Locomotive Engine Running and Management

by Angus Sinclair

DISTINCT CLASSES OF INVENTIONS.

Inventions may be divided into two distinct classes. Far the more numerous class are those which effect improvements on recognized appliances. The other is the rare and more valuable class, to which belongs the original inventor who devises an entirely new method for performing a desired operation. Among this class of inventions may be noted Watt’s separate condenser, which first rendered the steam engine a commercial success; the multitubular boiler of Nathan Read, which made a high-speed locomotive practicable; and the air-brake of Westinghouse, which made fast traveling safe, by putting the train speed under the control of the engineer.