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 2⁄1000 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]

Origin of Submarine Navigation.

The history of invention has no chapter more interesting than that of sailing under the ocean’s waves. The navigation of the air approaches it in character, but does not present the vital problems of undersea travel. Both these new fields of navigation have been notably developed within recent years, largely as a result of the great European war. It is the story of sailing in the depths beneath the ocean’s surface with which we here propose to deal. The problem was settled easily enough for his purpose by Jules Verne, in his “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.” But that was pure fiction without scientific value. It is with fact, not fiction, that we are here concerned.

A Submarine About to Submerge

The story takes us back three hundred years, to the reign of James I, of England, when a crude submarine boat was built, to be moved by oars, but one of no value other than as a curiosity. At a later date a man named Day built a similar boat, wagering that he would go down one hundred yards and remain there twenty-four hours. So far as is known, he still remains there, winning the wager which he has not come up to claim.

Other such boats were constructed at intervals, but the first undersea boat of any historical importance was the “American Turtle,” built by a Yankee named David Bushnell during the time that the British held New York in the Revolutionary War. He sought to blow up the British frigate “Eagle” with the aid of a torpedo and nearly succeeded in doing so, seriously scaring the British shippers by the explosion of his torpedo.