The Height of the Letters is Gauged by a Guide Wire
To assist my father in writing, notwithstanding his blindness, I made the machine shown in the illustration. It has been in use two years, and proved thoroughly practical. It consists of a board, ¹⁄₂ by 11 by 13³⁄₄ in., on which the paper is held by a clip. Two stops, A, insure a good alinement of the sheet. A T-square, B, slides in a groove at the left side; the upper edge is beveled. At a distance of ³⁄₄ in. from this edge is stretched a brass guide wire, C, by means of which the height of the script is gauged. The wire is supported on brass strips, D. When the line is written, a pin, E, set in one of a row of holes in the groove F, is raised, the T-square moved, and the pin inserted in the next hole below, giving the correct spacing. As the wire does not touch the paper, either ink or pencil can be used. The board consists of four pieces, glued, and fastened with screws, as detailed.—Arthur E. Tremaine, Brookline, Mass.
Making Cardboard Tubes for Electrical Coils
It is often difficult to obtain cardboard tubes as foundations for coils of special sizes, and the following is a practical method for making them as desired: Cut a strip of cardboard somewhat wider than the length of the tube desired and about 2 ft. long. Soak the cardboard in water until it is quite pliable. Wrap it tightly around a wooden rod of suitable size, gluing or shellacking each successive layer. When the desired thickness has been obtained, bind the tube with string, and place the whole in a moderately warm oven to dry. The tube may then be cut to length.—Alexander V. Bollerer, New Britain, Conn.
An Army in a Small Box
By Reason of the Mirrors, a Few Soldiers Appear as an Army
A play device that will afford much amusement and which is interesting for boys to make is that shown in the sketch. To make the peephole cabinet, obtain a box of suitable size; fasten a piece of looking-glass inside, at each end. Make a peephole at one end of the box, and rub the silvering from the back of the looking-glass at the hole. Place a few metal soldiers, horses, etc., along the sides of the box 1 or 2 in. apart, one being set to hide the reflection of the hole. By looking through the hole an endless army may be seen. Light is provided through the skylight at the top, which is fitted with ground glass or tissue paper. This device perplexes most persons who are not familiar with its construction.—James E. Noble, Portsmouth, Canada.