The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-05-09

evolution OF the pineboard and the rail-
fence to the mighty steel columns that
. support two huge cars. each of which
will accommodate fifty persons
The see-saw, as the accompanying IL
iustration shows is composed OF a cen
trail tower and a bull-steel beam. This
steel tower is thirty feet square at the
base and seventy-iive feet high to the
upper pin. On this pin the beam which
is OF steel swings vertically. II is rectan-
gular. in sections. is thoroughly braced and
100 feet long. II is swung on Its axis by
means of two steel segments. which are
affairs resembling huge croquet wickets.
the ends of which fasten into the beam
and the rounded center slides over a por-
ton of the tower. which Is prepared 10 re-
eeive such action. Technically speaking.
pinions driven by the operating machine
engage the two segments.
To the ends of the big steel beams cars
are suspended-one car at each end. Each
car is capable OF holding fifty persons
and can be lifted alternately to a point
800 feet above the ground. This Is the
maximum height. The length of the steel
beam is also 30 feet. The cars used are
similar to those attached to the Ferris
wheel in Chicago. As the illustration
given herewith shows, when one car Is
at It's maximum height. the other rests
upon the earth. The beams will move
very slowly. the time necessary for the
ascent and descent from the ground to the
maximum height and vice versa being
about FIVE minutes
So slowly viii the beam move that the
sense of motion 10 the occupants of the
cars will be almost entirely lost. This IS
so arranged in order that very many per-
sons whom n journey into the air of this
sort would be apt to annoy with nausea.
may be free from any such internal lis
turbance. The view to be obtained from
trese cars will be of extraordinary beauty
The scene OF the battlefield of Nashville
IS visible TO the passengers as rs the Her
mitage" the former home of Andrew
Jackson. Belle Meade, the famous stock
farm of Tennessee. and many other points
OF interest
The machinery that will move the huge
see-saw Is located at the bottom OF the
steel tower and enclosed IN a small house.
II IL very simple for while the tower and
the huge truss beam are monsters % their
sort so delicate will be the adjustment
that the task OF the machinery in mov~
ing them will be comparatively easy. En-
cry one who has ever teetered. and tina,
means almost all persons who VIII read
this article understands how necessary
il was that the board used should lie
nicely balanced upon the fence, or upon
whatever object was it's central point OF
support This Is the idea which has been
observed In the construction OF the giant
see-saw.
II seems wonderful when one thinks
| Of IL that 80 great an affair as this could
be adjusted with such mechanical nicely.
| Yet Mr.. G. II. Devallos. or Nashville.
| whose idea Il is says that we're IL not fer
| mat same delicate adjustment. the see
| saw would Re an utter failure. The ques-
/ ton naturally arises. IS Ii possible for the
/ steel fean 20 slip and thus destroy the
| balance and get beyond the control o.
the machinery. The inventor says. how
/ ever. that owing 20 the tremendous pre-
hensile strength OF the structure. espe-
| ciaify al the points where any strain may
| rassibiy develop. that an accident o. tbs
| sort suggested IS absolutely impossible.
A. the time OF the Worlds Columbian
| Esxnositson In Chicago. or rather Soms
| r,oglfhs previous thereto, an idea some
| hing IKE that which. has resulted in fh'
| construction OF the see-saw was preached
! The builders and mechanical experts whs
/ we're asked 20 pass upon the idea iaughes
! a. the plan and said that even In this ers
| ~ wonderful creations the successful car
ryfng out OF such a project was entlrel,
out OF the question. II simply coul. no
- done Mr.. Devailos has. however
| snnxn that the seeming Impossible 1
1 clearly practica BILE and his see-saw prom
sses 20 be one Of the greatest II not tn
greatest attraction AZ the Tennessee Cen
tennial.
The contractors promise 20 have the see
saw Finished early in May, for the exposi
| .tor opens May l and continues until tn,
fst Of November. From present indics
| lions their task viii surely be completed
| and il Is likely BY the time this reache
| the public the first trial viii have take
! niare. There is TO reason 10 doubt tina
| the see-saw wlsl be an entire success. Mod
els which are exact duplicates IN detail Q
| the towering structure have worked pet
!ectIy. AL sorts OF experiments have Dee