New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-02-19
QUICK TRANSIT.
A NEW SYSTEM OF TRANSPORTATION
OR SYSTEM OF sPHERO-LOCOMOTION.


The great advantages of rapid and cheap transport
alton are so well understood at the present day that
it is unnecessary to explain the Importance of In
vention that proposes TO transport the mails and
products of the COuntry-ts grains, fruits, meats,
cotton, highwines, oils, minerals, coal, and mer-
ohandiSe generaly-to and from all parts of it in
few hours instead of days and at cost far less than
ly means of railroads. 1t will at once be admitted
that such invention, if practicable will be of in
calculable benefit and will naugurate a new era in
the industrial and Commercial interests of the
world.
This invention. so new and unooked-for, has been
made and patents have been secured for it in this
country and in Europe. 1t is very simple in its ma
ture and its simplicity may, on haSty and cursory
examination prevent the mind from approaching at
once its scope and effectiveness; but careful ex-
animation will show that it is based on scientific
principles which are adequate TO the production of
the great results anticipated from it.
Before entering upon its explanation, we will take
brief survey of the Methods of Transportation that
have up TO the present time been employed, and the
principles on which they are based. This survey
p.Il show the relation of the Method to the old
o4es and enable the mind to appreciate more clearly
lis character and value
METHODS HERETOFORE USED.
II we ascend to primitive historical times and
anime the method of transportation which man, by
lis simple instincts first devised, and then follow
the improvements which, through the successive
aces down to the present time, he has made, we
shall find that but two distinct methods have been
employed by him. In the earlier times, animals
tanned and brought under subsection, were used as
carTiers-as agents of transportatlon-the loads 10
he transported being simply packed upon their backs
The horse, ass, OK, camel dromedary and elephant
were the animals domesticated and used for this
purpose.
The first device of mans reason-his first inven-
ton to effect transportation by mechanical means
was the WHEEL: that IS disk, held upright by a
cross-bar called the axle-ree. AT first, rude carts
with two wheels were constructed; ndthese simple
vehicles were drawn by the animals already tanned
on the natural surface of the earth, which was the
primitive and simple rOad-bed to which man re-
sorted. Next wagons with four wheels were devised
and artificial roads were made By eyeing and filling
UP the uneven surfaces. Then springs were invented
aud added to the wagons TO diminish the jolt and
iar-au improvement which was unknown to the
Greeks and Romans. The next step of progress was
the introduction Of relays OF horses, and Macadam
roads marking the highest development possible OF
tie system that employs horsepower and the earth
Is a road-bed. At length the railroad was invented
eupplanting these agencies II is the substitution OF
an iron track OF roadbed level and straight in the
place of the old road-bed of earth or hammered
stone, winch IS OnaNOludDN vi lCSo uhC'OH'
rough and soft and of the locomotive in the place
Of the horse The railroad is the full and complete
development of the system that employs the wheel-
0pdare principle: il unites all the conditions for
rendering it the most efficient practicable, aud com
I'etes the series of Improvements possible in this
direction.
THE NEw PRINCIPLE AND ITS METHOD.
The Invention that has been made introduces a
new Principle, and with 1t anew system funda-
mentally different from the old. This new Principle
is destined to furnish a means of transportation
far more efficient than any he has possessed and to
increase vastly his facilities for commercial and in
dustTia intercourse. 1t starts from the full develop
ment and completion of the old, and introduces
something entirely new i'll its place
With these preliminary remarks we will proceed
10 explain in what the Invention consists, and the
,neans il employs after which will compare il to
3be one now i'm use and show its great superiority.
The new means or instrument of lOcomotion
which the Invention employs Is the SPHERE
an instrument which il substitutes IN the
place of the SWHEEI- The sphere Is the
simplest and the true form of a Vehicle Of motion.
Itreyoves its periphery without friction. Is moved
with the least power, and permits the highest rate
of speed attanable by any form OF pOnderabe or ma
tcral body. Nature in all departments in winch she
Yeouires high velocity, employs the Sphere as the
sexemplfed in all her works from the planet, which
is spherical body, rotating an imaginary axis to
The falling drop of rain, which assumes the spherl-
cal form in passing rapidly through free space.
The invention following Nature in her teaching
employs the Sphere or Globe its vehicle of motion
To adapt il TO the purpose transportation 1t made
HOLLOW and the load to be carried is placed inside
Thus h0oc Spheres Globes carrying their load inside
are the vehicles used under the new system. They
may be of any SIZE from two feet to eight or ten IN
diameter according to the service to be performed
They would be best made of some one of the metals
(caststeel if practicable, very thin, and turned in
d lathe with exactness and precision, as to roll
evenly and smoothly. They would be provided with
apertures or man-holes" made TO screw in so as to
form part Of the surface, by which they could be
lJaded and discharged easily and readily.
IT'D. NEW RoAD-BED OR TRACK.
The new Vehicle requires an equally perfect road
bed, or track on which to operate. This road-bed
las been slowly and gradually prepared by the in
yention of the Pneumatic Tube, and its successful
employment Pneumatic Tubes have been con
structed in London, and are now in regular opera
tOn--mail matter and packages being sent through
them. A little railway with cars, is placed inside
them, so that the old vehicle Of transportation on
the wheeland-aMe principle has been transferred to
tie interior Of the tube operating within as il does
without; the only change being the substitution OF
atmospheric pressure for traction by locomotive
power But theIfact Of rails operating inside
of tube instead of outside, constitutes no funda-
mental improvement or essential advantage. All
the defects inherent in the present system Of ocomo
ton such as axle friction necessity of a nice adjust
ment Of the wheels, axles, and other parts of the
cars impeded motion from these causes breakage of
xoits and wear and fear of railing stock reuain. IN