Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1882-08-09
WONDERS IN INTENTIONS


Important Discoveries of the last Decade.
The last ten years in the history OF
American inventions have been wonder
fully prolific III important results. 70
say nothing of the telephone, the phono-
graph, the electric light and the system
of automatic and quadrupIex telegraphy,
all of which have been so fully described
that their principles are perfectly ia
,niliar to the general public, there have
been numerous discoveries and improve
ments which, in their way, have brought
| about revolutions in the arts and
sciences. Among the most important
Of recent discoveries are improvements
in the manufacture of vulcanized India
rubber i'll its various applications, which
have resulted in making it the best and
cheapest material for superior and high
ly-fnished combs. These combs, in
fexibility and durability, are equal to
the best horn aed shell, and are now
extensively manufactured. The princi-
pal factories for the making of rubber
combs are located in Connecticut. The
material produced by this new process
possessed peculiar qualities. It was
more perfectly elastic than common
caoutchouc, resisted the action of tho
ordinary solvents Of that material. was
better able TO resist the wear and tear of
its surface and preserved its tiexibility
at all temperatures. Then Mr.. Nelson
Goodyear patented process for solidify-
ing rubber, making it susceptible to
any form OF process OF manufacture.
The next invention of any Importance
was pegginS machine. Pegged shoes
made by hand were manufactured in
large quantities long time before the
invention of this machine but the man
ufacturc was, and is, confined chiefly to
mems boots and shoes, and TO the coars-.
er kinds Of ladies' shoes. Lynn, the
great center OF the manaiac ure Of ladies'
shoes, was never engaged to any extent
In the manufacture Of pegged shoes.
The Introduction Of this machine large
ly increased the production, and, of
course, diminished the cost of product.
There have been many improvements in
the stitching machi.e, the product orig
inally Of the mechanical genius Of Elias
Howe This machine was fist perfect
cd In 1916.
A process has recently been patented
III the United States by which shot is
made at a low elevation hy forcing
strong current Of ar upon it rs it falls
into the water. Another important use
to which lead is put is the preparation
of oxide o. lead og white lead as pig
ment, Ia th.3 branch u the lead indus
try this country takes II prominent aud
probably leading position, as the. prae-
tice of painting dwelling houses is more
common than in any other country.
The safety drum, another new inven-
ton, is a safety device which guards
against ace. dent arising from such de-
rangement in elevator machinery, or
some obstruction i'll the hatchway,
whereby the ropes may be uncoilod from
the main drum Of the engine, while the
car remains temporarily lodged at a
greater or less distance from tie bottom.
1T is also 4 perfect safeguard against the
too-rapid descent of tie car, IN case the
belt OF any part Of the gearing connect
cd with the engine shoald give way, OK
il run too fast by the caselessness Of the
operator.
Great improvements have been
made il the methods of construction
used for iron safes making them i'm
pregnable to almost any appliance in
use by the most expert burglars. The
doors, which are generally the weak
point OF the safe, are constructed Of
plates SO dove tailed and fitting cores
pondingly into the jambs that the wedge,
the effective implement used by the
burglar, is perfectly powerless against
them, while the accuracy with which
they fit offers no opportunity for any
creyioe into which nitro-glycerine OF any
other explosive duid can be introduced.
The body of the safe being also con-
structed of alternate plates of iron,
welded iron and steel, carbonized and
decarbonized steel and crystal steel,
fastened together by bolts from the in
side. effectively prevents them being
forced by sledge-hanmers, jimmies,
iack-screws or any other burglasions in
strumont. Thar fre-pfoof qualities are
also secured b. filing 81 concrete,
which makes item absolutely proof
against both ire AID amcp. l,adli ion
10 the Gre-}roof CLING, the safes are
furnished with improved combination
locks. varied fer each safe, many Of
Which arc supplied with an automatic
rotary movement, ana consequ nt.y
operated without any arbor or spindle
passing through the door in the lock,
rendering il impossible to pick them by
any process yet invented.
In 1872 Or. Calling invented and pat
ented steam piow, or earth-pulverizing
machine, to be propelled by steam and
animal power combined. The failure of
his health and Tie low price of grain at
that time prevented bis bringing this
invention into practical use. DR.. Cat
hing had devoted his time and attention
to improving the gun which bears his
name, and the success which has attend
| ed his labors seduced him from the more
congenial field Of peaceful invention.
Inventive talent has also been brought
to bear upon soap. Several materials
have been avowediy and openly mixed
with soaps as improvements. The use