MECHANICS AND USEFUL ARTS. 37 



STEA3I APPLIED TO ilUSIC. 



A Yankee genius lias recently succeeded in harnessing steam to a musical 

 instrument. His name is Joshua C. Stoddard, of "Worcester, Mass., and the 

 following description wih 1 give some idea of the invention : The instrument 

 consists of a horizontal steam-chest or cylinder, some six feet in length, and 

 from four to six feet in diameter, which is fed with steam from the large boiler 

 in the establishment where it is located. Upon the top of this cylinder is a 

 series of valve-chambers, placed at equal distances from each other, into which 

 the steam is admitted without obstruction. Each valve-chamber contains a 

 double metallic valve, with no packing, yet it fits so closely upon its seat as 

 to admit no steam to escape. To each of these valves is connected a very 

 small piston-rod or stem, which passes through the chamber, and is operated 

 upon by machinery without. Were it not for this stern, the valve would be 

 simply a double balance- valve, and would remain stationary wherever placed, 

 the pressure of steam being equal on all sides : but a part of one end of the 

 valve being carried outside of the chamber, gives it the self-closing power, 

 which is the nicest part of the whole invention, and perhaps the best patent- 

 able feature. With a slight pressure against these rods, the valve is opened ; 

 and when the pressure is removed, it closes as quick as steam can act, which 

 is not much behind electricity. Directly over each of these valves is placed a 

 common alarm whistle, constructed similar to those used upon locomotives, 

 except that it admits of being raised or lowered, to flatten or sharpen the 

 tone. These whistles are made of different sizes, so as to produce the de- 

 sired tone corresponding with each note, etc. This completes the machine, 

 with the exception of a cylinder similar to those used in a common hand-organ 

 or music-box, containing cogs which, when properly arranged, will, when 

 turned by hand, or otherwise, operate upon the valves in such a manner as to 

 play any tune desired by simply changing the position of the cogs, which are 

 intended to be movable. One of these instruments can be heard from ten to 

 twenty-five miles on the water, and every note will be perfect and roll. This 

 invention is so completely under the control of the operator, that, were it ar- 

 ranged with a key-board similar to a piano, it would obey the slightest touch, 

 and a child could play slow or quick tunes, every note of which might be 

 heard several miles. It is the design of the inventor to place these instru- 

 ments upeii locomotives and steam-boats. It would appear rather novel to 

 John Bull to hear "Yankee Doodle" from one of our ocean-steamers as she 

 was about to enter a British port (say twenty miles), and it would remind a 

 Yankee of his jack-knife to hear " Sweet Home" from the same vessel on its 

 return to New York or Boston. 



Eemarking upon this invention, the London Athenceum says "It seemed 

 difficult to add another aggravation to the pains and penalties of a voyage ; 

 yet here it is done, supposing Mr. Joshua C. Stoddart to prove a real person. 

 Fancy an organ . made up of steam whistles, having a twenty-mile screech 

 for the delectation of worn and languid folk, after some days of rough weather, 



