Contents 



subjugation of fire. A minor invention or discovery 

 simply adds to human resources." a supreme conquest 

 as of flame or electricity, is a multiplier and lifts art 

 and science to a new plane. Growth is slow, flower- 

 ing is rapid: progress at times is so quick of pace as 

 virtually to become a leap. The mastery of electricity 

 based on that of fire. Electricity vastly wider of range 

 than heat: it is energy in its most available and desirable 

 phase. The telegraph and the telephone contrasted 

 with the signal fire. Electricity as the servant 

 of mechanic and engineer. Household uses of the 

 current. Electricity as an agent of research now 

 examines Nature in fresh aspects. The inves- 

 tigator and the commercial exploiter render aid to one 

 another. Social benefits of electricity, in telegraphy, 

 iii quick travel. The current should serve every city 

 house 125 



RUMFORD, COUNT (BENJAMIN THOMP- 

 SON) 

 HEAT AND MOTION IDENTIFIED 



Observes that in boring a cannon much heat is gen- 

 erated: the longer the boring lasts, the more heat is 

 produced. He argues that since heat without limit 

 may be thus produced by motion, heat must be motion.iss 



STEPHENSON, GEORGE 



THE "ROCKET" LOCOMOTIVE AND ITS 

 VICTORY 



Shall it be a system of stationary engines or loco- 

 motives? The two best practical engineers of the 

 day are in favour of stationary engines. A test of 

 locomotives is, however, proffered, and George Steph- 

 enson and his son, Robert, djscuss how they may best 

 build an engine to win the first prize. They adopt 

 a steam blast to stimulate the draft of the furnace, 

 Xli 



