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Mechanical progress—the past and present contrasted
Oct., x889.]
3fechanical Progress, etc.
297
u r g e d in the paper p u b l i s h e d in t h e S e p t e m b e r n u m b e r of the JOURNAL. Opinions are not faets and p r e s u m p t i o n s are not arguments. MECHANICAL
PROGRESS--THE PAST ENT CONTRASTED. ~
A~qD P R E S -
BY GEORGE B. PRICE, M.E., M e m b e r of the INSTITUTE.
T h e purpose of this paper is to indicate s o m e t h i n g of the wonderful g r o w t h of our m a n u f a c t u r i n g i n d u s t r i e s in the last t w e n t y years, and to call a t t e n t i o n to the wide difference in systems, m a r k i n g this from previous epochs; especially the i n t r o d u c t i o n of the d r a f t i n g room, as one of, if not the chief factor in p r o m o t i n g this unparalleled g r o w t h of m e c h a n i c arts. To show the invariable superiority of one m e t h o d over all others for a c c o m p l i s h i n g a purpose, and to be able to prove by m a n y notable examples the u n q u e s t i o n a b l e value of such m e t h o d , is to show, at once, the road by w h i c h the live m e n of to-day are w i n n i n g a deserved success, and a v e r y possible cause of partial failure to those who are yet u n a c q u a i n t e d w i t h the v e r y radical c h a n g e in the situation. N o t h i n g is t r u e r to this c e n t u r y t h a n the oft-heard phrase, " t h e world moves on." T i m e was w h e n m e n were satisfied w i t h candle-light. T h e ship in w h i c h C o l u m b u s sailed was doubtless looked upon as a noble craft. Men, for centuries, plowed the e a r t h w i t h wooden plowshares, and the s m i t h at his forge was the n o b l e m a n in m e c h a n i c a l skill. Our century, w i t h its m y r i a d wheels of invention, looks back upon those times as u p o n a world" in its infancy. It was in its infancy. T h e n m e n toiled as best t h e y k n e w how ; a n d w i t h c o m m e n d a b l e zeal c o n s t r u c t e d the argosies t h a t have floated h u m a n i t y to the portals of a new age. F r o m those portals a new l i g h t is shining, w i t h promise of u n t o l d wealth. T h e rapid accretion of k n o w l e d g e in the scientific world has evolved principles t h a t m e n k n e w * Read by rifleat the Stated Meeting heldWednesday, September x8, I889.
298
Price
."
[J. F. I.,
n o t h i n g of, even a c e n t u r y ago ; b u t which, b e i n g recognized and practically applied, are s t i m u l a t i n g the g r e a t world of industries, a b r o g a t i n g the old and i n s t i t u t i n g revised methods, to such an e x t e n t that m e n have n o w g r o w n perfectly familiar wi~h the q u o t a t i o n that " t h i n g s are not n o w done as t h e y used to be." H o w v e r y true! I n s t e a d of a small w o o d e n hull, drifting u n c e r t a i n l y u p o n an almost i m p a s s a b l e sea, we have n o w the a d v a n t a g e of swift and massive " o c e a n g r e y h o u n d s , " w h o s e grace and perfection tell of a new world of m e c h a n i c arts. T h e s m i t h at his forge, toiling with scarce-requited labor, to express in r u d e form the conceptions of his individual brain, has given place to our splendid m a c h i n e shops and g r e a t f o u n d r i e s , e q u i p p e d with " p l a n t " that n o w m a k e s easily p o s s i b l e w h a t once had been m o r e than a U t o p i a n dream. T h e secret of all this change, this w o n d e r f u l accretion of the wealth of the world, is the genius of invention, controlled b y scientific k n o w l e d g e and w r o u g h t o u t b y the subdivision of labor. This means, w h e n practically applied to our p r e s e n t subject: First, the conception, in one or m o r e minds, of the e l e m e n t a r y ideas of an invention. To e m b o d y this invention is the work, next, of the mechanical engineer, w h o s e province it is to consider the various principles of construction that e n t e r into the c o m b i n a t i o n ; to a d j u s t the different parts to each other and to the whole, h a v i n g regard to the r e q u i r e d solidity, stability, flexibility, simplicity and economy, as well as the m o s t a p p r o v e d or possible m e t h o d s of casting, welding, finishing and j o i n i n g those parts, considerations w h i c h m a y not only affect the u l t i m a t e practicability of the invention, but, according to the m a n n e r in w h i c h t h e s u b j e c t is treated, will d e p e n d largely the grace, s y m m e t r y and perfection of the machine. T h e position of the mechanical engineer, in this early s t a g e of the work, is as u n i q u e as it is important. H e is like the doctor w h o is versed in the principles of medicine, b u t who, according to his appreciation of the conditions of the case, not less than the i n g e n u i t y of his resources, m a y often build up t h e p a t i e n t speedily and lastingly, or only partially and imperfectly.
Oct., I889.]
~[eckanicaI Progress, etc.
299
T h e physician of k n o w n ability is quite likely to be the cheapest in the end; so the timely e m p l o y m e n t of the engineer is almost certain to m e a n the b e s t construction of the work proposed, in the shortest time and with the most economy in u l t i m a t e cost. F r o m the h a n d s of the engineer (who should follow u p and s u p e r i n t e n d the s u b s e q u e n t construction) the plang and specifications go into those of the several w o r k m e n w h o are individually instructed, b y the drawings, as to the proper w a y of w o r k i n g up their respective details. T h e r e is in this w a y no clashing or confusion, each m a n being responsible only for the correct production of his part. Such seems to be the true explanation of the economic principles of the subdivision of labor. Men h a v e found out ~rinciplcs, and t h a t the m o s t progress is m a d e and wealth more rapidly a c c u m u l a t e d w h e n the several stages of any piece of w o r k are each g u i d e d and controlled by those w h o have m a d e t/tat ~art their special study. W e have a v e r y limited idea of the subdivision of labor w h e n we think of it only as of a n u m b e r of men bein~ divided into g r o u p s for the several m a n u a l operations in forming, say, a pin. This, indeed, is s u b d i v i s i o n of labor; b u t it should m e a n m o r e than this. It p r e s u p p o s e s antecedent skill and varied ability of a high order. Before the finished p r o d u c t was possible, an intricate piece of m a c h i n e r y h a d to be built; w h i c h f u r t h e r presupposes not only skilled mechanics, b u t an inventive genius, and an ability, of somebody, to u n d e r s t a n d the r e q u i r e m e n t s and correctly p o r t r a y on paper the m a n y parts, in detail, and as a whole. T h e designer was quite as necessary as the inventor or the workman. L e t it be r e m e m b e r e d , then, t h a t the workshop, t h o u g h necessary for the practical e m b o d i m e n t of the invention, is yet distinct from the invention. T h e rule of true progress here is plain. T h e invention m u s t first be clearly conceived and plainly d r a w n on paper, clearly and in detail, carefully and s t u d i o u s l y designed according to the principles g o v e r n i n a the particular construction; in short, it should be wholly
30o
PrKe:
[J.F.I.,
c r e a t e d and visibly expressed in e v e r y detail, b y one w h o is m a s t e r of the subject, before it is p u t into t h e h a n d s of a single workman. H o w m a n y ambitious, bright, b u t over-sanguine m e n h a v e conceived a general notion of some invention, involving mechanical principles of which, m o s t likely, t h e y k n e w little or nothing, and h a v e t h r o w n a w a y time and h u n d r e d s - - p e r h a p s t h o u s a n d s - - o f dollars in b l u n d e r i n g a l o n g - - t i m e and m o n e y t h a t m i g h t h a v e b e e n s a v e d h a d t h e y s t a r t e d aright. Most a s s u r e d l y it can be said, with emphasis, no m a t t e r h o w g r e a t or h o w small the n e w work proposed, cons t r u c t it first on paper! P r o g r e s s i v e m a n u f a c t u r e r s and m a c h i n i s t s e v e r y w h e r e are e v e r y y e a r recognizing more forcibly the v a l u e of this m e t h o d , and, recognizing it, are g r o w i n g richer. Look into o u r b e s t w o r k s h o p s of to-day; the g r e a t foundries and m a c h i n e works t h a t turn out our exact machinery, our fine locomotives, our floating p a l a c e s ; in all y o u will f i n d - - n o t " a rule of t h u m b " and endless experiment, b u t a well-constituted, t h o r o u g h l y s u p e r i n t e n d e d d r a w i n g room. H e r e the work is first really constructed, on paper, the varied problems carefully t h o u g h t out, the m a n y parts fitted and proportioned to their several functions ; then the various artisans and w o r k e r s are given their parts, and the w h o l e s t r u c t u r e g r o w s uniformly, rapidly, to perfect completion. This is the n e w way. It has come to stay. It m i g h t be i n t e r e s t i n g to some to h a v e d e s c r i b e d t h e actual w o r k i n g r o u t i n e of one of our largest and m o s t successful m a n u f a c t u r i n g e s t a b l i s h m e n t s - - t h e g r e a t locomotive works, w h o s e world-wide r e p u t a t i o n has m a d e t h e A m e r i c a n l o c o m o t i v e f a m o u s as a c o m p e t i t o r on a l m o s t e v e r y line of railroad in the civilized world. One m i g h t n a t u r a l l y conclude t h a t the s y s t e m preferred b y such a firm, a f t e r years of fruitful e x p e r i e n c e - - t h e s y s t e m which t u r n s o u t two c o m p l e t e d locomotives a d a y - - o u g h t to h a v e superior m e r i t ; and if any d o u b t of this should r e m a i n in a n y one's mind, it should be fully dispersed b y the f u r t h e r a n n o u n c e m e n t t h a t the virtues of t h a t s a m e s y s t e m are b e i n g appreciated, and as far as possible i m i t a t e d b y corn-
Oct., x889.]
Mechanical Proyrrss, etc.
3or
petitive coneerns, whose capacity and business are being rapidly enlarged in consequence. Let us, then, take a swift glance through the said establishment, beginning with the drafting room, which is properly the starting place for our inspection. Here, in a welllighted, ample apartment, are a number of draftsmen, m a n y of them brought up in the service. These are under the supervision and direction of a superintendent, who originally decides upon the plan of each locomotive to be built, estimating its capabilities and requirements. Instructions and a specification are then given to a draftsman in charge, who carefully constructs on paper elevations and sections necessary to the complete locomotive. The detail drawings are then executed on stiff card-boards, or other materials suited to stand shop-wear, and after passing satisfactory inspection of the examiner of drawings, are given out, carefully numbered and registered, to the respective shops. No work can be done in any of the shops until this is done, thus manifesting the high importance which this successful establishment attaches to correct drawings as the starting point for all construction. In the shops, the m a n y details are each carefully w r o u g h t out, in strict conformity to the drawing, and, as completed, sent to the erecting shop, where, under competent foremen, the various parts are rapidly adjusted, each falling into its proper place, and in an incredibly short time the completed locomotive is breathed into by the breath of its steam-life, and starts upon its career, a giant of force and a m o n u m e n t of engineering skill. T i m e was when a complete preliminary drawing was hardly known in a machine shop. Then, men blundered, and blunders are always costly. Time will be soon, when a machine shop without its drawing room, its superintending engineer, will be but a lingering reminder of an experimental age before men had learned the true source of progress and wealth. Those that still cling, like the smith of old, to the methods of a by-gone age, are falling behind in the race, for while, in a sense, t h e y may be laboriously building up a
302
[J. F. I.,
Committee ."
small trade, others, t a k i n g a d v a n t a g e of the proven b e t t e r m e t h o d s for success, will be f o r g i n g a h e a d into enviable wealth. T h e former has been left behind, not because of inferior ability, in his line, b u t because he has lost time in t r y i n g h i m s e l f to do w h a t a n o t h e r could have b e t t e r done, at less expense to him. There is another and concluding thought that should give hope to every man in the mechanic world. As his craft grows into closer relationship with the great world of science about and above him, it will certainly lift him to a higher plane. Men are everywhere realizing, as never before, the everlasting truth of fixed principles and universal law governing all things. If a house falls, a bridge gives way, a dam bursts its confines, it is no longer an unaccountable event. Something was deficient. The capacity to detect the cause, the power to avert the evil by a scientific knowledge of the principles of construction is, of all knowledge, the most useful, while its possession, in proportion to its completeness, should raise its possessor to the first ranks among men.
CHAS.
A. TEAL'S
PORTABLE
HOIST.
[Report o f the Committee on Science and the Arts.]
[No. i4o2. ]
HALL OF THE FRANKLIN INSTITUTE, PHILADELPHIA, April, 1889. T h e Sub-Committee of the C o m m i t t e e on Science a n d t h e A r t s , c o n s t i t u t e d by the FRANKLIN INSTITUTE of the S t a t e of P e n n s y l v a n i a , to w h o m was referred t h e application of the Teal H o i s t C o m p a n y of Philadelphia, for an e x a m i n a t i o n and report upon the m e r i t s of AN IMPROVED CItAIN HOIST PATENTED BY CHAS. A. TEAL, OF PHILADELPHIA, APRIL 8, 1884, NO. 296,364, Report that : As will be seen b y a copy of the p a t e n t a n n e x e d and b y e x a m i n a t i o n of t h e hoist e x h i b i t e d : T h e hoist consists of a malleable-iron f r a m e s u s p e n d e d
3fechanical Progress, etc.
297
u r g e d in the paper p u b l i s h e d in t h e S e p t e m b e r n u m b e r of the JOURNAL. Opinions are not faets and p r e s u m p t i o n s are not arguments. MECHANICAL
PROGRESS--THE PAST ENT CONTRASTED. ~
A~qD P R E S -
BY GEORGE B. PRICE, M.E., M e m b e r of the INSTITUTE.
T h e purpose of this paper is to indicate s o m e t h i n g of the wonderful g r o w t h of our m a n u f a c t u r i n g i n d u s t r i e s in the last t w e n t y years, and to call a t t e n t i o n to the wide difference in systems, m a r k i n g this from previous epochs; especially the i n t r o d u c t i o n of the d r a f t i n g room, as one of, if not the chief factor in p r o m o t i n g this unparalleled g r o w t h of m e c h a n i c arts. To show the invariable superiority of one m e t h o d over all others for a c c o m p l i s h i n g a purpose, and to be able to prove by m a n y notable examples the u n q u e s t i o n a b l e value of such m e t h o d , is to show, at once, the road by w h i c h the live m e n of to-day are w i n n i n g a deserved success, and a v e r y possible cause of partial failure to those who are yet u n a c q u a i n t e d w i t h the v e r y radical c h a n g e in the situation. N o t h i n g is t r u e r to this c e n t u r y t h a n the oft-heard phrase, " t h e world moves on." T i m e was w h e n m e n were satisfied w i t h candle-light. T h e ship in w h i c h C o l u m b u s sailed was doubtless looked upon as a noble craft. Men, for centuries, plowed the e a r t h w i t h wooden plowshares, and the s m i t h at his forge was the n o b l e m a n in m e c h a n i c a l skill. Our century, w i t h its m y r i a d wheels of invention, looks back upon those times as u p o n a world" in its infancy. It was in its infancy. T h e n m e n toiled as best t h e y k n e w how ; a n d w i t h c o m m e n d a b l e zeal c o n s t r u c t e d the argosies t h a t have floated h u m a n i t y to the portals of a new age. F r o m those portals a new l i g h t is shining, w i t h promise of u n t o l d wealth. T h e rapid accretion of k n o w l e d g e in the scientific world has evolved principles t h a t m e n k n e w * Read by rifleat the Stated Meeting heldWednesday, September x8, I889.
298
Price
."
[J. F. I.,
n o t h i n g of, even a c e n t u r y ago ; b u t which, b e i n g recognized and practically applied, are s t i m u l a t i n g the g r e a t world of industries, a b r o g a t i n g the old and i n s t i t u t i n g revised methods, to such an e x t e n t that m e n have n o w g r o w n perfectly familiar wi~h the q u o t a t i o n that " t h i n g s are not n o w done as t h e y used to be." H o w v e r y true! I n s t e a d of a small w o o d e n hull, drifting u n c e r t a i n l y u p o n an almost i m p a s s a b l e sea, we have n o w the a d v a n t a g e of swift and massive " o c e a n g r e y h o u n d s , " w h o s e grace and perfection tell of a new world of m e c h a n i c arts. T h e s m i t h at his forge, toiling with scarce-requited labor, to express in r u d e form the conceptions of his individual brain, has given place to our splendid m a c h i n e shops and g r e a t f o u n d r i e s , e q u i p p e d with " p l a n t " that n o w m a k e s easily p o s s i b l e w h a t once had been m o r e than a U t o p i a n dream. T h e secret of all this change, this w o n d e r f u l accretion of the wealth of the world, is the genius of invention, controlled b y scientific k n o w l e d g e and w r o u g h t o u t b y the subdivision of labor. This means, w h e n practically applied to our p r e s e n t subject: First, the conception, in one or m o r e minds, of the e l e m e n t a r y ideas of an invention. To e m b o d y this invention is the work, next, of the mechanical engineer, w h o s e province it is to consider the various principles of construction that e n t e r into the c o m b i n a t i o n ; to a d j u s t the different parts to each other and to the whole, h a v i n g regard to the r e q u i r e d solidity, stability, flexibility, simplicity and economy, as well as the m o s t a p p r o v e d or possible m e t h o d s of casting, welding, finishing and j o i n i n g those parts, considerations w h i c h m a y not only affect the u l t i m a t e practicability of the invention, but, according to the m a n n e r in w h i c h t h e s u b j e c t is treated, will d e p e n d largely the grace, s y m m e t r y and perfection of the machine. T h e position of the mechanical engineer, in this early s t a g e of the work, is as u n i q u e as it is important. H e is like the doctor w h o is versed in the principles of medicine, b u t who, according to his appreciation of the conditions of the case, not less than the i n g e n u i t y of his resources, m a y often build up t h e p a t i e n t speedily and lastingly, or only partially and imperfectly.
Oct., I889.]
~[eckanicaI Progress, etc.
299
T h e physician of k n o w n ability is quite likely to be the cheapest in the end; so the timely e m p l o y m e n t of the engineer is almost certain to m e a n the b e s t construction of the work proposed, in the shortest time and with the most economy in u l t i m a t e cost. F r o m the h a n d s of the engineer (who should follow u p and s u p e r i n t e n d the s u b s e q u e n t construction) the plang and specifications go into those of the several w o r k m e n w h o are individually instructed, b y the drawings, as to the proper w a y of w o r k i n g up their respective details. T h e r e is in this w a y no clashing or confusion, each m a n being responsible only for the correct production of his part. Such seems to be the true explanation of the economic principles of the subdivision of labor. Men h a v e found out ~rinciplcs, and t h a t the m o s t progress is m a d e and wealth more rapidly a c c u m u l a t e d w h e n the several stages of any piece of w o r k are each g u i d e d and controlled by those w h o have m a d e t/tat ~art their special study. W e have a v e r y limited idea of the subdivision of labor w h e n we think of it only as of a n u m b e r of men bein~ divided into g r o u p s for the several m a n u a l operations in forming, say, a pin. This, indeed, is s u b d i v i s i o n of labor; b u t it should m e a n m o r e than this. It p r e s u p p o s e s antecedent skill and varied ability of a high order. Before the finished p r o d u c t was possible, an intricate piece of m a c h i n e r y h a d to be built; w h i c h f u r t h e r presupposes not only skilled mechanics, b u t an inventive genius, and an ability, of somebody, to u n d e r s t a n d the r e q u i r e m e n t s and correctly p o r t r a y on paper the m a n y parts, in detail, and as a whole. T h e designer was quite as necessary as the inventor or the workman. L e t it be r e m e m b e r e d , then, t h a t the workshop, t h o u g h necessary for the practical e m b o d i m e n t of the invention, is yet distinct from the invention. T h e rule of true progress here is plain. T h e invention m u s t first be clearly conceived and plainly d r a w n on paper, clearly and in detail, carefully and s t u d i o u s l y designed according to the principles g o v e r n i n a the particular construction; in short, it should be wholly
30o
PrKe:
[J.F.I.,
c r e a t e d and visibly expressed in e v e r y detail, b y one w h o is m a s t e r of the subject, before it is p u t into t h e h a n d s of a single workman. H o w m a n y ambitious, bright, b u t over-sanguine m e n h a v e conceived a general notion of some invention, involving mechanical principles of which, m o s t likely, t h e y k n e w little or nothing, and h a v e t h r o w n a w a y time and h u n d r e d s - - p e r h a p s t h o u s a n d s - - o f dollars in b l u n d e r i n g a l o n g - - t i m e and m o n e y t h a t m i g h t h a v e b e e n s a v e d h a d t h e y s t a r t e d aright. Most a s s u r e d l y it can be said, with emphasis, no m a t t e r h o w g r e a t or h o w small the n e w work proposed, cons t r u c t it first on paper! P r o g r e s s i v e m a n u f a c t u r e r s and m a c h i n i s t s e v e r y w h e r e are e v e r y y e a r recognizing more forcibly the v a l u e of this m e t h o d , and, recognizing it, are g r o w i n g richer. Look into o u r b e s t w o r k s h o p s of to-day; the g r e a t foundries and m a c h i n e works t h a t turn out our exact machinery, our fine locomotives, our floating p a l a c e s ; in all y o u will f i n d - - n o t " a rule of t h u m b " and endless experiment, b u t a well-constituted, t h o r o u g h l y s u p e r i n t e n d e d d r a w i n g room. H e r e the work is first really constructed, on paper, the varied problems carefully t h o u g h t out, the m a n y parts fitted and proportioned to their several functions ; then the various artisans and w o r k e r s are given their parts, and the w h o l e s t r u c t u r e g r o w s uniformly, rapidly, to perfect completion. This is the n e w way. It has come to stay. It m i g h t be i n t e r e s t i n g to some to h a v e d e s c r i b e d t h e actual w o r k i n g r o u t i n e of one of our largest and m o s t successful m a n u f a c t u r i n g e s t a b l i s h m e n t s - - t h e g r e a t locomotive works, w h o s e world-wide r e p u t a t i o n has m a d e t h e A m e r i c a n l o c o m o t i v e f a m o u s as a c o m p e t i t o r on a l m o s t e v e r y line of railroad in the civilized world. One m i g h t n a t u r a l l y conclude t h a t the s y s t e m preferred b y such a firm, a f t e r years of fruitful e x p e r i e n c e - - t h e s y s t e m which t u r n s o u t two c o m p l e t e d locomotives a d a y - - o u g h t to h a v e superior m e r i t ; and if any d o u b t of this should r e m a i n in a n y one's mind, it should be fully dispersed b y the f u r t h e r a n n o u n c e m e n t t h a t the virtues of t h a t s a m e s y s t e m are b e i n g appreciated, and as far as possible i m i t a t e d b y corn-
Oct., x889.]
Mechanical Proyrrss, etc.
3or
petitive coneerns, whose capacity and business are being rapidly enlarged in consequence. Let us, then, take a swift glance through the said establishment, beginning with the drafting room, which is properly the starting place for our inspection. Here, in a welllighted, ample apartment, are a number of draftsmen, m a n y of them brought up in the service. These are under the supervision and direction of a superintendent, who originally decides upon the plan of each locomotive to be built, estimating its capabilities and requirements. Instructions and a specification are then given to a draftsman in charge, who carefully constructs on paper elevations and sections necessary to the complete locomotive. The detail drawings are then executed on stiff card-boards, or other materials suited to stand shop-wear, and after passing satisfactory inspection of the examiner of drawings, are given out, carefully numbered and registered, to the respective shops. No work can be done in any of the shops until this is done, thus manifesting the high importance which this successful establishment attaches to correct drawings as the starting point for all construction. In the shops, the m a n y details are each carefully w r o u g h t out, in strict conformity to the drawing, and, as completed, sent to the erecting shop, where, under competent foremen, the various parts are rapidly adjusted, each falling into its proper place, and in an incredibly short time the completed locomotive is breathed into by the breath of its steam-life, and starts upon its career, a giant of force and a m o n u m e n t of engineering skill. T i m e was when a complete preliminary drawing was hardly known in a machine shop. Then, men blundered, and blunders are always costly. Time will be soon, when a machine shop without its drawing room, its superintending engineer, will be but a lingering reminder of an experimental age before men had learned the true source of progress and wealth. Those that still cling, like the smith of old, to the methods of a by-gone age, are falling behind in the race, for while, in a sense, t h e y may be laboriously building up a
302
[J. F. I.,
Committee ."
small trade, others, t a k i n g a d v a n t a g e of the proven b e t t e r m e t h o d s for success, will be f o r g i n g a h e a d into enviable wealth. T h e former has been left behind, not because of inferior ability, in his line, b u t because he has lost time in t r y i n g h i m s e l f to do w h a t a n o t h e r could have b e t t e r done, at less expense to him. There is another and concluding thought that should give hope to every man in the mechanic world. As his craft grows into closer relationship with the great world of science about and above him, it will certainly lift him to a higher plane. Men are everywhere realizing, as never before, the everlasting truth of fixed principles and universal law governing all things. If a house falls, a bridge gives way, a dam bursts its confines, it is no longer an unaccountable event. Something was deficient. The capacity to detect the cause, the power to avert the evil by a scientific knowledge of the principles of construction is, of all knowledge, the most useful, while its possession, in proportion to its completeness, should raise its possessor to the first ranks among men.
CHAS.
A. TEAL'S
PORTABLE
HOIST.
[Report o f the Committee on Science and the Arts.]
[No. i4o2. ]
HALL OF THE FRANKLIN INSTITUTE, PHILADELPHIA, April, 1889. T h e Sub-Committee of the C o m m i t t e e on Science a n d t h e A r t s , c o n s t i t u t e d by the FRANKLIN INSTITUTE of the S t a t e of P e n n s y l v a n i a , to w h o m was referred t h e application of the Teal H o i s t C o m p a n y of Philadelphia, for an e x a m i n a t i o n and report upon the m e r i t s of AN IMPROVED CItAIN HOIST PATENTED BY CHAS. A. TEAL, OF PHILADELPHIA, APRIL 8, 1884, NO. 296,364, Report that : As will be seen b y a copy of the p a t e n t a n n e x e d and b y e x a m i n a t i o n of t h e hoist e x h i b i t e d : T h e hoist consists of a malleable-iron f r a m e s u s p e n d e d