The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-03-28
The story of an Invention,

II may not be generally known that
an important invention ia connection
with the manufacture of carpets origi-
mated as follows: An operative weaver, IN
one of the largest establishments In this
country, was engaged III weaving n car
pet that in its ilnis sel stage would ap,
pear AS velvet pilc. At that period
this description Of carpet was woven
much ia the manner OF BRUSSELS, the
loops being afterward cut 10y hanl--a
slow and costly process. These loops
are formed 10y the insertion ~ wires OF
the requisite thickness 10 form the loop;
they arc then withdrawn. This weaver
whether by cOgitation or AS the rcsul
of bright thought-came 10 the conclu-
sion that II these wires were 30 construct
ei as, ON being withdrawn, 10 cut the
loops, thus instantly completing the
formation OF the pile. il would be IA great
saving Of labor and time. aud great
economy. Taking one of the rods, he
changed It's form 10 the required shape,
ground a knife edge upon il, took il 10
his looms, and inserted il in the web
all the while maintaining strict secrecy
and with some degree Of excitement
watched its weaving down until the
moment for its withdrawal. This came,
the rod, was drawn out, the loops were
cut, and the experiment was IA perfect
success. the pile being cut with great
uvcnncss.
The weaver, with IA shrewdness often
wanting in inventors, doubled up the
roi and hid IL away, woye down the line
Of cut loops upon the roll, then " knock
cd OF, or stopped his loom, and pro-
cee,led 30 the Office Of the mill. where he
demanded 30 see the principal The
clerk demurred 20 this. asking II he him
self could not DO all that was required /:
but no, the weaver persisted. Then the
manager tried. with the sAme result I;
only the principal would snlt the weaver
The employer was informed OF the oper-
atiye's persistence IN determining 90 See
him 80 ho az once ordered him 10 be
admitted. This was done. and the weay-
ar stepped into the well furnished and
handsomely carpetei Office of the manu-
facturrr. His employer addressed him
Well, John tfor 80 we will call himl,
" what is il YOU want ?" well, master,
I've gcttou summit yu nun hey, re
pliei John. "Wodn't vO like "A way NJ
maxim Z loom cut tn velvet piles o.
continued the weaver &" Yes that ]
would - replied the employer: land
will reward any man handsomely who
brings me plan Of doing IL, " added he.
AVN yuru mon, then, said the opera
tive. "WOin yo gi me 2" he further
askel. After some further conyersAtion
q bargain was struck, and 4 sum agreed
upon, which the weaver should bc tn
titled 20 claim IN the event Of his plan
for automatically cutting the pile uf the
carpet being q snccess. Arrangements
were made It's trial the weaver made
his preparations the master, the man
Ager, And one or two confidential EN-
ployres gathered around the loom upun
which the experiment had bc made.
all Others being sent outsidp the range
% observation. The new form Of wires
were inserted, woven down, and with
drawn, leaving n well cut pile upon the
face Of the carpet. The weaver had won
his reward, for il was honoubly paid
An annuity Of ElO0 was settled upon him,
which he continued 30 enjoy until within
a recent date, and for anything we know
70 the contrary may be enjoying yet.
He retired from the weaving shed. de-
termined 10 spend the rest OF his days IN
ease aud comfort. His employer Sc
cured by patent the benefits OF his in
yeution, Il being one, among several
others, which contributed b. place that
manufacturing establishment in the fore
nest rank in the trade. while is owners
attained wealth and social cElinence az
the reward Of their prudent enterprise.
-Tcrfii, Manufacture.