The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-09-21
The Institute Fair.

The great fair of the American Institute
now in session, in New York, is attracting
crowds of visitors. OF the wonders in art
and industry there, the New York Erening
Mail thus speaks:
Immediately on entering the building the
visitor cannot fail to be drawn towards the
wonderful magnetic apparatus in the new
buildng--the Rumpkoif CoiI-where he
will see electricity generated in such guam
tity as to suggest danger to the operators,
skilled as they are. BY this battery and
coil spark is thrown from metallic point
to Leyden phial, OF receivers foot dis
tant, and with report louder than pistol
shot. A single discharge from this battery
is said to have treble the strength necessa-
ry to destroy human life. Or, as the hand
bills set forth, "will kill three men at a
time.'' This might imply that the Insti-
tute provided victims for daily science but
such is not the fact. The institute is hui
name and its managers not mhuman. 1t
may be that they provide spirits to be con-
sumed, but bodies, no!
This Rumpkoff Coil is one of the inpor-
tant contributions to the exposition made
by the Stevens chronological Institute of
Hoboken, New Jersey, and most valuable
one it is. Other contributions from this
institute are: A magnet weighing |, 800
pounds, said to be the most powerful in
the world; an admirably constructed
working model. of a marine engine, with
feathering paddles, worked by compressed
air; a model in brass Of torpedo of GU
rous construction model Of the cele-
brated Stevens Battery, and the works of
the engine of the first steamer that sailed
the waters of the Hudson, said to have
been constructed and run by the ancestor
of the present Stevens family. This is ex-
tremely curious, as it will be seen to pos
sess and to have forestalled many of the
improvements lately made in the construc-
ton of marine engines.
The Campbell press in operation is
great attraction. On this press is seen the
process of printing in colors, so as to pro-
duce similar results to those produced by
the process Of printing chromos by litho-
graphy. In other respects than these, this
machine is equally remarkable, and as
much as any perhaps i'll the perfect control
which the workman exercises over its every
movement.
Quite near this Campbell press is the
great positive motion power-loom at work
making the base for carpets, also marvel
of mechanical skill.
In this neighborhood are also exhibited
The various processes attending the produce
ton of the bread we eat-grinding, boiling,
and packing -four, followed by work Of the
baker and the ultimate result in the staff of
life.
1t is said that the superintendent is on
the lookout for some philanthropist who
will submit to have his stomach glazed,
that the public may see the process of d.
gestion.
But this we should say would be carry
ing the thing too far.
The machinery department is all a Won
der, each machine being in itself revela-
ton Of our progress in scientific knowledge,
and its application to the growing needs of
our age. In future articles we shall doubt
less refer to those machines which are not
merely improvements on what we have
written about in former years, but ''new
departures"
Of course, we have only touched upon
The most striking novelties on the great floor |
Of the building; but there is enough sug- |
gested here for the contemplation of
thoughtful visitor for many hours.