INVENTION AND DISCOVERY.
Recording Thermometer.—This is a very interesting little machine, especially so at this time of year when the temperature is a constant subject for thought.
It is a recording thermometer, and consists of a thermometer and a recording disk. By means of cleverly arranged mechanism the rise and fall of the mercury is used as the motor power, and registers the changes in temperature on an indicator card. Other simple mechanism works a rotary drum by which this indicator card is carried.
Pencil Sharpener.—This is another helpful little contrivance, a pencil sharpener. There are already numberless things of the kind, some of which answer for a time, some not at all, and all being made for the purpose of sharpening the pencil to a kind of regulation point. For my own part I have always preferred a good sharp knife, or the simple reason that I could then make exactly the kind of point suited to the work to be done. The purpose of the new pencil sharpener is evidently the same. This contrivance is a small and handy block for holding the pencil in position for the knife, and has a cutting guide which will be a joy to people who are awkward in using the knife.
Colored Photography.—The State Department has received a specimen from Paris of Mr. Villedieu Chassaigne's work in colored photography.
The claim made by Mr. Chassaigne is that he can photograph objects in their exact colors.
The coloring process is applied after the picture has been developed and the print made.
A colorless liquid is then applied to the print, and after that it is washed again in blue, green, and red liquids. After each application the print is wiped dry. The various parts of the picture choose their original colors, and the result is an exact representation of the object photographed.
Several pictures have been brought over by Mr. Anthony, of New York. Among them were several portraits in which the flesh tints and the colors of the clothing were beautifully rendered. A view of the Jardin d'Acclimatation in Paris showed a group of storks, the red coloring of their legs and beaks being distinctly visible.
The liquids which produce these results are to be put on the market on July 1st.
It is but fair to say that there are some doubts as to the success of this process.
A Chassaigne photograph was sent to the State Department, which persons who have seen it claim is a very crude affair, and cannot be pronounced a success, as it only resembles a very poorly tinted photograph.
These persons declare that the Chassaigne photographs are not nearly as fine as those of Kurz, of New York. These latter are obtained by making three negatives of a subject—one which photographs only the yellows, one the reds, and the third the blues in a picture.
By carefully printing the three negatives, one on the top of the other, excellent colored pictures can be produced.
Kitchen Cabinet.—A new cabinet for the kitchen has been designed which is a very handy thing for use.
It is arranged to contain all the sugars and spices and various nice things that are required in cooking.
On one side is a large receptacle for coffee, with a mill fixed half-way down, so the coffee is not only stored, but is always ready for grinding.
On the other side is another bin for flour, which is provided with a sifter.
By turning a handle the flour falls to the drawer at the bottom, sifted and ready for use.
There are handy drawers for sugars and tea, and at the bottom a large place for bread.
A clock is fixed into the top of the cabinet, and completes the very useful little case.
G.H.R.