III. Inventors

Chapter XIII.

Robert Fulton.

Trinity churchyard—The Livingston vault—An interesting place—Fulton's tomb—Birth of Robert Fulton—Boyhood—Early mechanical skill—Robert astonishes his tutor—Robert's fireworks—"Nothing is impossible"—"Quicksilver Bob"—The fishing excursion—The first paddle-wheel boat—Fulton's success as an artist—His gift to his mother—His removal to England—Intimacy with Benjamin West—Goes to Devonshire—Acquaintance with the Duke of Bridgewater—His interest in canal navigation—His first inventions—Goes to Paris—Residence with Mr. Barlow—Studies in engineering—Invents the diving boat—The infernal machine—His patriotic reply to the British ministry—His marriage—Returns to America—The General Government declines to purchase his torpedo—Brief history of the first experiments in steam navigation—Fulton's connection with Livingston—The trial boat on the Seine—Determines to build a boat on the Hudson—Fulton and Livingston are given the sole right to navigate the waters of New York by steam—Popular ridicule—Disbelief of scientific men—Launch of the "Clermont"—The trial trip—The first voyage up the Hudson—Fulton's triumph—Scenes along the river—Efforts to sink the steamer—Establishment of steam navigation on the Hudson River—The first New York ferry-boats—The floating docks—Boats for the West—New York threatened by the British fleet in 1814—Fulton's plan for a steam frigate—The "Fulton the First"—The steamboat war—Illness of Fulton—His death and burial—His last will—True character of his invention.

Chapter XIV.

Charles Goodyear.

Discovery of India-rubber—Mode of collecting it—Preparation and use by the natives—Its introduction into the United States—Mr. E.M. Chaffee's process—The India-rubber fever—Brief success of the India-rubber companies—Their sudden failure—Visit of Mr. Goodyear to New York—He invents an improvement in the life preserver—Early history of Charles Goodyear—His failure as a merchant—Offers his invention to the Roxbury Company—The agent's disclosures—Mr. Goodyear finds his mission—His first efforts—A failure—Discouraging state of his affairs—Renews his efforts—Experiments in India-rubber—Coldness of his friends—His courage and perseverance—Goes to New York—Accidental discovery of the aqua fortis process—Partial success—Ruined—Life on Staten Island—Removes to Boston—Delusive prosperity—The mail bag contract—His friends urge him to abandon his efforts—He refuses—On the verge of success—Discovers the usefulness of sulphur—The inventor's hope—The revelation—Discovers the secret of vulcanization—Down in the depths—Kept back by poverty—A beggar—A test of his honesty—Starvation at hand—The timely loan—Removal to New York—Difficulties in the way—Death of his youngest child—Finds friends in New York—His experiments in vulcanization—Final success—His heart in his work—Fails to secure patents in Europe—His losses from dishonest rivals—Declaration of the Commissioner of Patents—Death of Mr. Goodyear—Congress refuses to extend his patent—His true reward.

Chapter XV.

Eli Whitney.

The home of General Greene in Georgia—The soldier's widow—An arrival from New England—The young schoolmaster—A mechanical genius—Early history of Whitney—Mrs. Greene's invitation—Visit of the planters—State of the cotton culture in 1792—A despondent planter—Mrs. Greene advises them to try Whitney—Origin of the cotton gin—Whitney's first efforts—His workshop—The secret labors—How he provided himself with materials—Finds a partner—Betrayal of his secret—He is robbed of his model—He recovers it and completes it—The first cotton gin—Statement of the revolution produced by the invention in the cotton culture of the South—Opinion of Judge Johnson—The story of an inventor's wrongs—Whitney is cheated and robbed of his rights—The worthlessness of a patent—A long and disheartening struggle—Honorable action of North Carolina—Congress refuses to extend the patent—Whitney abandons the cotton gin—Engages in the manufacture of firearms—His improvements in them—Establishes an armory in Connecticut, and makes a fortune—Death.

Chapter XVI.

Chauncey Jerome.

The old-fashioned clocks—Their expensiveness—Condition of the clock trade of Connecticut sixty years ago—Early history of Chauncey Jerome—A hard life—Death of his father—Becomes a farmer's boy—Is anxious to become a clock-maker—An over-wise guardian—Hardships of an apprentice—How Jerome became a carpenter—Hires his winters from his master—Becomes a dial-maker—The clock-making expedition—Jerome's first savings—Takes a wife—A master carpenter—Poor pay and hard work—Buys a house—A dull winter—Enters Mr. Terry's factory—The wooden clock business—Sets up in business for himself—Industry and energy rewarded—His first order—Sends his clocks South—Enlarges his business—Improvements in his clocks—Losses on southern shipments from dampness—Depression of business—Jerome's anxiety—A wakeful night—Invention of the brass—A new era in the clock trade—Beneficial effects of Jerome's invention—Magnitude of the Connecticut clock trade at present—Growth of Jerome's business—Makes a fortune—Organization of the "Jerome Clock-making Company"—Practical withdrawal of Mr. Jerome—Difficulties of the company—Jerome a ruined man—Honest independence—Finds employment—Becomes the manager of the Chicago Company.

Chapter XVII.

Elias Howe, Jr.

The first sewing-machine—Birth of Elias Howe—A poor man's son—Raised to hard work—His first employment—The little mill-boy—Delicate health—Goes to Lowell to seek his fortune—Thrown out of employment—Removes to Cambridge—Works in a machine shop with N.P. Banks—Marries—A rash step—Growing troubles—A hard lot—Conceives the idea of a sewing-machine—His first experiments unsuccessful—Invents the lock stitch and perfects the sewing-machine—Hindered by his poverty—A hard struggle—Finds a partner—His winter's task—His attic work-shop—Completion of the model—Perfection of Howe's invention—Efforts to dispose of the invention—Disappointed hopes—Popular incredulity—Becomes an engine driver—Amasa Howe goes to England with the sewing-machine—Bargain with the London merchant—Elias removes to London—Loses his situation—The rigors of poverty—Returns to America—Death of his wife—Fate's last blow—The sewing-machine becomes better known—Adoption by the public—A tardy recognition—Elias Howe sets up in business for himself—Buys out his partner's interest—The sewing-machine war—Rapid growth of the sewing-machine interest—Earnings of the inventor—A royal income—Honors conferred upon him—Enlists in the United States Army—A liberal private—Last illness and death.

Chapter XVIII.

Richard M. Hoe.

Growth of the art of printing—Birth of Richard M. Hoe—Sketch of the career of Robert Hoe—He comes to America—His marriage—Founds the house of "Robert Hoe & Co."—The first steam printing presses—He retires from business—Richard M. Hoe is brought up in the business—The mechanical genius of the house—The new firm—Richard Hoe's first invention—Obtains a patent for it—Visits England—Invents the double-cylinder press—Demand for increased facilities for printing—Mr. Hoe's experiments with his press—His failures—How the "Lightning Press" was invented—A good night's work—Patents his invention—The first "Lightning Press"—Demand for it—Rapid growth of the business of the firm—Statement of the operations of the house—Personal characteristics of Richard M. Hoe—The "Lightning Press" at work.

Chapter XIX.

Samuel Colt.

Birth and parentage—A restless boy—Dislikes school—Early fondness for mechanical inventions—Is sent to boarding-school—Runs away to sea—The story of a boy's invention, and what came of it—Origin of the revolver—Returns home—His chemical studies—Dr. Coult—The lecturing tour—His success—Completes his design for the revolver—Patents his invention—Visits England—Discovery at the Tower of London—Returns home—Formation of the "Patent Arms Company"—Objections of the officers of the army and navy to the revolver—The Florida War—It is decided by the revolver—Triumph of Col. Colt—Cessation of the demand for arms—Failure of the company—Beginning of the Mexican War—Action of General Taylor—No revolvers to be had—A strange dilemma for an inventor—The new model—Contracts with the Government—Success of the revolver in Mexico—The demand from the frontier—Emigration to California and Australia—Permanent establishment of Col. Colt's business—The improved weapon—Builds a new armory—Description of his works at Hartford—A liberal employer—Other inventions of Col. Colt—His submarine telegraph—His fortune—His marriage—Visits to Europe—Attentions from European dignitaries—Witnesses the coronation of the Emperor of Russia—His last illness and death.

Chapter XX.

Samuel F.B. Morse.

Birth—Parentage—Early education—Graduates at Yale College—Becomes an artist—His masters—Visits England—His first attempt—"The Dying Hercules"—Opinion of Benjamin West—Wins the medal of the Adelphi Society of Arts—Ambition as an artist—His cold reception by the Americans—Mr. Tuckerman's comments—Organizes the National Academy of Design—Visits Europe the second time—The homeward voyage in the "Sully"—News of the experiments at Paris with the electro-magnet—How the electric telegraph was invented—Morse is made a professor in the University of New York—Completion of his model—An imperfect telegraph—His first experiments—The duplicate finished—First exhibition of the telegraph—Morse applies for a patent—Visits Europe to introduce his invention—His failure—Seeks aid from Congress—A disheartening effort—A long struggle—Independence of Morse—Despondent at last—A sudden lifting of the cloud—The experimental line—The trial—A curious Cabinet Minister—Success of the telegraph—Establishment of companies in the United States—Professor Morse wins fame and fortune—The telegraph in Europe—Honors at home and abroad—A list of his rewards—Morse originates submarine telegraphy, and predicts the laying of an Atlantic telegraph—Personal characteristics.