The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-10-07

1t is popularity supposed that. in order
20 invent machine for any particular
purpose, one unjust be an expert in the
particular business for which the machine
is designed. To a certain extent this
belief is correct, but itsomehow happens
| that many of the most valuable invon-
tions 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
| ventions are designed. 1t is not denied
that many of our most valuable inven-
tons are The works of mechanics and
operatives of machinery; but it is as
serted that great many valuable in
ventions have been brought out by men
who 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 a chance for improve
ment and drop Suddenly into the high
way to fortune.
The writer has just had an interview
with a 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,
a 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;" yet 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 a few minutes. He caught
the idea by seeing q man trying to get
an implement repaired. He saw the
affair was imperfect, improved it, and
revolutionized the world in its most inn
portant industry. He was no longer
called loafer, and although long de-
ceased, he is now, and will be as long 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 a 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 ''lazy good-for-nothing; but
when he finds himself successful his old
acquaintances are pleased to know him,
| 1t will be seen that our inventors range
| from millionaires down to loafers, or
rather Ujce rersa. 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 a 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 in the shape of
cash, but they had its substitute pluck.
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. Il 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 a success
full development of their ideas and put
them in practical shape. To conclude:
Our inventors are men of pluck, and
may be regarded as our best citizens,
even if they were once idlers. Scientific