in; before had the pleasure of seeing his
brunette face, thought he must have some
Holland blood in him, from his snorting.
After considerable crowding I stood be-
fore this wonderful piece of mechanism
What will the hand of man make next
/ will endeavor to give you slight des-
cription of this wonder.
The body of the steam man contains q
boiler with furnace under it. On his
back the steam man carries two oscil-
lating cylinders with their connec-
tions, the crank of which, by means of a
bell crank, gives motion to the feet. The
shock of the necessary reciprocating mo.
tion is taken up by that fat coiled springs
connecting with the levers leading directly
from the piston rod of the engine. The
water tank and the coal hunks are under
the seat lof the carriage attached to the
steam man. The steering and governing
apparatus is directly in 'front.' of the driver,
aud being similar to that used on locomo-
tives, the driver can readily direct the
course of the carriage or amount of steam
required. 1t needs but one bushel of coal
and twelve gallons of water to run it
twelve hours.
An examination of the steam man and
his attachments will easily show the me-
chanical movements by which success is
obtained. The lifting of the feet and COM
pound action of the toe and heel necessary
to constitute the action of the human legs,
are accomplished by an ingenious system
of levers Involving no new principles, but
adapting old and well known ones to a def
mite end, and which in this case has proved
to be perfect success.
1t will draw loaded carriage, omnibus.
street car, or plow, by the force of steam
acting on leads, the movement of which
corresponds to that of the muscles of man
in the human body. -
This mechanical wonder is the result of
over two years experiments, at the cost of
$4,000, and was patented March, 1868.
1t is the first successful attempt to imi-
tate the natural motions OF the human
frame, and may be readily adapted to those
of quadrupeds, as horses, mules or oxen.
The feet are the propelling power, and
are so worked that they can pass over any
ordinary obstruction.
Scientific and mechanical experts have
examined it while in motion, and attest and
declare it to be the wonder of the age.
In fact, the steam man has every part
complete, and shows finely the ingenuity
of the American people. Having given
slight description of the mechanical powers
of the steam man, will endeavor to give a
slight description of his looks and dress
His face had the hue of a brunette. and his
large mouth and nose, especially his mouth,
would be apt to make person believe that
he had come from that part OF the unknown
world where Jersey lightning abounds,
and as for his eyes, they had that
beneficient look, SO common to animals,
especially in some breeds, (for instance the
Ben. Butler brecd.) noted for his benefi-
cence to poor unprotected widows, and as a
Judge of silver none better. Allow me to
ask pardon, for deviating from my subjec
hoping you grant it, return to it. The
steam man is owned by the patentees, who
reside in Newark, New Jersey, their names
being u. 2. Dederick and j. Grass. If any
of our readers should go to New York, we
would Advise them by all means, to go and
see this wonder.
SAFETY VALVE.