The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1891-01-17
ROMANCE OF PATENTS.
HOW THE INVENTORS ARE RE-
wARDED FOR GENIUS.
nosors ana Emolsmehts for the 0risInators OF
Valuable Ideas-seme OF the singular
Articles from which Fortunes
Have Been Made

Ity, scarcely an article OF human con-
venience or necessity In the market
to-day that has not been the subject OF
patent In whole or In part The sale
OF every such article yields It's inventor
a profit II we purchase box OF paper
collars portion OF the price goes TO
the inventor; II we buy a sowing ma
chine the probability Is that we pay
royalty to rs many as dozen or fifteen
inventors Mt oncou Lord Brougham
often said that he would gladly have
exchanged his honors and emoluments
for the profits and renown OF the in
ventor OF the peramblator or sewing
machine. We are not wishful to lead
our readers to coyet what are termed
large fortunes" as really conducive
to happiness or usefulness. Fortune
is itself heather and not christian
word. But Invention" Is another
thing. and the remunerative results
are fitting element for consideration
In these days. Howe. the originator
OF the sewing machine, derived fl0O.-
900 year from It, and from their
mechanic improvements the celebrated
Wheeler a. Wilson are reputed TO
have divided for many years an
income OF f20c. 600. while the author
OF the Singer sewing machine left at
his decease nearly $4,000. 900. The
telephone, the planning machine and
the rubber patents realized many mill
lions. while the simple idea of heating
the blast in iron smelling Increased
the wealth OF the country by hundreds
OF millions. The patent for making
the lower ends of candles taper instead
OF parallel. so as to more easily fit the
socket. made the present enormous
business OF well-known firm OF Lon
don chambers. The drive welln was
an idea OF Colonel Green. whose troops
during the war were in want OF water.
He conceived the notion OF driving a
two-inch tube into the ground until
water was reached. and then attaching
pump. This simple contrivance was
patented. and the tens OF thousands OF
farmers who have adopted IL have been
obliged TO pay him a royalty. estimated
at f600.000 A large profit was real
lied by the inventor who patented tho
idea OF making umbrellas out Of al
paca instead OF gingham, and the
patentee OF the improved paragon
frame" Samuel Fox) lately left by
will fi70.0 900 out OF the profits Of his
invention. The weaving, dycing, lace
and ribbon making trades originated
and depend for their existence upon
ingenious machinery. the result OF an
inhnity OF inventive efforts.
The discovery OF the perforated sub
stance used for bottoming chairs and
for other purposes has made It's invent
or millionaire. George Yeaton, the
inventor in question, was poor Yam
lSee cane-seater In Vermont He first
distinguished himself by inventing u
machine for weaving cane. but he
made no money out OF It, as some one
stole his idea and had the process
patented. After a number OF years
experimenting Yeaton ut last hit upon
this invention, which consists OF a
number OF thin layers OF boards OF
different degrees OF hardness glued
together to give pliability. He formed
company. and to-day he has a plant
valued al $500. 600. and is in the receipt
OF a princely annual revenue derived
rom this inve ntlon. Carpet beating,
from being an untold nuisance, has be-
come lucrative trade through inven-
tive genius and mechanical contriy-
ance. Even natural curiosity has been
turned TO account In the number OF
automatic boxes for the sale OF goods
OF all kinds. and fabulous dividends
have been paid by the companies own
ing the patents. The most profitable
inventions have been tho Improvement Is
In simple devices. things OF everyday
use. that everybody wants. Among
tho number OF patents for small things
may be mentioned the photographic
pen," and pen for shading In differ
ent colors. producing $4,000 per
annum. A large profit has been
reaped by miner who invented a
metal rIyet or eyeIet at each end OF
tho mouth OF coat and trousers
pocket 10 resist the strain
caused by the carriage OF pieces OF ore
and heavy tools. la recent legal
action II transpired In evidence that
the inventor OF motal plates used 10
protect solcs and heels of boots from
wear sold upward OF $4,000, 600 plates
1879. an d In 1887 the number reach
ed 143. 600, 900, producing realized