480 TRANSACTIONS OF THE • 



mathematical theory alone, antl have ignored the physical properties of the 

 materials employed, because I believe the hardened rollers, box, &c., to 

 possess such a power of resistance to compression, that any force employed 

 in driving machinery, and likely to be brought into operation upon them, 

 would have absolutely no effect upon them. The shaft, then, and box, 

 being perfectly concentric at any point in the revolution, will be so through- 

 out, and there cannot be any lighting of the shaft as a roller passes under 

 it. lo like manner, the large and small rollers being so arranged that, if 

 one of them be subject to more friction than another, it must move on and 

 allow the next to take its place, it is obvious that they cannot get wedged 

 as stated. 



Mr. Hoagland. — There is some misunderstanding as to the arrangement 

 of the rollers. They are not held by the box, as Mr. Garvey seems to 

 think, they are secured between two discs within the box, and these discs 

 move with the rollers. The axles on which the small rollers turn, are 

 riveted to the discs mentioned, and then the larger rollers are placed 

 loosely between them. The result is a perfect annihilation of friction. 

 Why the box on exhibition, though crudely made, will rotate for twenty 

 minutes after receiving one impulse. The traction power required on rail- 

 roads would not be more than one-tenth of what it now is, if these anti- 

 friction boxes were in use on all the freight and passenger cars. It is a 

 magnificent iaventioq, and the exhibiter ought to be regarded as a public 

 benefactor. 



Mr. Tillman. — If these great results could be produced, every railroad 

 company would employ this invention, for the economy would be counted 

 by millions of dollars. But the fact that it has been invented some years 

 and has not yet been extensively employed any where, leads to the belief 

 that there are some practical difficulties. Indeed friction rollers of all 

 kinds have fallen into disuse among machinists, because they have not 

 acted up to theoretical expectations, and they introduce some complexity — 

 a thing to be avoided as far as possible in machinery. 



Mr. Stetson considered it more difficult to introduce good inventions into 

 use than the last speaker intimated. All the greatest inventions ever 

 made had difficulties thrown in their way by parties having vested interests, 

 and it is no measure of the excellence or worthlessness of any thing, whether 

 it is extensively employed or not. Inventors generally are neglected, and 

 their inventions despised while they are living. After death their inven- 

 tions, however, are often found to be invaluable. It should be our pleasure, 

 as it is our duty, to encourage every man who contributes to the advance 

 of arts or science ; and no remarks ought to be made likely to discourage 

 inventors or injure their property. 



After some further desultory remarks upon the anti-friction box, and 

 other articles on exhibition, the Association adjourned. 



In consequence of many members being engaged as Judges at the Fair, 

 the attendance of speaking members was rather small, but the room was 

 filled with exhibiters and strangers. 



