Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-06


ties of scientific research, with the certainty
that their training is such that they can
accomplish the highest results.
A special illustration OF the methods by
which these results are aimed at is pre-
sented by the work laid out in Prof. Kerr's
department OF mechanical and electrical
engineering. A mere sketch of the plan of
study in this department, which is all that
space allows in this article, will show the
practical thoroughness OF the scientific edu-
cation which it provides. A large share OF
the course of instruction is in shop work
not, as has already been said, with the idea
of training skilled workmen, but for the
purpose of teaching students the uses, capa-
bilities and strength Of materials. The
student is first given two terms of wood
working, being taught to make patterns and
various shapes in wood. Then he goes into
the foundry, where he learns mold making
and makes moIds and castings of both brass
and iron from the patterns which he has
already made in the carpenter shop.
THROUGH EVERY STAGE OF THE WORK.
A fter that he is taken to the blacksmith
shop, where he studies forging, tempering
and the making of the tools and dies. One
of the strictly practical features of the scien-
tifc instruction is that the student, in each
the patterns molds and tools which be is to
use in the more advanced stages. After a
course OF instruction in steam fitting, the
last year of shop work is that in the ma
chine tool room, in working at lathes and
drilling machines.
This instruction completes the course of
shop work, taking three years. Then comes
the testing laboratory, where testing ma
chimes are provided tor testing the tensile
strength OF material, and for testing the
qualities of oils used in machinery. Prac-
tlce Is also given in the testing of
cement, and in learning how to indi-
cate the horse power and steam consump-
ton of steam engines, with tests of boilers
for evaporation, and consumption of fuel.
In the course OF electrical engineering the
instruction embraces the testing of dynamos
and motors to determine their electro motive
force, the output of current, and the eff
cheney of the dynamos. The course of cleo
trical engineering is not, of course, expected
to make electrical scientific experts, but
enables the students to obtain a grounding
in electrical engineering which permits
them to take up specialties of that work Of
science.
PHYSICAL LABORATORY WORK.
The other scientific departments of the
university exhibit the same quality Of prac-
tical work and instruction. In Prof. Frost's
physical department, including the subject
of sound, optics, mechanics and elec-
tricity. attention is especially given to
the development of physical laboratory
work, in which the student makes
his own experiments, and records
his observation, thus strengthening the
tendency in the line of original research.
The department of civil engineering under
the direction of Prof. Carhart, with Prof.
Stewart as assistant, carries on the work
heretofore done with the addition of expert
ments and tests of the strength of materials
for bridge building, and more or less in
struction in shop work of similar plan with
that in the department of mechanical engi-
neering. The chemical department under
the direction of Prot. Phillips has IA rooms
filled with apparatus for all branches of
chemical work, with special arrangement
for original research, in which the students
are educated with view to making their
own researches and experiments. Especial
attention is given in this department to
class of work which is of peculiar value to
Pittsburg, namely. the analysis of glasses
and ores and the assaying of metals.
THE WORK OF THE OBSERVATORY.
The connection of the observatory with
the new buildings of the university will
also furnish feature of much value in fur
nishing opportunities for astronomical study
and scientific work. Although the uni
versity has been connected with the observa-
tory heretofore, it is we'll known that the
work of the observatory has been to a GER
tain degree independent. The original re-
searches carried on by Prof. Langley, and
The work done by Mr.. Brashear in connection
with that institution, have already attained
world wide fame. Nearly all the original
research which Prof. Langley has made for |
,he advancement of astronomical knowledge |
was made in the observatory which is now |
with the university. Mr.. |
Brashear's work in astronomical observation |
has been of no less value, but he has attained |
special prominence in his manufacture of |
scientific and astronomical instruments of
uch exactness as cannot be reduplicated to-
lay anywhere in the known world.
1t Is 1ntimated that future arrangements |
nay be made by which the mutual ad-
,antage OF closer connection between Mr..
3rashear and the university may be OBJ
aimed, in which Mr.. Brashear shall occupy
he position of one of the leading scientific
instructors. That is matter for the iuture;
It present it is sufficient to know as a feature
# the university course that the observatory
will be used for the instruction of the
tudents in astronomy.
FILLS A PITTSBURG NEED.
Nothing like complete recital of the
curses of study to be provided in the new
'uilding, or full description of its stock
f apparatus. or the three floors of the main
uilding occupied by the spacious chapel,
be fully equipped gymnasium and we'll
lighted and ventilated recitation rooms, is
ossible or essential in this article. The
ractical furnishing Of the university with
rooms and equipment is all that
be most modern requirements could expect.
he interesting fact to Pittsburg is that
rought out by the illustrations taken from
he course, that in this institution the uni
ersity supplies the need or Pittsburg of
olytechnic institute, promising the scien-
ic instructions most needed in the prosecu-
ion of Pittsburg's great material industries
The departments for supplying scientific
irecrion to our industrial and engineering
-orks will, when the university gets fully
lto operation, add more to tine material
rork of Pittsburg than the imposing build
lgs and the beautiful lawn on the
,p of that commanding hill do to the at
,actions of architecture and landscape in
ur community. There is no doubt that the
ldustry and wealth of our city will show
s hearty appreciation of the new departure
/