Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-12-04
Pneumatic Express.

The Brisbane plan, for transmitting packa'
ges speedily, is simply pipe, a hollow bal
the sphere of which fits the bore of the pipe
and an air pump at each end Of the pipe
The thing to be transmitted is put into the
ball, and the ball placed in the pipe-for ex.
ample at the capitol in Washington At the
Government printing Office, where the pipe
ends, air is pumped out Of the pipe, when the
pressure Of the atmosphere behind the ball
propels it through the pipe. OF course, by re-
peating the process, the ball can be returned
to the capitol IT atmospheric pressure alone
is not sufficient, the power can be increased
by pumping air or admitting steam behind
the ball A combined suction and exhaust
pump does the work Mr.. Brisbane is quite
confident of success, as the following account
of an interview with him shows
The inventor is an elderly gentleman over sixty
years of age. tall but very thin, with gray hair
and side whiskers, and thoughtful cast OF coun-
tenance. lie has given years of study to his
plans, and talks with much earnestness about
his project and the glorious results he expects to
achieve.
Why, sir" he said to our reporter, will
bring wheat from San Francisco to New York in
few hours. | will make complete revolution
in the commercial world. p"
Reporter" hat size tube would you require
to transport packages from San Francisco"
Mr.. b" Twelve feet diameter will answer ey-
cry purpose.
Rep" But yoar tube will cost more than
rniroadY
Mr. b" No, sir, not az much"
Rep" How about getting over the noun
hins you are compelled to preserve n straight
line in LAYING the tube, are you notY'
Mr.. B." No, sir, up hill or down hill
makes no difference to me. Why, sir, | have
started at a rest and thrown the sphere up an an
gle Of iorty-ive degrees, simply by exhausting
the air. In Buffalo they have an ordinary tube
of six inches diameter, one end of which they
insert in a vessel loaded with wheat and exhaust
the air from the other end in the top of the build
ing ninety feet above the vessel, and away goes
the wheat. Runs right up the tube, don't you
see? Why, sir, all transportation IL to be revo-
lutonzed by this pneumatic tube. The man at
the tube in Buffalo told me that he could not
only carry up wheat. but could carry up key OF
shingle nails, simply by exhausting the air. ~
Rep-"lf your tube between the Capitol and
printing office works successfully what will be
your next etlurt?'
AIr. BIO construct one to Baltimore imme-
dately, and carry the nails through it,
Rep.-"liow large a tube will you use?"
Mr. B-"Four feet In diameter, and will take
the malls from the post Office here and deposit
them in the post office in 40 minutes, at least.
You see six stout horses are required TO draw a
car through Baltimore Put that car in pneu-
matte tube, exhaust the air from the other end,
and child can start IL. Why, sir, in tube
perfectly air tight can send Ia from here to
Patagonia by exhausting the air.
Rep --"Well, wish you success"
Mr. B--"lt must be u success, sir. You see |
only follow the laws of nature by using sphere,
the world is sphere. the planets are spheres,
aud all powers Of locomotion are governed by
the sphere am no enthusiast. | don't want
my breast covered with medals. II was by acct
dent that discovered this, and II II proves sue
oessful then will be content to know that have
been benefit Ia mankind. ] will cheaper trans
portation everywhere, and make -four four dol
lars a barrel The appropriation | got from
Congress TO make this tube is small. | don't eK-
pect to make anything, but ! want Congress to
see the practical workings OF the tube "