Inventors & Inventions

[BY HENRY ROBINSON ENGINEER AND INVENTOR]	5
[A. G. ARNOLD, Esq.]	7
[THE SUCCESSFUL INVENTOR THE UNSUCCESSFUL INVENTOR]	12
[THE STEPS BY WHICH HE IS REQUIRED TO CLIMB AND MOUNT That DESIRED EMINENCE]	14
[ INVENTORS SELDOM HAVE ANYTHING OUTSIDE OF THEIR ASPIRATIONS AND PROSPECTS.]	16
[FINANCE MINISTERS]	17
[VISION SUFFICIENTLY PENETRATING TO DETECT THE NIGGER IN THE WOODPILE.]	21
["NO ONE POOR ENOUGH TO DO HIS INVENTION REVERENCE."]	21
["A BIRD IN THE HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH."]	27
[THE GOOD WILL AND WELL WISHES OF THOSE WHO HELPED CREATE IT.]	29
[ NUMEROUS AND DEEP ARE THE PITFALLS THAT THE WOULD-BE-SUCCESSFUL INVENTOR MUST AVOID.]	31
[ VICTIMS CONSTANTLY THROWN UP BY THE WAVES OF PASSION AND FOLLY, ON THE STERILE SHORE OF HUMAN INDIFFERENCE.]	35
[SHORT AND EASY CUT TO OPULENCE AND EASE.]	35
[ WHO CAN FATHOM OR SET A LIMIT TO THE INGENUITY OF THAT DIVINE CREATION, THE HUMAN BRAIN? NONE BUT ITS CREATOR.]	37
[ OUR ORDINARY EVERYDAY MECHANICAL UTILITIES WOULD BE CONSIDERED MAGIC BY HIM WHO WROTE—"THERE'S NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN."]	37
[NEWTON.]	57
[HERSCHEL.]	57
[S. F. B. MORSE.]	57
[ROBERT FULTON, INVENTOR OF THE STEAMBOAT.]	57
[BENJ. FRANKLIN.]	57
[ELIAS HOWE.]	57
[JAS. WATT.]	57
[LORD KELVIN.]	57
[THOS. A. EDISON.]	57
[SIG. MARCONI.]	57
[SIR H. BESSEMER.]	57
[C. H. MC CORMICK.]	57
[PROFESSOR HUXLEY.]	57
[HUMBOLDT.]	57
[CHAS. DARWIN.]	57
[SEYMOUR M. BONSALL.]	57
[AN INTELLIGENT AND PRUDENT INVENTOR WILL CAREFULLY NOTE HIS OWN CAPACITY.]	61
[ OBSERVE EVERYTHING CAREFULLY. TRY TO REMEMBER EVERYTHING YOU SEE. REASON LOGICALLY. DO NOT OVERLOOK DETAILS.]	63
[Don't Imagine Yourself a Solomon.]	63
[ "THE EAGLE AND THE JACKDAW." DON'T BITE OFF MORE THAN YOU CAN SWALLOW.]	63
[DON'T SET YOURSELF A QUIXOTIC TASK.]	63
[DON'T GO ABOUT WITH A FACE AS SOLEMN AND ANXIOUS AS THOUGH YOU WERE ATLAS.]	63
[SHE WANTS TO BE SHOWN.]	63
[SHE WILL NOT BE SLOW IN HANDING YOU UP THE SUGAR LUMPS.]	63
[TO CAST ASIDE WHEN YOU BECOME SUCCESSFUL THE SHARER OF YOUR EARLY POVERTY AND STRUGGLES.]	63
[YOU WILL BE GREATER BY NOT FOLLOWING ANYBODY'S EXAMPLE IN THAT RESPECT.]	63
[ONLY A TEMPERATE ABSTEMIOUS REGIME OF LIFE CAN GIVE THE HEALTHY BRAIN.]	63
[DONT FORGET THE PEOPLE YOU KNEW.]	63
[THE SWIPEING MFG CO HAVE STOLEN MY INVENTION.]	80
[WE MUST HAVE 1000 DOLLARS AS A RETAINING FEE.]	80
[DEFENDED IN COURT * * * * ON TECHNICALITIES.]	80
[ THE EXPLOITERS OF HIS INVENTION CAN ENJOY THEIR ILL-GOTTEN GAINS WITH IMPUNITY.]	80
[WHY, OH WHY, IS THE STEALING OF ONE KIND OF PROPERTY A CRIMINAL OFFENSE, ANOTHER ONLY A CIVIL TORT?]	85
[BUT IS IT DIFFERENT OH! NOW! IF THE STOLEN PROPERTY IS A MENTAL INSTEAD OF A HAND PRODUCT?]	86
[THE WORLD IS USUALLY MORE MINDFUL OF THE MAN WITH THE "BIG STICK," THAN WITH THE "BIG GRIEVANCE."]	88
[ DIFFERENCE IN THE TREATMENT METED OUT BY OUR GOVERNMENT TO HIM WHO RENDERS SERVICES TO SOCIETY, BY DIGGING IN THE DIRT, AND TO HIM WHO USES THE BRAIN.]	90
[ HAS NOT THE INGENUITY OF THE INVENTOR ENABLED EVEN THE FARMER * * * TO GET GREATER RETURNS FOR HIS LABOR? * * * HAS HE NOT MADE HIS WORK LIGHTER AND HAS HE NOT ENABLED HIM TO GET MORE OF THE GOOD THINGS OF THIS WORLD?]	92
[THROUGH THE INVENTOR'S INGENUITY AND INDUSTRY THIS COUNTRY HAS ATTAINED ITS MIGHTY POTENCY IN WAR.]	93

BY
HENRY ROBINSON
ENGINEER AND INVENTOR

1911

DEDICATED
TO MY FRIEND AND BENEFACTOR
A. G. ARNOLD, ESQ.

A. G. ARNOLD. Esq.

Preface

THE object of publishing this pamphlet is to awaken the public conscience to the great injustice continually being done to a numerous and worthy class of intellectual toilers, and the evil resulting from the same to the general public.

If perchance this will help to remedy the wrong to any extent, the author will feel amply repaid for the trouble and expense incurred in pointing it out to the public.

Respectfully yours
THE AUTHOR
H. Robinson

[ CHAPTER 1
Successful Invention]

A very large number of people in and out of the mechanical profession are intensely eager to know how to become successful inventors. Wealth, honor and glory are the reward of the successful. Disappointment, drudgery, oblivion, and poverty are often the portion of the less fortunate ones.

Many of the latter foolishly attribute the greater measure of success to their fellow-workers in the same chosen field of usefulness to luck, which is far from the truth, and to that fallacious belief they often owe their own less favored condition. It is also an injustice to those who have reached the summit; as there is one, and only one road that leads to it, and which they all have to take, and its name is "Endeavor."

There are numerous fictitious definitions of the successful inventor, and yet there is but one true gauge and test of merit that entitles one to membership in the none-too-numerous and select fraternity. This test is the ability of producing a commercially successful invention.

That "Ability" is but the concentrated name for the possession of numerous requirements, comprising a vast and varied knowledge, theoretical, scientific, and practical, not only of the various mechanical branches necessary for successful machine designing, but of the art and conditions for the manipulation of that product for which a machine is designed, with or without that machine, and the newly designed machine's economic relation to the same.

Then securing the necessary co-operation of financial means must be attended to; introducing the newly hatched-out novelty into the market, compelling its adoption and general use, for its purpose, and organizing the proper fabric for its production efficiently and economically.

THE SUCCESSFUL INVENTOR

THE UNSUCCESSFUL INVENTOR

Last, but not least, there must be secured the possession of a fair share of its benefits to its originator, and to those "financial interests" necessary in the production and marketing of a successful invention.

All of these accomplishments are the necessary elements and attributes of the successful inventor, and are the steps by which he is required to climb and mount that desired eminence and through the skipping or missing of any one of those steps, many aspiring climbers have been hurled headlong to the bottom of the abyss just as they were within reach of the goal.

No matter how naturally favored one may be, never has nature so favored any individual as to bestow on him those necessary accomplishments gratis.

It is one of the greatest anomalies of human nature, that the performance of most difficult tasks, requiring for their consummation numerous and rare attainments, are continually undertaken by those who are least qualified to perform them. Lured by the glittering reward of the few successful ones, they try to gain by chance what can only be gained by work.

[ CHAPTER 2
Machine Designing]

While the elements of success in actual engineering are general, comprised by knowledge of well-known sciences and arts; yet the accomplishments of their undertaking must necessarily be stamped with the individuality of its creator, and along those lines that repeated experiences have found necessary, to insure success.

In inventing and designing a new machine, one must first thoroughly familiarize himself with its desired performance, as the success or failure of his mechanical creation depends on how nearly perfect that performance is, compared to established or desired standards; and the performance of that machine when made will truly denote how well its designer understood it, and his skill in mechanical manipulation to produce it.

THE STEPS BY WHICH HE IS REQUIRED TO CLIMB AND MOUNT THAT DESIRED EMINENCE

Another important item of calculation must be the relative value of the probable production of the machine, its quantity and quality, to the cost of the machine.

Careful consideration must be given to the working conditions the machine will have to be adapted to. These must include a careful study of the substance to be worked upon in the machine, its regularity or irregularity in shape, its constant or changing conditions under various environments or seasons, and its general peculiarities.

The cost of manipulating the machine must be considered, that is, the required amount of power for its propulsion, and the cost of maintaining its efficient mechanical performance for a certain amount of production, or its durability, and its proneness to get out of order. Nor must one fail to take into account the required intelligence and skill to operate it.

While constantly and carefully bearing in mind the before-mentioned objective points, the prospective successful inventor in designing his machine, must carefully aim for cheapness of construction, which can only be properly accomplished by designing the various mechanical performances of the machine with the least number of parts, and of the simplest form, requiring for their proper production the least amount and cheapest kind of labor in the Pattern Shop, Foundry, and Machine Shop, and, next to the creating of efficient and durable machines, the greatest order of skill in a machine designer is required in producing simple and cheap mechanical designs.

And yet this is not all that is required from him, even in the mechanical line, but he must have such mechanical movements and parts in his machine, as will enable him to secure a good patent on it, which will insure him protection, at the same time carefully and absolutely avoiding any possible infringement on others. In a measure that can be avoided by looking up the copies of patents of similar inventions.

Another important factor in determining the general design of a machine, is the probable market for the same, as that must, in a great measure, decide the justifiable expenditure for the initial or first general cost, for bringing the successful machine into being.

INVENTORS SELDOM HAVE ANYTHING OUTSIDE OF THEIR ASPIRATIONS AND PROSPECTS.

So much for the mechanical or engineering part of the invention.

[ CHAPTER 3
Financing a New Invention]

The next important part is the financial side of it. The estimate for this must necessarily vary with the intended mode of disposal of the prospective invention after its perfection.

If it is the intention of the inventor to dispose of his invention after it is perfected, the expense can be approximately estimated, and in many cases will be moderate, of course varying with the nature of the invention. But if it is the intention to manufacture it, create and supply a market for it, the required capital will always be considerable.

For many obvious reasons, it is considered advantageous for the profitable exploitation of an invention to have the financial end of it under a separate head, which is generally the case. Usually this is "making a virtue of necessity," as inventors seldom have anything outside of their "aspirations and prospects," whether it is that "necessity is the mother of invention," or that "Invention is the mother of necessity," is something that physiologists have not quite determined. But in any event, the prospective successful inventor must provide himself with a "finance minister," variously designated as "Angel," "Backer," or "Octopus."

This part of the inventive problem, to many an inventor, is insolvable for many reasons. To solve it successfully requires good insight, and judgment of human nature. Ability to impart one's own "enthusiastic aspirations," and to keep it up, requires diplomacy and tact.

FINANCE MINISTERS.

But solve the problem he must if the inventor wants to be successful, and various means have been employed to do so. One of them, which is probably as good as any, is for the enterprising inventor to divide that part of his problem into two or several parts. If he cannot command a large amount at once, he will devote his energies to interesting successively small amounts, which will enable him to carry on the development of his invention from one stage to another; each time advancing it further, becoming stronger, and showing enhanced prospects. To sell to each successive "Backer" the interest of his predecessor, and if the predecessor's money has been used to good advantage, that can be done profitably, and to the satisfaction of everybody concerned, as well as increasing the available means for carrying on the exploitation of the invention.

That is one of the ways by which an inventor can provide himself steadily with some one to take care of the "finance portfolio" in his cabinet.

Another, but far more hazardous way, is to resort to the professional promoter.

Great care, however, must be taken by the inventor in these various financial transactions, which necessarily include the making and signing of various contracts and legal instruments, that his entire invention as well as himself are not entirely absorbed by others.

As competent and reliable legal advice may not always be within his reach, he must be able to make contracts advantageously, and above all to be the possessor of a vision sufficiently penetrating to detect "the nigger in the woodpile," in any paper before he signs it.

[ CHAPTER 4
Marketing a New Invention]

The value and success of an invention depends upon its demonstrated usefulness to those for whose use it is intended, and their desire to avail themselves of the same.

It very often devolves on the inventor to give that value to it, a task which will not be found easy, especially to the novice.

The first necessary steps to force an invention into the market is to procure as many representative references from people using his invention as possible. This may necessitate placing his machine on trial for a certain length of time, and personally demonstrating its usefulness; also educating other operators to operate his machine advantageously.

VISION SUFFICIENTLY PENETRATING TO DETECT THE NIGGER IN THE WOODPILE.

The inventor will find ample opportunity to display his forebearance at this stage of the game, as he will find at the beginning, "no one poor enough to do his invention reverence." And it is one of the strange things that one observes in life, that many people who have not sufficient energy and intelligence to raise themselves beyond the very humblest and meanest occupations in life, consider themselves amply qualified to criticise, and even make suggestions on inventions that some of the best brains have spent their best on.

But this is a condition that must be reckoned with and overcome in introducing a new machine on the market, and the inventor will find it to his advantage to use every possible means to persuade and win over those who will have to operate his machine, as well as to demonstrate to the proprietor himself the usefulness of the invention; and sometimes even he may find it to his advantage to furnish an educated operator for the machine.

If his means are limited, which is often the case, he will have to act as his own salesman, advertisement-writer, and press-agent until the invention becomes firmly established in the market. To go out in the cold, wide world and solicit orders even on approval for a new invention requires considerable adaptability, pluck, patience, and hard work. Very often success or failure depends upon the initial exertions in that direction.

No fixed rules can be laid down for that kind of work. To be successful, it must be varied with the nature and the disposition of every individual who does the selling and buying. But generally speaking, it is a safe rule for a salesman to observe, "Brevity, Directness, Simplicity, and Politeness," as the average business man is, by force of circumstances, homeopathic. They like "Talks" in small quantities, concentrated form, and sugar-coated.

NO ONE POOR ENOUGH TO DO HIS INVENTION REVERENCE.

Sometimes silence, the ability to keep one's mouth closed, and to respectfully listen to a loquacious prospective buyer, will secure an order for a machine, where a disposition to do all the talking, however "silvery" will not accomplish the same "golden" results.

Another important factor in introducing a machine into the market is advertising by mail.

Painstaking exertions coupled with the required ability to get up a proper circular, which should include a clear cut, half-tone preferably, of the machine to be sold, a concise explicit statement of the nature of the machine, and its capacity, and its advantages over previous or other methods of doing the same work.

In wording and phrasing your circular, observe simplicity. A list of references will materially enhance your chances of securing attention, as most people are willing to say "Me Too," where you could never get them to say "I."

In the general get-up of your circular it is best to have such an arrangement as will readily go into an ordinary business envelope, without folding. If, however, it must be folded, it must be so arranged that the fold so creased will not come at a vital point. Plain, clear type of convenient size, on good white paper, and black ink, is better than rainbow colors. However, a different color for a few words now and then for emphasis, is permissible, and may help to bring out certain points which you wish the prospective buyer's attention called to.

The general get-up of the circular must be of such a nature and form, that the prospective buyer of average intelligence will be attracted by it, and will get a general idea of what it has to tell him at a glance.

It is even best to leave the price of the article off the circular, as that will induce people to inquire for it, and give one a chance to get in touch with those who are interested, while those who would not even inquire for the price, would not buy any way.

Another means for introducing a new invention on the market, is in "write-ups" of the same in the daily papers, magazines, and trade papers; as very unfortunately a good many people would not pay any attention to circulars, and would not find time to grant a personal interview to a solicitor, yet they do look up printed matter in the form of a newspaper, magazine, or trade-paper, and very often get their own views on any subject from the general tone of the article they read.

These articles require considerable intelligence, care, and literary ability to prepare, and more to get them printed, as they naturally have to vary in tone and style with the paper, or magazine they are printed in.

It is more or less easy to get a write-up in a trades-paper for an article that comes within its sphere, and very often the editor of that magazine will be willing to do the writing-up, from circulars furnished to him or from observations of the machines as a news item, for the dual purpose of furnishing its readers with useful information, and of obtaining advertising patronage from the beneficiary.

In other magazines, it will require more ingenuity and literary merit to get in at all, and except in very rare instances, it would be best for the inventor to turn that part of the business over to some one who has experience in that line of work, and knows "how."

[ CHAPTER 5
Determining the Selling Price of a Newly Invented Article]

Considerable business acumen is required in determining and fixing the selling price of a new machine.

The factors to be taken into consideration are, the value of its saving in every direction to its purchaser, the average amount of capital invested in the prospective purchaser's business, and the amount to be invested in the machine, as very often a machine may be beyond the reach of those for whose use it is desired, by reason of its price.

In any event, the cost of producing the machine should not be a factor in determining the price, but the value of its product. And the cost of producing the same results by any other process, will give a very fair estimate, after taking into consideration the means of the people who have to buy it.

Generally a machine is sold outright to the consumer, but in some instances they are only rented for certain periods or volumes of production.

That has to be determined by the nature of the invention and the business to which it applies.

[ CHAPTER 6
Office Management and Business Policies]

If the inventor is unfortunate enough to be compelled to attend to his own office work, he will probably find it advantageous to observe the following rules:

Answer all letters promptly, briefly, and politely, and don't write what you feel like, as that will often get you into trouble. Don't forget to make a copy, and keep it, of every letter you send out, and file carefully all letters you receive.

If the inventor has to be his own purchasing agent, he should remember that the lowest price is not always the cheapest, and the highest price doesn't indicate that you couldn't get it any cheaper elsewhere, and as good, if not better.

Whenever possible, arrange for everything to be delivered at your place, as that throws the transit responsibility on the contractor until the goods are delivered, and your credit is also longer.

Order your goods as much ahead of time as possible as goods are very rarely delivered on the time they are promised.

Examine all goods delivered in your place as to quality and weight, and keep a careful memorandum of the same, and don't forget to check off the bills you receive for the same.

Don't be afraid to complain of unfair treatment, even at the risk of being called a "kicker."

Remember that the faithful performance of your duties for the firm that trusts and depends upon you, is more important than the catering to anybody, especially if it has to be done at the expense of the firm you represent.

Don't expect "perfection" from people you are dealing with, as they have also a good many things to contend with, and when once you have O. K.'d the bills, pay for them as soon as possible if you want to maintain your credit and your self-respect.

Honesty and straight dealings will materially increase your chances of staying in the market, once you get there.

Cultivating a good name with the people you are dealing with, is better than "kowtowing" to "Rating Agencies," as well as being the cheapest and very best kind of advertising. Never misrepresent your financial condition when furnishing a statement to your bank, for you may do it once too often, and then you will wish "you hadn't." You will travel more easily and further by telling the truth.

[ CHAPTER 7
Divers Ways of Exploiting an Invention]

Having advanced his invention to the stage of having obtained a footing in the market, the inventor has reached the "Parting of the Ways," and now is the time for him to decide whether he is to sell his invention, or to keep it.

If he decides to sell, his likely buyers are those who are in that line of business, and who are generally willing to add to their established business some patented novelty in their own line, that will give them exclusive use, and special advertising facilities, thereby increasing their profits, and enhancing their prestige; or some capitalist on the alert for a profitable investment, and congenial occupation.

The decision of the inventor must depend upon the nature of the invention, its profitableness, his own financial resources, his health, his energies, temperament, and the likelihood of his invention being imitated, and his mechanical and financial ability to protect it.

"A BIRD IN THE HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH."

Generally speaking the proverb about "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush," is very applicable to inventions, and the inventor who is blessed with a grain of prudence in his make-up, will think carefully, and his best, before he refuses a fair offer.

If he desires to sell, a sum of money outright is better than a royalty.

Should it not be practical or desirable to dispose of it, he must make preparations to supply the market in constantly increased proportions.

Owing to the various kinds of skilled labor, numerous expensive tools, machinery, high rents for suitable manufacturing places necessary for the building of machinery, requiring the investment of large capital, and the devotion of a great deal of time for organization and supervision, many inventors find it convenient, even profitable, to have their machines built under contract by some established manufacturing concern which is properly equipped for that special kind of work. This in many cases is a very wise business-like course to pursue, as it eliminates the necessity of a large investment, and leaves the inventor free to devote himself to improving and enlarging the field for his invention, and to attend to the business end to better advantage.

[ CHAPTER 8
Useful Pointers on Successful Manufacturing]

Should it, however, be decided to manufacture his invention, it will be found that a proper system for regular routine will be required to produce the articles within reasonable cost.

If the inventor has no special experience in manufacturing, it will be greatly to his advantage to procure information, by inspection, and carefully noting the methods employed in up-to-date manufacturing establishments, making similar articles.

Manufacturing must be carried out from "THE TOP DOWNWARDS," not from "THE BOTTOM UPWARDS." That is, the brain work in the office must be carefully planned and carried out first, and recorded in assembly and detail drawings and carefully written-up specifications.

Next a double set of metal patterns should be made to be kept in two separate places to guard against fire.

To do everything should not be attempted in the beginning, as many parts requiring special equipment and special skill, such as foundry work, drop forging, gear making, and wood work, can very often be contracted for with persons especially equipped to do that work, at less than the price it would cost to produce them by a firm which has to do a little of everything. Elimination of that much of the work permits better concentration and increased facilities for the other work, resulting in a maximum of production with a minimum of investment.

The work in the factory should be carefully divided up, and localized.

If the quantities of complete manufactured articles to be made are large, or there is a fair prospect that they will be so, and their sale is not localized, a duplicate, interchangeable system of manufacture is indispensable, and should be employed from the very beginning. In spite of the initial expenses for tools, it will be found to be a great saver of worry, annoyance, trouble, and money. Also the labor cost for duplicate parts in the making and assembling is very considerably less than if made in the "GOOD OLD WAY." This makes it possible to supply parts that will fit the machine which will be required in the course of usage, in any part of the world where it may happen to be, and which often forms a considerable part of the profits. Indeed it may be truly said that it sometimes pays to give machines away for nothing, if assured a monopoly of its repairs at one's own prices.

The "gang-boss" system in the shop will be found a material aid in producing and maintaining a desired standard of quality and quantity. It will also lessen the necessary supervision and worry in tracing, and eliminate deficient and jarring elements in production.

THE GOOD WILL AND WELL WISHES OF THOSE WHO HELPED CREATE IT.

DON'T FAIL TO GIVE CREDIT WHERE IT IS DUE.

A healthy, accessible location, and a clean, comfortable shop are indispensable. Fair, just and considerate treatment, with an apparent ready appreciation [30] by the management, of the merits of their employees, will be duly rewarded by the willing and faithful co-operation of those on whom in a great measure the success or failure of manufacturing depends; also enhancing the value of the profits by the addition of the goodwill, and wellwishes of those who help to create it, as the want of it often mars the enjoyment of the money when earned.

[ CHAPTER 9
Warning to Prospective Inventors]

By a careful perusal of what has been said, it will be seen that the undertaking of a successful invention is no easy task, and that it cannot fall to one's lot by mere chance.

It is quite true that, like the diamond, the inventor, the general, orator, or writer is born. But be it also remembered that even a diamond has to be cut, ground, and polished before it attains its lustre, and the inventor or general, writer and orator are no exceptions to the rule.

The general could not conquer a valiant foe if he did not master the science of war, or if he failed to familiarize himself with most of the conspicuous experiences of others in the same profession.

The writer and orator would have no audience if they failed to fertilize their brains with rich stores of knowledge to draw upon, and with proper means of expressing themselves.

And the inventor is generally doomed to failure if he fails to earnestly apply himself to the acquisition and mastery of that knowledge which is potent to successful invention in the mechanical line, and to get his just or fair share of its value.

NUMEROUS AND DEEP ARE THE PITFALLS THAT THE WOULD-BE-SUCCESSFUL INVENTOR MUST AVOID.

Numerous and deep are the pitfalls that the would-be-successful inventor must avoid. Rich and powerful are the members of the fraternity who thrive and fatten on him, through his short-comings of "Omission or Commission." At every stage of his progress he has to combat a new set and different kinds of vampires, each attacking him with different weapons, and in different [32] [33] [34] ways, who consider the unlucky inventor their natural and legitimate prey. These men respectively garb their duplicity with the respectable name of a "profession," and justify the means of robbing him of his just and hard earnings, with the all-condoning name of "Modern Business Methods."

VICTIMS CONSTANTLY THROWN UP BY THE WAVES OF PASSION AND FOLLY, ON THE STERILE SHORE OF HUMAN INDIFFERENCE.

(left)
SHORT AND EASY CUT TO OPULENCE AND EASE.

ENCOURAGED TO PURSEVERE IN THEIR FALLACIES BY THE SLICK CUNNING SHARKS.

WITH THEIR OWN ILL-CONCEIVED NOTIONS AND PRIDE.

THEY BECOME UNFITTED FOR THEIR USUAL OCCUPATIONS.

VERY OFTEN THE SUBSTANCE OF THOSE DEPENDING ON THEM.

As numerous and as pitiful as are the various victims constantly thrown up by the waves of passion and folly on the sterile shore of "human indifference," none are more so than they who have nothing better than the promptings of a more-than-ordinary share of vanity and conceit to aspire to the honors and rewards of successful inventors. Foolishly do they imagine it a short and easy cut to opulence and ease. Enthused with their delusion, they become unfitted for their usual occupations, and are encouraged to persevere in their fallacies by the slick, cunning sharks whose inevitable prey they become through it. These not only take their very last dollar, but very often the substance of those depending upon them; until at last, poor, ruined, deluded fools, they wake up to the realization of the grand truth, "THAT ONE GETS NOTHING FOR NOTHING," not even experience. But it is none the less unfortunately true, that those very victims themselves are responsible for the existence of the means and conditions for their undoing. If perchance in the outset of their ruinous career, they encounter one who would give them competent and honest advice, if it be at variance with their own ill-conceived notions and pride, he will receive insults for his pains, and be deprived of the opportunity of rendering any services to the profession of which his ability and integrity makes him a creditable and honorable member.

[ CHAPTER 10
Advice to Inventors on Inventions]

What and how to invent, is very often asked and variously answered. On the nature of the answer to the honest inquirer often depends whether he is to be discouraged in a good undertaking, or sent on a fool's errand, or directed rightly to the avenue of success.

The various answers to what and how to invent may be divided into three different kinds. The stupid, the misleading, and the intelligent. The remark is often made by certain people, "Oh, there used to be lots of chances to make fortunes out of inventions YEARS AGO, but not NOW." This is as stupid as it is untrue.

Never in the history of the world, have the opportunities been as numerous and the rewards as great as they are now for any and every kind of meritorious invention. Our advanced civilization, the complex intricacies of our social fabric, the enormous general increase in wealth and the consequent general ability, to greater or less extent, to gratify our numerous and various desires, has created an unlimited field of opportunity for the ingenious, fertile and enterprising brain. Not only for the improvements upon methods of "doing things," for which there is no man capable of setting a limit, but even for the invention and creation of entirely new means of gratification and utility.

The inventor of steam locomotion created for mankind a new means of providing for certain phases of its existence. Yet THOSE who successively contributed their ingenuity and made the MODERN locomotive possible have filled a want, served a useful purpose, conferred a benefit and justly earned and merited reward. The existence of the perfected steam locomotive did not deter human ingenuity and enterprise from developing electric traction. The inventors of wireless telegraphy, were not deterred or discouraged in their efforts by the existence of telegraph wires. The fact that, in all the unknown thousands of years of human existence, speech was considered only a human prerogative did not prevent "THE SAGE OF LLEWELLYN" from giving to the world the phonograph.

Every human brain is different from every other; endowed with its own special marvellous capacity, making it possible for it to succeed in new directions.

Who can fathom, or set a limit to the ingenuity of that divine creation, THE HUMAN BRAIN? None but its Creator. Our ordinary every-day mechanical utilities would be considered MAGIC by him who wrote, "There is nothing new under the Sun."

WHO CAN FATHOM OR SET A LIMIT TO THE INGENUITY OF THAT DIVINE CREATION, THE HUMAN BRAIN? NONE BUT ITS CREATOR.

OUR ORDINARY EVERYDAY MECHANICAL UTILITIES WOULD BE CONSIDERED MAGIC BY HIM WHO WROTE—"THERE'S NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN."

Happily the world is not apt to suffer from the foolish slogan of "IN GOOD OLD TIMES," as generally the possessor of extraordinary abilities will not be deterred by it from using them. And a SIGH for PAST opportunities is but a true indication of the unfitness of its unfortunate emitter for any opportunity.

The "MISLEADING ANSWER" to "WHAT AND HOW TO INVENT" is that which tells everybody and anybody, to invent ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING.

Human abilities and environments vary, and it necessarily follows that every individual cannot be successful in that undertaking which requires for its successful accomplishment that which manifestly his Creator did not endow him with. Nor is the capable man apt to be as successful in a direction where, through his environments, he is a stranger, as he would in that field of operation that he has been most active in. It is better and cheaper for a person to first determine his possession of the abilities for doing certain things, than to find out the want of them by the failure of his undertaking. The gifted individual will also find success easier to attain if his efforts are directed in experienced channels, than if prospecting on what is to him, "unexplored wilds."

And to the "MISLEADING ANSWER" OF "WHAT AND HOW TO INVENT," can be, in a great measure, attributed the product of the inventive weeds that choke up the patent offices as well as the elimination of numerous individuals from ordinary but useful occupations for which their Creator evidently intended them. Their wasted substances furnishes a fat living to them who make a profession to give out this "misleading" advice broadcast.

[ CHAPTER 11
General Definition and Classification of Inventions]

To "ANSWER INTELLIGENTLY WHAT AND HOW TO INVENT." It is first necessary to analyze most carefully the various phases of invention of various natures.

It will be observed that inventions in general may be divided into several divisions, as follows:

First:—Fundamental physical principles, which are very rare and purely scientific.

Second:—Basic mechanical adaptation to and for the first division which generally comes into existence soon after the discovery of the first.

Third:—Basic mechanical adaptation to a well-defined production, substituting human or animal exertions; which comes by degrees, and none too often.

Fourth:—Improved mechanical applications.

Fifth:—Diverse or varied mechanical applications.

The last two are the most prolific or numerous classes. The first division includes our physical sciences. The second is the first mechanical harness for utilizing a new discovery in the laws of physics for different purposes. The third includes the first mechanical appliances receiving impulse from some other body for doing to greater advantage that which is done by direct human or animal exertions, and are commonly termed labor-saving machines.

The fourth are the continuous improvements on the third, and may include basic mechanical contrivances.

The fifth is for accomplishing the same ends as the Second, Third and Fourth, but also for the greater adaptability for certain specific purposes, and for popularizing its production; that is to prevent the exclusive monopolizing of certain advantages gained through and by the Second and Third.

[ CHAPTER 12
The Glory of Invention and Pictures of Celebrated Inventors and Scientists]

Great and glorious are the opportunities for the lucky individual possessing the required high standard of intelligence, education, taste, and means of devoting himself to scientific investigations and experiments, [41] [42] [43] [44] [45] [46] [47] [48] [49] [50] [51] [52] [53] [54] [55] [56] discovering and giving to the world new scientific truths, and means of harnessing them to various human usefulness, coming within range of different dynamic forces, such as: steam, gas, electricity, hydraulics, etc. The gates of the treasuries of rapturous joy are ajar to him, all his life, and an honored memory afterwards, as enduring as the civilization that made his triumphs possible. The products of his genius are his monuments, and are of greater beauty than any sculptor could produce. More enduring than the Pyramids, always noted by admiring and grateful humanity, to whom it gives comfort and inspiration.