Part 8 (1/2)

”My attention was first directed to the subject of steaines by the late Dr Robinson, then a student in the University of Glasgow, afterwards Professor of Natural Philosophy in the University of Edinburgh He, in 1759, threw out the idea of applying the power of the steaes, and to other purposes, but the sche abroad”

ERASMUS DARWIN

Born at Elton, Nottinghaland, Dece studied at St John's College, Cah, Darwin settled as a physician at Litchfield and gained a large practice In 1781 he moved to Derby He was a man of remarkable scientific attainments and a voluminous writer of poetry that was pervaded by enthusiasm and love of nature, but had little poetic quality

Darrote most of his poetry and evolved most of his ideas as he drove about the country in a doctor's covered sulky that was piled high with books and writing materials He was in correspondence with Benjaard to stea home yesterday I considered the scheer I contemplated this favorite idea, the hts before you, crude and undigested as they appeared to me, and by these hints youupon this subject, and by that enius, which, without hints, is above all others I am acquainted with) be more likely to approve or disapprove And as I am quite mad of the sches are required: (1) a rotaryits direction to any other direction; (3) to be accelerated, retarded, destroyed, revived, instantly and easily; (4) the bulk, the weight, the expense of the ht” Darwin gave sketches and suggested that the steae should have three or four wheels, and be driven by an engine having two cylinders open at the top, and the steam condensed in the bottom of the cylinder, on Newcomen's principle The steam was to be admitted into the cylinders by cocks worked by the person in charge of the steering wheel, the injection cock being actuated by the engine The ”fiery chariot” never went beyond this suggestion, however

RICHARD LOVELL EDGEWORTH

An English gentleman of fortune, and eworth was influenced by Dr Erasmus Darwin to take up the subject of steam locomotion In 1768, Dr Seworth and his experies by steaeworth patented a portable railway system and then spent nearly forty years on that one idea

When an old eworth wrote to Jaht that steam would become the universal lord, and that in time we should scorn the post horses” Dr Smiles says: ”Four years later he died, and left the proble ineffectually to solve, to be worked out by younger men”

FRANCIS MOORE

In 1769, Francis Moore, of London, a linen draper, invented a machine which he described as made of wood, iron, brass, copper, or other metals, and constructed upon peculiar principles, and capable of being wrought or put indrawn by horses or any other beast or cattle; and which ines, upon repeated trials, he has discovered would be very useful in agriculture, carriage of persons and goods, either in coaches, chariots, chaises, carts, wagons, or other conveyances, and likewise in navigation, by causing shi+ps, boats, barges, and other vessels to move, sail, or proceed, with more swiftness or despatch

It was said that, so confident was the inventor of the success of his machine, he sold all his own horses, and by his advicethat the price of that animal would be so affected by the invention, that it would not be again one-fourth of what it was then Moore e, and took out three patents for it Like ot into use

PLANTA

A Swiss arnot in the seventeenth century He was engaged upon the problenot conceived and executed his vehicle in 1769

General Gribeauval, to whoed Planta to pass upon it and to examine the new vehicle The Swiss officer found it in all respects so much better than his own that he so reported to the French Ministry of War and abandoned further endeavors on that line

J S KESTLER

In 1680 a description was published of a carriage designed by J S

Kestler This was merely a toy, set in motion by mercury in a tube heated by a candle

BLANCHARD

In connection with his partner, Masurier, Blanchard brought out in Paris, in 1779, a vehicle that was soe of Elie Richard It was very successful and attracted a great deal of attention

THOMAS CHARLES AUGUSTE DALLERY

Born at Amiens, France, September 4, 1754 Died at Jouy, near Versailles, in June, 1835

About 1780, Dallery made a steam vehicle with a inal invention of his own This vehicle was run in Amiens and in 1790 was seen on the streets of Paris In March, 1803, he secured a patent on the tubular boiler for use on his steae This vehicle was a boat-shaped wagon, driven by a steaine