St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1868-01-31
an Extraordinary InUentiOn.--A
Steam Man.


OF the most important functions of hu-
manity; that will, standing upright,
walk or run, as he is bid, in any direc-
tlon and at almost any rate of speed,
drawing after him load whose weight
would require the strength of three stout
draught horses The history of this Gu
rious invention is as follows: Six years
ago Mr.. Deddrick, the inventor, who is
at present but twenty-five years of age,
conceived the novel idea of constructing
a man that should receive its vitality
from perpetual motion machine. The
idea was based on the well-known prin-
ciple that if a heavy weight be placed at
the top of an upright slightly inclined
from vertical, gravitation will tend to
produce a horizontal as well as vertical
motion. The object was not successful
However, by observing carefully the
cause of the failure, persevering and per-
tecting the man-torm, and by substitut-
ing steam in place of the perpetual mo-
ton machine, the present success was at
tanned.
The man stands seven feet and nine
inches high, the other dimensions of the
body being correctly proportioned, max
ing him second Daniel Lambert, 10y
which name lie is facetieusly spoken of
among the workmen. lie weighs five
hundred pounds. Steam is generated in
the body or trunk, which is nothing but
4 three-horse power engine, like those
used i'll our steam fire engines. The legs
which support it are complicated and
wonderful The steps are taken very
naturally and quite easily. As the body
Is thrown forward upon the advanced
foot, the other is lifted from the ground
by spring, and thrown forward by the
steam. Each step or pace advances the
body two feet, and every revolution OF
the engine produces four PAGES, and the
engine is capable of making more than 4
thousand revolutions minute. As this
would be working the legs faster than
would be safe on uneven ground, or on
cobhle 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 rate of halt a mile min
ute.
The fellow is attached to common
Rockaway carriage, the shafts Of whicl
serve TO support him in a vertical posi-
ton. These shafts are two bars OF iron
fastened in the usual manner TO the front
of the carriage, and are curved so as tO
be joined by a circular sustaining bar.
which passes around the waist, like a
girth, and in which the man moves SO al
to face in any direction. Besides these
motions, machinery has been arranged by
which the figure can be thrown back
ward and forward from vertical nearly
forty-tive degrees. This is done in order tc
enable it TO descend all grades. To the
solcs of the feet spikes are fixed which
eiitctually prevent slipping. The whole
affair is SO firmly sustained by the shafts
and has so excellent toothold that two
men are unable to push it over, or in
any way to throw it down.
In order to enable it to stop quickly
it is provided with two appliances, one
of which will, as before stated, throw ii
backward from the vertical, while tho
other bends the knees in a direction op'
posite to the natural direction.
An upright post, which is arranged IL
front of the dash board, and within easy
reach Of the frent seats, sustains tive
miniature pilot wheels, by the turning o
which these various motions and evOlu
tions are directed. 1t is expected that 8
sufficiently large amount Of coal can bt
stored away under the back seat of th'
carriage to work the engine for a day
and enough water in a tank under th,
front seat to last half a day.
In order TO prevent the "giant'' from
frightening the horses by its wonderful
appearance, Mr.. Deddrick intends tc
clothe it, and give it as nearly as posi-
bic Il Likeness to the rest of mankind
The boiler, and such parts as are ncces
sarilv heated will be encased in felt o
woollen under-garments. Pantaloons
coat and vest of the latest styles are pro
vided Whenever the fires need coaling
which is every two or three hours, TIN
driver stops the machine, descends from
his seat, unbuttons ''DaniePs" vest
opens a door, shovels in the fuel, button
up the vest and drives on. On the bacl
between the shoulders the steam cock
and guages are placed. As these woul'
cause the coat to set awkwardly, KNAPP
sack has been providud that completed
covers them. \ blanket neatly rolle'
up and placed on top of the knapsack
perfects the delusion. The face is mold
ed into cheerful countenance of whit
enamel, which contrasts well with tn
dark hair and moustache. A sheet irol
hat with guage top acts as smok
stack.
The cost of this ''first man. is 81 ,00
r though the makers, Messrs. Deddrick 4
y Grass, expect to manufacture succeeding
z ones, warranted to run a year, withou
repairs, for $500. The same parties ex
pect to manufacture, on the same prin
ciple, horses which will do the duty q
ten or twelve ordinary animals of tn
same species. These, it is confidentl,
believed, can be used alike before car
riages, street cars and plows. The ma
, now constructed can make his way with
out difficulty over any irregular surfac
whose ruts and stones are not more tina
nine inches below or above the level {
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