THE CONQUEST OF NATURE 



of the piston into motion of rotation, in order that the 

 engine might drive ordinary machinery. 



It seems to be conceded that Watt was himself the 

 originator of the idea of making the application through 

 the medium of a crank and fly-wheel such as are now 

 universally employed. But the year before Watt took 

 out his second patent, another inventor named James 

 Picard had patented this device of crank and connecting 

 rod, having, it is alleged, obtained the idea from a 

 workman in Watt's employ. Whatever be the truth 

 as to this point, Picard's patent made it necessary for 

 Watt to find some alternative device, and after experi- 

 menting, he hit upon the so-called sun and planet gear- 

 ing, and henceforth this was used on his rotary engines 

 until the time for the expiration of Picard's patent, 

 after which the simpler and more satisfactory crank 

 and fly-wheel were adopted. 



In the meantime, Watt had associated himself with a 

 business partner named Boulton, under the firm name 

 of Boulton and Watt. In 1776 a special act of legisla- 

 tion extending the term of Watt's original patent for a 

 period of twenty-five years had been secured. All in- 

 fringements were vigorously prosecuted, and the in- 

 ventor, it is gratifying to reflect, shared fully in the 

 monetary proceeds that accrued from his invention. 



Notwithstanding the early recognition of the pos- 

 sibility of securing rotary motion with Watt's per- 

 fected Newcomen engine, it was long before the full 

 possibilities of the application of this principle were 

 realized, even by the most practical of machinists. 

 Watt himself apparently appreciated the possibilities 



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