The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1888-07-28
THE LATEST WONDER.
An Ingenious Mechanical Device Tifa
Tells the Time Of Day.


Tells the Time Of Day.
Prof. Charles Richel, the inventor Of
the flying machine, which created 30
much interest a few years ago, Is com.
pleting mechanical wonder which is
an astonishing piece Of mechanism.
It promises to create great furor
throughout the country. He has been
over year experimenting with it, and
has at last achieved results which ut
the outstart seemed impossible. He
was given carte-blanche from large
watch manufacturing concern toget up
the novelty, time and expense being q
secondary consideration. Prof. Richel
has kept the matter secret, and, has
permitted no one to enter his study
excepting one or two intimate friends.
A reporter was given private view
recently.
The entrance to the studio is by way
Of dark staircase on John street.. op-
posite the rear Of the North Congrega-
tional church. Double doors, screen
and heavy curtain shut out the day
light. Electric lightsare used to work
by. There are all sorts of grotesque
heads, arms and bits of plaster anatomy
hanging around the; room, and upon
the workbench are brass molds and a
variety of fine tools for the purpose OF
working in steel and brass.
The new wonderis life-sized youth
of perhaps sixteen years of age. He
is a fine-looking lad, in perfect imita-
tion Of the average boy of the present
day. The figure stands upon the floor,
and is attired in knickerbockers and
laced shoes, vest, coat, etc.-tO all APP
pearances a living boy. Prof. Richel
did not approach the figure, but spoke
to 1t, saying: "G0od evening, Bobby;
what time is it?'' The figure turned
its head and bowed slightly, and
with its left hand pulled back the
coat. The right hand, which had been
hanging at the side, was lifted up to
the vest pocket and drew out watch.
The watch was then carried up to the
ear, at the same time the head turned
80 as to bring the ear down in a listen
ing attitude, while the eyes closed.
When the silent youth was assured
that the watch was ticking, the hand
dropped slightly forwards; the head
turned so as to bring the face to look
full atsthe watch, the eyes opened and
a pleased smile spread over his feat
ures. The head was then thrown back,
the hand which held the watch be-
tween the thumb and index finger re-
turned the watch to the vest pocket
and was then gracefully swung back
into its resting position by the side.
The mouth opened, and with a pleas
ant laugh the figure said: ''It's just
half-past eight, gentlemen"
So naturally was all this performed
that for an instant it seemed as if the
figure was an actual living being.
There was no jerly movement, nor the
slightest jar or noise. The eyes opened
and closed, and the head moved about
to all appearances like a living one.
Prof Richel laughed and said: "What
do you think of it9" and then proceeded
to explain. how it was operated. Inside
the figure is an electric motor. This
had been. set in operation by touching
a concealed. button in the floor several
feet away from where the professor
had been. standing. Afterward he
opened the chest of the figure and ex-
posed the cams, springs, weigh-bal-
ances, spiral and levers which had
caused the arms and head to move.
The cleverest parts are those which
cause the wrist, thumb, and fingers to
move. The articulatory mechanism is
very similar to that employed in a
phonograph. - Bridgeport. Cor. N. Y.
World.