The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1895-08-17
MARyELs OF THE kaleidoscope.
Unlimited Range Of Usefulness in Pro.
fessor Lathamis Invention.


The following article from the
Chicago Inter Ocean relative to the
invention of a former professorln the
West Virginia University will be of
interest to his many acquaintance
here and elsewhere. The Inter Ocean
says:
The kaleidoscope is one Of the
wonders Of the age. 1t is as marvel
GUS to day as the telescope. the phon-
ograph, and the kaleidoscope combin-
ed would have been a quarter Of a
century ago.
1t is the invention of Woodyille
Latham, a Mississippian by birth,
who has long been known in seienti-
iie circles as a man of the highest
order of attainments. He held the
chair Of physics and chemistry in
the University Of West Virginia for
several years. He was professor of
chemistry in the University of Mis-
sissippi at Oxford for five years, and
has held various other positions in
different parts Of the country. He
has always been ar Investigator and
experimenter, and many of the most
useful inventions in every day life
originated with him.
But the kaleidoscope is his crown.
ing achievement. Its possibilities
are beyond all computation. In its
present stage of development
itreproduces all moving objects and
their every motion life size and with
absolutely life like accuracy and fl
deity. No motion Of living objects
is too swift for its lightning like
powers Of reproduction.
1t really consists of TWO irstru-
ments-the telegraph, which is cap
able of taking 100 pictures, perfect
ly, in second, or 1900 q minute.
and the kaleidoscope, which projects
them life sized upon a screen of can
vass.
1t will take a great horse race,
with every movement of horses, Jock
eys, judges, and the crowds in the
grand stand and field, so that the
whole race is absolutely before the
eyes of the spectator, as distinctly
and wildly as if he were on the
ground.
1t will give a prize fight with eY-
cry movement and look of the fight
RS, their attendants, and the crowd
of lockers on, as true as life, as if the
whole were reflected in vast mirror.
Every feint and blow, every dodge
and clinch, every movement of the
referee, and every wave Of the towels
and fans of the seconds are absolute
ly true to life, Every gesture and
glance of the looker-on and every
puff of smoke from his cigar is ex
aetly reproduced So everybody can
now attend a prize fight without any
real brutality.
The kaleidoscope will exactly re
produce any ocean scene, giving the
motion of every wave from the time
it forms far out at sea till it breaks
in spray and foam upon the shore,
Fith every movement Of every vessel
in sight and Of every person on the
beach.
1t will take two flying birds or two
hundred from the time they come in
sight until they disappear, reproduc
ing every motion of every feather in
their wings and on their bodies.
This can be thrown on the screen
SO slowly that the whole philosophy
of flying birds can be studied at
leisure.
1t will take a fly walking upon n
pane of glass, and project it upon
the screen magnified, il need be,
million times, so that every move
meut of the wonderful mechanism Of
its air-pump legs and feet can be OK
amined,
Instances Of its wonderful powers
and possibilities might be multiplied
to fill columns of space; but it may
all be briefly summed up by saying
that there is no object or motion on
earth, in air, or sea, that it is not
capable of reproducing absolutely
true to life Scientists OF world
wide fame stand as much amazed
before it as children or untutored
pumpkins. 1t is worthy the atten-
ton of every one who has an interest
in the worlds advancement and en-
lightenment, and in the infinite pos
sibilities that lie within the reach of
human genius, aided by science.