The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1870-03-12

''Sphero I.0cOmOliOn."
The ssFast Freight Lines of the Future.

The 'sFast Freight Lines Of the Future.
49, From the Rochester Union.
The extensive improvements constantly max
ing in the manner aud means of transportation
would seem to indicate that the coming man will
regard our present facilities very much in the
light that we now look upon the numbering stage
coach and canal packet of our grandfathers The
scope of science is infinite and until the mechan-
zeal millennium is attained, when electricity
shall be the universal motive'power. nothing will
surprise US. Hand in hand with the pneumatic
railway comes this invention of spherc-ocOmo-
tion for the transportation Of freight. A brief
analysis of its construction and asses may prove
interesting. The invention consists in employ
ing hollow spheres or globes, with the load to be
transported inside, operating in pneumatic tubes.
The lines of tubes can be constructed cheaply
and rapidly through all parts of the country. 1t
is proposed to make them of wood, ard support
them on poles raised some fifteen feet in the air.
by system of way stations and relays of power
at proper distances, the lines OF tubes can be
made to connect the towns and cities of the en-
tire country, effecting rapidly and cheaply trans
portation to and from all parts Of it.
This method of locomotion asserts many claims
to superiority. The road bed is not affected by
any upheaval of the earth beneath it it is entire
ly free from dust, dirt, other distractions is
protected from wind, rain snow and the glo-
bular car has little friction to overcome, and no
atmospheric pressure to retard its progress. The
sphere is selected as the most feasible for the
pneumatic baggage 1t is immensely supe.
riOr for velocity, and is the most gentle of veh.
Giles, being freest from jolt, Jar shake an i'm
portant consideration in the transportation of
delicate articles, fruits, vegetables and wines 1t
Is proposed to build those spheres of cast steel,
very thin and of smooth and exact exterior. so
"a IN roll ayanl,- and H.
provided with apertures or "man.holes' made to
screw in so to form part of the surface) by
which they could be loaded and discharged easily
and readily. The spheres, on arriving at their
places of destination, will be stopped by success
sion of brakes or springs, padded to avoid abra-
sion; and, by reversing the current of air. Gre
ating an air.cushion. against which the spheres
are gently brought to stand.
The greatest strength required in any part of
the apparatus will be in the beams supporting
the tubes. A hundredth part of the exhaustion
of the air will be sufficient to propel the spheres
with the required velocity. The pressure upon
the tube, therefore, will be very slight
The velocity at which the spheres will move is
estimated at from 100 to 200 miles an hour
which estimate will be found no exaggeration.
Perfect safety of the contents is guaranteed. A
machine to empty 100000 cubic feet of air a
minute-more than suficient-can be obtained.
Ihe construction of pneumatic tubes above
ground, as described, of large size seven to
eight feet in diarneter,} with the equipment of
spheres. will cost, it is estimated, $40, 900 mile,
the right of way not included.
1t is estimated that this invention will do for
the Interchange of products what the telegraph
has done for the transmission of thought Time
and space, compared with our present system of
conveyance, will be annihilated by this new pro-
cess, and rapid, economical, and universal
medium OF commercial exchange be established.
Its benefits, il real, are inealculable- On it's
swift and gentle wings would be borne the fresh
est fruits, luscious as when gathered Letters
from distant cities might report TO US their story
before the ink was fairly dried, and morning
journals in large cities might be laid before Gag
readers in the country with their matin news
yet warm with tho newness of life. Sphere.
!ocomotion proposes to carry everything that can
be packed in its vehicles coal, meats, minerals,
fruits, wines. newspapers, mails grain, in short,
everything that can be carried except animated
beings. How long before it shall attain such
perfection, none can tell