, 1874-03-08
uNWRlTTEN HISTORY.
Important observation-disclosures I'M
rewarded and Unknown.
First Thought Of the Sewing.
Machine.
Circular Saws, screw-Augers, and
Boat-Propellers.
The Hot-Air Engine.

The Hot-Air Engine.
It is proverbial saying. if not substantial
fact, that inventors OF useful improvements are
martyrs for the public good. Every important
discovery, whether in science or mechanical ac~
ton, is at first only the intangible thing called
an idea. 1t is first well-conceired in thought,
and then, by artfl manipulation, it assumes the
form Of the thing, which may become o thing o1
beauty or use. From thought has como every
great achievement which wo SEQ in rcgnrd
to the application Of q machine to the great do
ings, and making Of everything about us that
marks this as the age OF accomplished me-
chanics.
Commonly these have resulted from the
COMBINATION OF THOUGHT;
or, first, valuable primary thought Of one
mind, followed by secondary thought oi
another person. improving upon the first aud 80
on, till great and perfect machine is invented,
or great scheme Of mechanic structure is
wrought into system, IS with the railroads
Of this generation. It is very Diff
cult to tell or find out who
had tho first thought or made the invention.
In some Instances wo can tell the man that did
it; and he should have proper credit and re-
ward. Too common it is that the real first dis
coyerer is oyerslaughed by some moro intriguing
and artful person, if not more inventive one,
and he is robbed Of his reward.
Then, the first valuable thought OF q truly
valuable discovery does not always take on q
practical turn. Some more practical man thinks
OF the SAME thing, Independently Of the other, and
brings it out in proper shape for use and he
has his reward But, as rule. the original
Inventors, or the men who have the ingenuity
to apply old devices to now and useful pur-
poses,
DO NOT GET THEIR JUST DESERTS;
Speculation, capitalist, manipulator OF
public opinion, gets NIL the profit, while the in
yentor plods on his way in poverty.
It is pleasant matter to tind out the original
MN Of the original idea. Who invented canals
who invented the railroads ?-who mado the
first horse. shoe who made tho first reaper p
who made the first locomotive who made the
first turning lathe ?-who the first sawmil1 ? etc.
We are glad to know thar Goodyear first thought
to utilize India-rubber to the purposes Of tho
mechanic arts; TINT Whitney made the first ma-
chine, and found the only truo way, to clean cot
ton from Its seed, aud thereby. perhaps, did as
much to turn tho tide Of commerce as WAS evcr
done by any other man; that Watt malc the
first stoam-eagino that did any work, aud Fulton
practically applied 1--WE snppoae) the stcam-ez-
gino to the pronnlsion Of boats; bu: VIC know
that these men, in their day, got
MORE KICKS THIN co7rERs
for their public spirit; aud. now that they ara
dead, We praise the acts Of their lives.
We are told that Colt made the first revolving
fre-arm loading at the breech; but in the Tower
Of London can be seen. at the present time,
breeeh- loading muskct withrerolving chambers.
I've I'll 1o
was probably mono the less All inventor; and he
had lis reward. We feel confident that it il
just to ascribe the Invention Of the
sEwIiG-MAcuINE
to one man, and tllat is Howe. Many improve
mentE and many forms hnve been nude OF the
Sewing g-nachiue; many patents issued h1t
never one was made that did not take the first
essential idea from Howes invention. He at
tempted to make machine that would take the
thread through the cloth, after tho style, in
weary task while struggling with him
self for Bnbsistenco; aud, while be
succeeded in taking tho stitches, it. WIS not
practical machine. and his first invention Was a
failure Bat, when be thought to make nee
lie with tho eye taking the thread in tho point
he invention OF a sowing machine possible. In
hat simple arrangement consisted virtually tho
invention. Every sowing machine that has ever |
since been made. in whatever form, whether a !
u
orm or another, to take the needle with tho eye |
n the point Howe struggled in poverty. sus-
aimed to the last OF his lfe by h1s faithful wife,
nut he triumphed in the end, made his millions, !
lid good, died happy, and all good people re- |
oice that one inventor ut last, though sadly ]
frustrated ard cheated, succeeded in his inyen~
ion, got due credit, and was amply rewarded. !
lis is
ALMOST THE ONLY INSTANCE on RECORD.
There arc several common Instruments. or !
|eyices, which arc accepted as indispensable,
nd which are guitn modern. and OF the origin !
Il which the public know little. and OF the real
inventors nothing for these there arc few !
aragraphs of unw1itten history which should bo
'ritten here. Among these the circu'ar-saw,
nd With it the sawrnil tue scrow- anger the
crew propeller or Bcrew-whee1 Of the steamer;
nd the hot-air engine.
THE CIRCULAR SAW.
There are very fow people who ever think how
ecently this device, or machine, al it may be
allied ono, has come into use. Yhe common
traight saw is without history, yet has becn
nown earlier than any record, probably. It is
process OF cutting its way by 1nnumerab1e ef-
orts to cnt or scratch away the substance. Tie |
'bio speaks Of saWH in very early times and 30
istory shows its scratches, as far back as his
'ry runs And may not the circular saw be
onnd running in those ancient times? Bnt We
0 not see it. The circular is but rotary saw;
is the same as any saw, only it is so contrived
8 to keep on its motion and work Of cutting
yer forward, without ever returning to take a
ew start. The other say is ALWAYS forward and
ack. forward and back. The circnIar is always
}rward and forward, "a saw on wheel.
And see What q necessity it has bccomei Il is !
every machine-slop xhero wood Is cut I'D into
10 ten thousands of forms OF use, for orna-
ent, building, or manufacturing. It does the
ork ut Ill astonishing rate Of speed. It ia like
le railroad in travel, compared to the one-horse
.rt. The untold quantities of lumber now Gu:
I'd brought to market; whole regions OF cow