Table of Contents

PAGE
THE STORY OF THE SUBMARINE[9]
Origin of Submarine Navigation, [9]. The American Types, [10]. Twentieth Century Submarines, [11]. Engine Power, [12]. The Periscope, [13]. Voyage of the “Deutschland,” [14]. Submarine Dredging, [15].
THE STORY OF THE PANAMA CANAL[17]
The United States to the Rescue, [17]. The Canal and the Navy, [20]. The Great Canal, [20]. The Hydroelectric Station, [20]. Gigantic Obstacles, [30]. Gatun Dam, [33]. Meeting all Emergencies, [33]. A Battle Won, [36].
What is a Geyser? [40]. What Kind of Dogs are Prairie-Dogs? [42]. What is Spontaneous Combustion? [42].
THE STORY IN THE TALKING MACHINE[43]
The Early Machines, [43]. Invention of the Spring Motor, [47]. Change from Cylinder to Disc, [47]. Making the Record, [49].
What are Petrified Forests? [49]. What Animals are the Best Architects? [51].
THE STORY OF THE MOTORCYCLE[52]
Austin’s Steam Velocipede, [52]. Motor-paced Racing, [55]. First Practical Machine, [54]. Modern Refinements, [57]. Side Cars and Commercial Bodies, [58].
How is the Weather Man Able to Predict Tomorrow’s Weather? [58]. How does a Siren Fog Horn Blow? [60].
THE STORY IN A WATCH[61]
The Standard of Time, [61]. Candles as Time-Keepers, [63]. Galileo’s Pendulum, [63]. Balance Wheel as a Pendulum, [65]. The Time Train, [65]. How a Watch Works, [67]. What Causes Variation in Watches, [71].
How does a Monorail Gyroscope Railway Operate? [72]. Why are Finger-prints used for Identification? [74].
THE STORY IN A RIFLE[75]
The Earliest Hunters, [75]. The Use of Slings, [77]. A Fortunate Accident; [77]. As to Arrows, [81]. A Shooting Machine, [81]. And Now for Chemistry, [81]. Playing with Fire, [83]. The Coming of the Matchlock, [83]. Caps and Breech-Loaders, [85]. From Henry VIII to Cartridges, [85]. The Beginning of Precision in Mechanics, [87]. Making Barrels, [92]. Taking off 21000 of an Inch, [92]. The Making of Ammunition Today, [94]. Handling Deadly Explosives, [96]. Extreme Precautions, [96].
How does an Artesian Well Keep up its Supply of Water? [96]. Where do Dates come from? [97].
THE STORY OF RUBBER[98]
How was Rubber First Used? [98]. What is a Rubber Camp Like? [100]. How is Rubber Gathered by the Natives? [103]. How is Rubber Smoked? [104]. How was Vulcanizing Discovered? [105]. How did Rubber Growing Spread to Other Places? [108]. How is Rubber Cured on Modern Plantations? [110]. How is Crude Rubber Received Here? [112]. How is Rubber Prepared for Use? [112]. How are Rubber Shoes Made? [116]. How are Automobile Tires Made? [119].
How did the Expression “Before you can say Jack Robinson” Originate? [119]. What is an AerialRailway Like? [119]. Why are they called Newspapers? [121]. How did the Cooking of Food Originate? [121]. How Far away is the Sky-Line? [121].
THE STORY OF ROPE[122]
Civilized Rope Makers, [122]. Hand Spinning, [124]. Machine-made Ropes, [128]. American Hemp, [128]. Manila and Sisal Fibers, [130]. Wire Ropes, [132]. Pine Tar for Ropes, [134]. Why does Rope Cling Together? [136]. What is Rope Used for? [136].
How did the Expression “A-1” Originate? [136]. How has Man Helped Nature give us Apples? [136]. What kind of a Crab Climbs Trees? [138]. How are Files Made? [138].
THE STORY OF SELF-LOADING PISTOLS[139]
Colt Pistols, [139]. Machine Guns, [145].
How does the Poisonous Tarantula Live? [146]. How do the Indians Live Now? [146]. How does the Beach get its Sand? [149]. How did Nodding the Head Up and Down Come to Mean “Yes”? [149]. Why do We Call a Man “a Benedict” When He Marries? [149].
THE STORY IN FIRECRACKERS AND SKY-ROCKETS[150]
The Need for Noisemakers, [150]. Chinese Firecrackers, [150]. Popular ever since the Invention of Gunpowder, [154]. Beautiful Displays, [158].
What makes a Chimney Smoke? [158]. What are Dry Docks Like? [161]. Why does a Lightning Bug Light Her Light? [161].
THE STORY IN THE MAKING OF A PICTURE[162]
The Image is Upsidedown, [162]. Effect of Light on the Film, [163]. Early Photographic Efforts, [164]. Modern Photography, [168].
How Deep is the Deepest Part of the Ocean? [169]. Why do We say “Get the Sack”? [169]. Why do We call them X-Rays? [169]. How did the Term “Yankee” Originate? [171]. Why do We say “Kick the Bucket”? [171]. When does a Tortoise move Quickly? [171].
THE STORY IN A NEWSPAPER[172]
Gutenberg’s Press in 1450, [172]. Cylinder Presses, [173]. Curved Plates, [175]. Printing, Folding and Counting 216,000 Papers an Hour, [175]. Color Printing, [180].
What do We Mean by the “Flying Dutchman”? [180]. Why does a Duck’s Back Shed Water? [180]. Why doesn’t the Sky ever Fall Down? [180]. How are Sand-Dunes Formed? [180]. What do We Mean by an Eclipse? [181]. What are Dreams? [182]. What makes Our Teeth Chatter? [182].
THE STORY IN A HONEY COMB[183]
Sixty Thousand Bees in a Hive, [183]. Modern Bee-Keeping, [187]. Profitable Anywhere, [193].
Where do Figs Come from? [199]. What are Fighting Fish? [199]. How is the Exact Color of the Sky Determined? [199]. What is a Divining Rod? [199].
THE STORY OF ELECTRICITY IN THE HOME[200]
A Modern Aladdin’s Lamp, [200]. Electric Hot Irons the First Appliances, [201]. How They are Made, [202]. Electric Cooking Appliances, [205]. Electric Toaster, [206]. Electric Coffee Percolator, [206]. Baking and Roasting, [210]. Vacuum Cleaners, [212].
Why is there Always a Soft Spot in a Cocoanut Shell? [214]. How does a Gasoline Motor Run an Electric Street Car? [214]. How do Carrier Pigeons Carry Messages? [216]. What Family has Over 9,000,000 Members? [216].
THE STORY IN THE TELEPHONE[217]
Invention, [217]. Essential Factor in American Life, [218]. America Leads in Telephone Growth, [220]. American Telephone Practice Superior, [222]. The First Transcontinental Line, [225]. Wireless Speech Transmission, [226]. The Mobilization of Communication, [228].
Why do they Call Them “Fiddler-Crabs”? [229]. How Far can a Powerful Searchlight Send its Rays? [229]. What Started the Habit of Touching Glasses Before Drinking? [231]. Why are Windows Broken by Explosions? [231]. What does the Expression “Showing the White Feather” come from? [231].
THE STORY IN ELEVATORS AND ESCALATORS[232]
From Novelty to Necessity, [232]. The Escalator, [235]. The Cleat Escalator, [239]. The MovingPlatform, [239].
What Happens when Animals Hibernate? [241]. How do Peanuts get in the Ground? [241]. How did Your State get its Name? [243].
THE STORY OF COAL MINING[244]
The World Depends on Coal, [244]. Dangers of Mining, [244]. How Coal Grew, [247]. The Vast Quantities Produced, [253].
How can We Hear through the Walls of a Room? [251]. What is a Diesel Engine Like? [252]. What does the Sheep-grower get for the Wool in a Suit of Clothes? [252].
THE STORY IN A SILVER TEASPOON[253]
The Spoon is Older than History, [253]. Development of Various Shapes, [254]. Plating Re-Discovered, [256]. Electro-plating, [257]. Stages in Manufacture, [258]. Evolution of a Knife, [259].
How do Chimes Strike the Hour? [260]. How is Electricity Brought into a House? [262]. What was the Origin of Masonic Signs? [262]. What is a Dictograph? [262].
STORY OF THE WIRELESS TELEGRAPH[263]
Stretching a Dog, [263]. Marconi’s Method, [263]. Tuning the Instruments, [264]. Interferences, [265].
What is Forestry Work? [267]. How did the Fashion of Wearing Cravats Commence? [270]. How does the Gas Meter Measure Your Gas? [270]. What is a Game Preserve? [270].
THE STORY OF THE BUILDING OF A SILO[271]
What is a Silo? [271]. The First Silo, [271]. What is put in a Silo? [271]. Elements of Success or Failure, [271].
THE STORY OF THE ADVANCE OF ELECTRICITY[273]
The First Commercial Central Station, [273]. Edison and the Electric Light, [273]. Electricity a Living Factor, [279]. In the Printing Trade, [279]. Construction, [279]. Loft Manufacturing, [281]. Electric Heating, [281]. Electricity and Safety, [281]. Electricity in Medicine, [281]. Electric Vehicles, [282]. Electricity and the Home, [282]. Decreased Cost of Electricity, [285].
How is Die-Sinking Done? [285].
THE STORY IN THE MAKING OF A MAGAZINE[286]
Printing in Millions, [286]. Color Printing, [289].
How Did the Ringing of Curfew Originate? [289].
THE STORY OF AMERICA’S FIRST HORSELESS CARRIAGE[290]
The Problems of Weight and Vibration, [290]. The First Demonstration, [290].
THE STORY IN A SAUSAGE[292]
The First “Roast Pig,” [292]. Smoking Ham, [292]. Salt Pork, [293]. The Era of Refrigeration, [295]. An Up-to-date Packing Plant, [295]. Dressing Meat, [298]. By-Products, [298].
Why do We call them “Dog Days?” [301]. How is a Five Dollar Gold Piece Made? [303]. How does a Bird Fly? [303].
THE STORY OF THE BIG REDWOOD TREES[304]
Long Life of the Great Trees, [304]. Valuable Qualities of the Redwood, [304]. Fire Retardance, [306].Magnificent Tones for Decoration, [306].
How did the Expression “Forlorn Hope” Originate? [306]. Why is “Wall Street” known Around the World? [308]. What makes a Stick Seem To Bend in Water? [308]. What causes a Lump in a Person’s Throat? [308]. How are We Able to Hear through Speaking Tubes? [308]. Why do We Always Shake Hands with our Right Hand? [308].
THE STORY IN A BILLIARD TABLE[309]
An Ancient Game, [309]. Modern Manufacture, [311]. The Cue is a work of Art, [314]. The FinestIvory for Balls, [314].
What is the Hottest Place in the United States? [315]. What are White Blackberries Like? [317]. Why do They Have a Dog-Watch on Shipboard? [317]. How Much Gold has a 14-Carat Ring? [317]. What is an Electro Magnet? [317].
THE STORY IN A PIN[318]
Once a Luxury of the Wealthy, [318]. Formerly made in Parts, [319]. Making 25,000,000 Pins a Year, [321].
How are Glaciers Formed? [324]. How Large are Molecules? [324].
PICTORIAL STORY OF THE FISHING INDUSTRY[325]
Episodes in the Game, [325]. Modern Fishing Vessels, [326]. The Trawl, [327]. Drawing the Net, [328]. Fish Curing, [329]. Preparing for Market, [330].
THE STORY IN A BOX OF CALIFORNIA ORANGES[331]
Picked with Gloves, [331]. Grading, [331]. Shipped in Refrigerators, [333].
What Kind of Steel Knives do not Stain or Rust? [333]. Why is it Necessary to Keep Quiet when Fishing? [333]. First Apartment Houses in this Country, [336]. Why do we Call 32° above Zero Freezing? [336]. How is Fresco Painting Done? [336].
THE STORY OF A PIECE OF CHEWING GUM[337]
Juice of the Chicle Tree, [337]. Treatment in the Factory, [342].
Where did the Ferris Wheel get its Name? [342]. What is Done to Keep Railroad Rails from Breaking? [342]. How does a “Master Clock” Control others by Electricity? [342].
THE STORY OF THE CALCULATING MACHINE[345]
How did Men Learn to Count? [345]. The First Adding Machine, [345]. The Slide Rule Principle, [348]. The “Difference Engine,” [348]. Present-Day Models, [349]. The Largest Adding Machine, [354]. How are Adding Machines Used? [355].
Where does Ermine Come from? [356]. What is the Principle of “Foreign Exchange?” [356]. What do We Mean by “The Old Moon in the New Moon’s Arms”? [356].
THE STORY IN A BOWLING ALLEY[357]
Bowling Green, New York City, [357]. How the Alley is Built, [358]. Composition Balls, [361].
How are Artificial Precious Stones Made? [361]. What is a Mexican Bull-Fight Like? [363]. What is the Difference between “Alternating” and “Direct” Current? [363]. What was the “Court of Love”? [363].
THE STORY OF THE ADDRESSOGRAPH[364]
Birth of Mechanical Addressing, [364]. The First Addressograph, [364]. Greater Speed, [366]. A Card Index that Addresses Itself, [367].
What is Dry Farming? [372]. What is a Drying Machine Like? [372]. How does the New York Stock Exchange Operate? [374]. How did the term “Cowboys” Originate? [374].
THE STORY IN A CHEMICAL FIRE EXTINGUISHER[375]
Smothering Fire with a Gas Blanket, [375]. The Soda and Acid Extinguisher, [376].
How is Gold Leaf Made? [377]. What is the Natural Color of Goldfish? [377]. When was “Liquid Fire” first used in Warfare? [377]. How did the Greyhound get his Name? [377]. Why is It Called “Battery Park”? [379]. How do we Know that the Earth is Round? [379]. What were “Ducking Stools?” [379].
THE STORY IN PHOTO-ENGRAVING[380]
Pictures are the Universal Language, [380]. What a Halftone is, [380]. Line Engravings, [381]. Color Engraving, [382].
Where are Milk-Pails Filled from Trees? [383]. How did the Wearing of a Crown Originate? [384]. Why do Lobsters change Color? [384]. How do Fishes Swim? [384]. Where do Pearls Come from? [385]. What is Cork? [385].
THE STORY IN A GIANT CANNON[386]
Origin of the Cannon, [386]. Modern Cannon, [392]. How Cannon are Now Made, [393]. Built-Up and Wire-Wound Guns, [394]. Feats of Modern Guns, [406].
What is a Deep-Sea Diver’s Dress Like? [411]. Why do We Smile when We are Pleased? [412]. Why do Some of Us have Freckles? [412].
PICTORIAL STORY OF THE STEEL INDUSTRY[413]
Mining Ore, [413]. Open-Hearth Furnaces, [416]. Blast Furnaces, [417]. A 15,000 Ton Forge, [418]. Oil-Tempering, [420]. Bending Armor Plate, [422]. Largest Steel Casting in the World, [424]. Casting Steel, [431]. Rolling Rails, [432].
What do We Mean by “Deviation of the Compass?” [435].
THE STORY IN THE MAKING OF A PAIR OF SHOES[436]
Shoemaking by Machine, [436]. Cross-Section of a Shoe, [437]. Lasting Machine, [440]. Details of the Process, [442]. Evolution of a Shoe, [447].
What is Standard Gold? [448]. What are Cyclones? [450]. What Metals can be Drawn into Wire Best? [450]. How are Cocoanuts Used to Help our Warships? [450]. How did the Dollar Sign Originate? [450].
PICTORIAL STORY OF FIRE APPARATUS[451]
Aerial Truck, [451]. Motor Fire Engine, [451]. Old-time Apparatus, [452]. Chemical Engine, [455].
STORY OF THE TAKING OF FOOD FROM THE AIR[458]
Nitrogen and Oxygen in the Air, [458]. Fixation of Nitrogen, [459]. Liquid Air, [460]. Fertilizer, [461]. Ammonia, [466].
What is a Drawbridge Like Today? [466].
THE STORY OF A DEEP-SEA MONSTER[468]
A Thirty-nine Hour Battle, [468]. Five Harpoons and 151 Bullets needed, [468]. An Unknown Leviathan, [470].
What is an Armored Railway Car Like? [470]. What is an Electric Eel? [472].
THE STORY OF SALT[473]
Natural Salt, [473]. The Polish Mines, [474]. Refining, [476].
Why do We Call it “Denatured Alcohol”? [478]. What is the Difference between a Cruiser and a Battleship? [478].
THE STORY OF THE GROWTH OF THE MOTOR TRUCK[481]
Practically Developed since 1905, [481]. Cheaper Transportation, [489].
What is a Diving Bell? [489]. How are Harbors Dredged Out? [491]. How is a Razor Blade Made? [491].
THE STORY OF THE TUNNELS UNDER THE HUDSON RIVER[492]
Bold Engineering, [492]. 40,000 Men, [492]. How the Tunneling Shield Works, [494]. Air Pressure, [496]. Extraordinary Adventures under the River, [501].
What Causes Floating Islands? [504].
PICTORIAL STORY OF THE AIRSHIP[505]
Well-known Aviators, [505]. Military Monoplane, [506]. NC-4, First Plane to Cross the Atlantic, [507]. Vickers-Vimy, First Flier to make Non-Stop Atlantic Flight, [508]. Chart of Transatlantic Fliers, [509]. The Wright Brothers, [510]. British Transatlantic Dirigible, R-34, [511]. Examples of Military Uses, [512].
THE STORY OF AN AUTOMOBILE FACTORY[518]
A half-million Cars a year, [518]. Overhead Cranes Cut Costs, [520]. Safety First, [521]. One thingat a Time, [524]. Quick Assembling, [526]. The Body Chute, [530]. Motion Picture Advertising, [537].
How do Big Buildings get their Granite? [539].
RAILROAD SCENES FROM SHOP AND ROAD[541]
All Steel Train, [541]. Electric Train, [542]. Train of 120 Cars, [543]. An Observation Car, [544]. Electric Baggage Truck, [545]. Terminal Stations, [546]. Paint Drying Oven, [547]. Locomotive Building, [548]. Types of Locomotives, [550].
THE STORY OF AN UP-TO-DATE FARM[556]
Luxuries of Farm Life, [556]. Plenty of Food, [557]. Reaping Hook, [558]. The Cradle, [559]. Early Attempts to Harvest with Machines, [561]. The First Successful Reaper, [563]. Development of the Reaper, [564]. The Self-Binder, [568]. The Twine Binder, [570]. Other Machines Follow, [574].
What Causes an Echo? [574].
THE STORY OF THE MOTION-PICTURE PROJECTING MACHINE[575]
Spectacular Rise of Motion Pictures, [575]. How the Projector Operates, [578]. Varied Uses of the Pictures, [579].
THE STORY OF LEATHER[580]
Tanning, [580]. Oiling, [582]. Finishing Coats, [583]. Currying, [583].
What is a “Glass Snake?” [583].
THE STORY IN DIAMOND-CUTTING[584]
Where Diamonds Come from, [584]. Famous Diamonds, [585]. Methods of Cutting, [585]. Defects in Diamonds, [586]. Brilliancy, [587].
Why do We get Hungry? [588].
THE STORY IN THE MODERN LIFTING MAGNET[589]
What a Magnet is, [589]. How an Electric Magnet Works, [590]. Will Lift 30 Tons, [592].
Why is the Thistle the Emblem of Scotland? [593]. How are Animals Identified on Cattle Ranges? [594]. How is Glue Made? [594]. Why does a Hot Dish Crack if we put Ice Cream in It? [594].
ALPHABETICAL INDEX OF TITLES AND SUBJECTS[595]
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS[607]

The Story of the Submarine[1]