Chapter X
Mechanical Inventions and Inventors
Tools and civilizationThe beginnings of toolsDexterity of hand chiefly relied onOpposition to manufacturing machinesGradual process of inventionThe human race the true inventorObscure origin of many inventionsInventions born before their time“Nothing new under the sun”The power of steam known to the ancientsPassage from Roger BaconOld inventions revivedPrintingAtmospheric locomotionThe balloonThe reaping machineTunnelsGunpowderAncient firearmsThe steam gunThe Congreve rocketCoal-gasHydropathyAnaesthetic agentsThe Daguerreotype anticipatedThe electric telegraph not newForgotten inventorsDisputed inventionsSimultaneous inventionsInventions made step by stepJames Watt’s difficulties with his workmenImprovements in modern machine-toolsTheir perfectionThe engines of “The Warrior”