The Washington times., 1895-06-19
HIGH SCHOOL MANUAL TRAINING

HIGH SCHOOL MANUAL TRAINING.
The beginning OF shop practice in the
Central High School was made in the fall
OF 1855, under the direction OF Prof. Koyle,
then head OF the physics department. The
equipment, consisting OF few tools, TWO
carpenter benches, a circular saw, and
wood lathe. was set up in the southwest
room OF the basement. The benefCiaries
OF this system were boys from the advanced
class in physics.
In September. 1856, a larger room,
occupying what was then the northwest
corner OF the basement, was devoted 10 this
department. and a special instructor placed
iu charge. With the help Of the third
year boys, who hadreceiyed the few mouths
inst tructiOn OF the year before, ten benches
were built aud a $500 equipment of tools
placed upon them.
The autumn of 1857 saw the manual
training department in home of lis own.
Each year since that time has seen ad-
tional room given up to the increasing
needs or the work, until now the shops
occupy al OF tine lower floors and part
OF the upper floors Of the two buildings,
624 and 626 o street northwest.
ThewOod-turning room is now 6Ox15
feet and contains 5 lathes and 5 pattern
makers benches. The forge shop. 6OX19
1etl. IS PROVIDED WIN 10 iTOu tOEEts OF con-
yeuient design, with blasts furnished 10y
single blower, and with an exhaust fan for
ventilation. The machine shop, 5OX19
feet. Couta ms seven engine-lathes, a speed
lathe, planer, a shaper, an upright drill
press, a universal milling machine, and
two emery grinders. besides a good supply
OF small tools.
There is also a draftng-room fitted
with - individual drawing stands. T8
power for the building is supplied by a
15-horsepower engine and 2O-horse-
power boiler.
There are now two parallel courses
Offered by tie High School shops, extend
ing over four years, and advancing, in
order. through the different branches Of
the work. The minor course, of two hours
each week. takes up drafting, wood turn
ing. forging, and machine work, and may
be taken as an extra study by boys in
the academic, scientific or language de-
partmcuts. The ma joT course. Of six
hours each week, pursueS the same sub lects
as the minor course, but TO a more advanced
stage, also some practice is given in
pattern making, mClding, and casting in
soft metal
The major course in manual training
forms required part Of, and is the main
distinguishing feature Of, the technical
course that was opened by the Central
High School last September. This course
matics, the sciences and manual training.
II is designed to give thorough prepara-
tiOn for the scientific and engineering
courses OF colleges Of the highest rank,
and at the same time 10 offer a broad
scientific and literary training TO those
pupils who do not expect to go afterwards
TO higher institutions of learning.
There have been this year a few special
pupils from the Central school who have
spent ten OF twelve hours weekly in the
shops one OF them graduated last year
from the Western High School and is
preparing to take an engineering course at
college: another was graduated from the
Business High School. There were alto
geJher seventy pupils taking the major
course of shop practice; forty-nine Of these
were in the technical course, and twenty
one in special courses There were also
155 in the minor course.
During tie past year pupils in the ma
chine shop have finished a fiye-horse
Sower upright engine that was nearly
completed by last years class, have built
entirely a Il0-voIt dynamo designed to
supply sixteen siXteen-candle power lights,
b small electric motor, a nine-inch speed
lathe of three and One-half foot bed, with
DOunUershaTt, parts Of a twist drill grinder
two pneumatic bicycle pumps, sets of
taps, twist drills, and gears, besides large
number of regular exercises.
In the forge shop the major course con-
sists OF thirty exercises in iron and steel
work. followed by special pieces in steel
OF artistic wrought iron, such as trimming
chsels. draw knives, hammers, andirons
lamp stands, etc.
In wood turning there are twenty excr-
ciSes, followed by special pieces, such as
vases, malletS, Indian clubs, dumbbells,
etc. Vases are turned for drawing models
for the schools and the mallets are used
in the school carpentry shops.
One-third OF the time allowed for shop
practice IN the first two years is devoted
TO drafting and il is intended TO have
the pupils make the main part of the
drawings and blue prints used in the shops.
The machine shop and forge shop are
now lighted on dark days by the steam
and electric plant. above referred TO,
thai has been built and installed entirely
by the pupils.
No attempt is made 10 teach a trade,
but the course deals with foundation prn-
cipies OF many trades and scientific pro-
fessiOns
II Is hut ten years ago that the first
public manual training high school was
established at Baltimore. The course at
that school h as been su bstantially the
same as the technical course now Offered
by the Central High School of this city
To-day many of the principal cities between
Boston and San Francisco have similar
schools that are eminently successful and
are growing in favor each year Phil
adelphia has two such schools, and
more boys are seeking admission TO them
than to the literary high schools.
and at the same time they are sending a
laTgerpe1centage oftheirg graduates tocoIlege
than 90 from the other schools
This is sufficient evidence OF the repu-
tation and high standing OF these schools.
The manual training High School is no
longer an experiment. The record ii has
made in the past assures for it rapid and
continuing growth as a large factor in
public education.
II is hoped that in the near future the
authorizes in washington VIII cive the