394 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



Mr. Stetson. — Can any one tell iis exactly what was the "papyrus," and 

 whether it has been used in modern times? 



Dr. Stevens. — The papyrus was a lily which grew in the Nile. Attempts 

 have been made to cultivate it in England, but vvitliout success. 



The subject of "Iron-plated Ships" was selected for the next week, and 



the Association adjourned, 



Thomas D. Stetson, Secretary. 



\ 



American Institute Polytechnic Association 

 November '2^, 1862 



ON, I 



Pye's Lock. 



Mr. Parsons. — Mr. Chairman, at the last meeting Pye's lock was before 

 the Association, but the owner, Mr. McWilliams, was not present. He is 

 now here, and I think that he ought to be allowed to make some explanation. 



Mr. McWilliams. — Mr. Chairman, I have Icrii told that it was asserted 

 here at the last meeting that my lock could be picked in fifteen mia 

 utes. Now, I make this proposition: I will put one liundred or one thou- 

 sand dollars into a box if any other man will put in an equal amount; I will 

 fasten it with one of my locks, such as 1 sell for twelve dollars a dozen, 

 and if the man can open the box he shall have the money that is in it; if 

 he cannot open it I shall carry the box home with the money in it. 



Mr. Stetson. — I should like to know if the lock is to be one that is 

 offered in market for a dollar; for if it is, I will put in the money and will 

 bring an expert here who will open the box. ^t should be understood that 

 one of the material points in burglar-proof locks is secrecy in regard to 

 their construction. For five hundred or six hundred dollars a man may make 

 a lock which is entirely different from any other, and he may keep the mode 

 of its construction secret; but locks that can be sold for a dollar must be 

 duplicated, and if a man undertakes to pick one, his first step is to go into 

 market and buy a similar article and study its construction. 



Mr. McWilliams. — Very appropriate remarks when applied to unchange- 

 able locks, but not applicable to this. Our claim is for the double-bitted 

 key, which throws the tumblers both ways from the bolt. We put in the 

 key and turn the tumblers, and then run the saw through for the bolt to 

 slide; thus fitting each lock to its key. We have no two locks alike. I 

 made the calculation for one style of our locks, and found that it was capa- 

 ble of 42,000,000 of changes. I claim not only that the lock cannot be picked, 

 but also that it cannot be got out of order; and I extend the proposition 

 that if the man who puts his money with mine, either one hundred or one 

 housand dollars, is able in a reasonable time either to pick the lock or to 

 jet it out of order, he shall have the money. 



The Chairman. — Our object is to understand the principle of mechanism 

 [iresented here, and all bets in regard to any man's articles are out of place. 



Mr. Stetson. — That is true, Mr. Chairman; still, in the preliminary half 

 nour, I suppose there would be no impropriety in making the test, and if 



