The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1882-10-26

emoluments awaiting him, Boston Her.
aid.
Idiers as Inventors.
1t IS popularly supposed that. in order
10 invent a machine for any particular
| purpose, one must be an expert in the
| particular business for which the machine
Is designed. To certain extent this
| pelef Is correct, but it somehow happens
that many of the most valuable inyen-
tlons have been brought out by persons
who had no practical experience what
ever IN the use of the machinery apper
| tanning TO the business for which their in
ventlons are designed. 1t is not denied
that many of our most valuable inycn-
tlonS are the works of mechanics and
operatives of machinery; but it is as,
serted that great many valuable in
ventlons have been brought out by men
VINO had no practical experience either
as mechanics or operatives in the line of
their inventions. 1t frequently happens
that persons who have no special knowl-
edge OF machinery, when looking at
the performance of some engine or other
machine, discover chance for improve
ment and drop suddenly into the high
way to fortune
The writer has just had an interview
with young man recently graduated
at medical college. His mind is not on
pills or amputations; but he fancies he
can see opportunities for improvements
all around him, and he is nov develop-
ing several important railway inventions
sheet music turner and several other
devices not in any manner connected
with his chosen profession. One would
suppose that his inventive genius would
turn to surgical and dental instruments.
artificial limbs, ETC.; but he, like thou
sands OF others, leaves his chosen path.
seemingly led astray by some invisible
power over which he has no control. A
man with no calling or profession is
usually styled ''loafer;'' vet MANY
valuable inventions have been produced
by such men.
One OF the greatest inventions the
world has ever seen was whitfield out by
an idler in few minutes. He caught
the idea by seeing man trying to get
an implement repaired. He saw the
affair was imperfect, improved it, and
revolutionized the world in its most i'm
portant industry. He was no lonrer
called loafer, and although long de-
ceased, he is now, and will be as lone as
the world exists, regarded as one of the
greatest inventors ever known. 1t is by
no means meant that all inventors are
men OF no steady occupation; but it is
an undeniable fact. that many of our
most valuable inventions are from the
brains of men who were considered as
idlers and of no account.
This is not mentioned here to cast any
reflections on inventors as class: for it
Is well understood that we are wholly in
debted to them for the wonderful pro-
greSs the world has made and is making,
but to encourage that class who have no
faith or confidence in their inventive
abilities, and therefore make no efforts.
In many communities the man who
gives his time to perfecting some device
is styled 'Iazy good-for- -nothing;" but
when he finds himself successful his old
acqualntanceS are pleased to know him.
1t will be seen that our inventors range
from millionaires down to loafers, or
rather Uice Cersa. Perhaps the term
'.loafer' is hardly appropriate; but as
there are SO many of them who ulti-
mately take their places in the ranks of
the industrious and wealthy, some allow
ance may be made for the seeming slur
on very worthy class of people
The mechanic who has to win bread
for himself and family has hardly time
to devote to inventing; but the idle man
who has nothing to DO. if he keeps his
eyes open, carries off the prize in many
instances. But there are many who have |
an idea that they cannot invent because
they are not possessed of means to develop |
their ideas. They look ahead to those who |
have been successful and say: - They |
have been lucky, and have means to |
handle their invention, while am with |
out dollar and can do nothing" Most |
of our successful inventors have been |
those who had no means ia the shape of |
cash, but they had its substitute -pLuct.
There are hundreds of men who might |
pick up some valuable ideas and work |
them into shape if they were possessed
Of the requisite pluck. 1t will not do
to sit down and say, II wish could in
vent something. Our successful in
ventors were not of this stamp, and this
is written to encourage all who have a
taste for invention to reach for success
ful development of their ideas and put
Them in practical shape. To conclude:
Dur inventors are men of pluck. and
may be regarded as our best citizens,
even if they were once idfers. Scientific
A Case Of Conscience.