The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1885-01-25
nun BIZ CHANGE OF TEMPERATURES.
An Invention by Mr.. Barnum Something
Like Perpetual Motion.

Au bnVontton ny nv AornOn bOmeSolo1
Like Perpetual II otion.
To THE EDITOR or THE SUN-!Sir: It will
BIO Interesting to many thousands OF people in
this prominently mechanical age TO read a de-
scription OF a machine invented and con-
structed by Mr.. r. T. Barnum that is fairly
entitled to be called q perpetual motion ma
chino. This wonderful little machine ran tiro-
lessly until most unfortunately burned with
Mr.. Barnum's handsome residence. Iranistan.
twenty years ago. Many OF Mr.. Barnum's
friends and visitors OF those days marvolied
why the machine was mover put on sShi-
bition In his then popular museum In New
York. Tho reason given at that time
hS, the peGps s9ad 10 a
%ade run With such Or :im a mes M@s
had visited Mr.. Barnum and many others had
Written iho TO m SfsnG a 2, to buy aIh mes
public prints As perpetual motion. and indeed.
Mr.. Barnum purchased more than one Of such
bring Himself to believe or admit that Ina ina.
chine could not Do made that would run from
its finish until worn out: and without trick.
when mechanics was in its infancy. and tho
psspers were constantly dscussn. he probeIm,
hrst idea as explained to the writer was to
power ofexpansion and contraction in metals.
and no claimed that the difference in the natu:
DeNWeen nlEHI ana Jay WOuiu
DO sufficient; II properly applied. to run his
contemplated machine from the moment it was
finished until its motion had worn itself out.
The base of Mr.. Barnum's machine was
made OF glass, somethin s in the shape OF pill
box. eight inches in diameter by three inches
There was an openng in the centre and top OF
the base about half an inch in diameter. A glass
tube OF the same diameter AZ tho hols and ak
inches long. was inserted In the hole. SO that
when the heat Of midday caused the lulcksii-
yer to expand 1t would riso up through the
tube and force u piston upward. On tho ton OF
the piston rod was placed about five pounds Of
lead. When the temperature cooled the metal
contracted in the base and tube aud tine piston
WAS made to follow tho qu icasilver In the tube.
That gave tho piston n reciprocal motion. Gear
wheels connected with tho vertical piston rod
aud the macLine was complete, movement
OF 1-l000 Of an inch OF the, piston rod
gave motion to the periphery Of ths
fly wheel OF seventeen inches to tho
minute. which was quito enough to show that
the machine was Ia mot ion. II my recollection
shaft by slight friction only. SO that At tho ex-
act time Of change OF motion Of the piston rol
tho wheel would slip on its shaft and continue
Its motion until tho motion OF its shaft was re-
versed. whom In due time the wheel would stop
and instantly reverse its motion. and 80 on. OF
piled In this connection which would cause the
vince 10 rotate ono way, no matter which way
the piston rod travelled.
Tho machine ran constantly from tho mo.
ment 1t was discovered until II was DESTROYED
that the future clock will be SO constructed that
the changes In temperature between day and
night VIII wind 1t. and wind II gently. without
trouble or expense. IL
BRIDIEPoRT. Jan. 9.