The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-01-23
CRIMINALS AS INVENTORS.
Remarkable Contrivances First Made
for Wrong Uses.

The Patent Record.
1t is a remarkable fact that some of the
greatest inventions have been brought
forth by men Of the under world. AT the
present time the principal European coun-
tries are using a coin-making machine in
their minis which was invented and used
with large profit making results by a
Manchester England coiner known as
Henry Harvey, who is at present in Port
land prison. If his coin-maker had not
been so perfect he might still be living
handsomely on its earnings.
The attention of Scotland Yard was at
tracted by some beautifully made coins in
circulation which far surpassed those
turned out by the mint with the result
that Henry Harvey was soon after lodged
at public expense. But his coin-maker was
so perfect the continental powers all
adopted it, and if Mr.. Harvey had only pat
ented his invention instead of working it
himself he would now be drawing over ten
thousand a year In royalties.
The diScoVerer of thermite was Fritz Won
SchBsidt, known to the European police as
Count Ether, because he was a scientist
who, when wanted for burglary, always
vanished quickly that volatile spirit.
During the early part Of 1898 nearly 5000,
coo stolen from the strong rooms of the
London, Paris and Berlin banks. In every
case the burglar attained his object by
his body or hands first through the metal
door of the strong room and then to the
safe inside. No noise was made and no
tools were necessary except a small heating
apparatus such as painters use to warp old
paint, but by using thermite in place OF
the ordinary spirit such a heat was OBJ
tanned that the best steel melted like wax.
Won Schmidt was discovered by his eff
forts to patent his invention. He explained
to patent agent in Berlin what his Their
mite would DO, and half an hour later was
under arrest.
The hypodermic syringe was invented by
a medical genius named Du Chaillon, whose
criminal tendencies barred him from all in
tercourse with self-respecting men. He
sank lower and lower and finally founded
a school of crime where he taught and en-
ployed the Paris gamins to do the dirty
work. Stimulated by the aid Of the hypo-
dermic syringe and while under its In
fiuence they accomplished wonderful feats
that require great daring and nerves OF
steel. The medical world afterwards
adopted the syringe and thousands of lives
are now saved annually by its aid.
Divers are enabled by the aid of the
Johnson pump and helmet. to not only de-
scend to great depths in the sea, but also
to explore caves and turn six or seven
consecutive sharp corners while under the
water, which was impossible before the
discovery of this invention. Arthur John
son was a burglar and invented his pump
and helmet to enable him to enter one OF
the largest London banks. He rented a
house near the bank and set TO work. He
discovered that a small spring ran under
the bank 5 strong room. His plan was to
work during the night in this spring which
had been walled in and made to act as a
sewer. From this tunnel he meant to chisel
his way up into the strong room above
but il was impossible to stop long in the
sewer without some safeguard against
drowning He then invented his pump and
helmet, and although he failed in his at
tempt to rob the bank, his invention has
enabled men to explore depths which were
before unknown.