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The Century of Inventions of the Marquis of Worcester: from the Original MS., with Historical and Explanatory Notes and a Biographical Memoir — John Shaqi

The Century of Inventions of the Marquis of Worcester: from the Original MS., with Historical and Explanatory Notes and a Biographical MemoirWorcester, Edward Somerset, Marquis of

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The Century of Inventions of the Marquis of Worcester: from the Original MS., with Historical and Explanatory Notes and a Biographical Memoir

Name: The Century of Inventions of the Marquis of Worcester: from the Original MS., with Historical and Explanatory Notes and a Biographical Memoir
Author: Worcester, Edward Somerset, Marquis of

Worcester, Edward Somerset, Marquis of

Industrial arts -- Early works to 1800; Inventions -- Early works to 1800

The next object is to apply what has been advanced to the theory
     of aërial navigation; and the following description will convey
     a just idea of the best method of effecting it. Suppose a sail
     to be made of thin cloth, of a firm texture, containing two
     hundred square feet; and that the weight of the man and the
     apparatus is 200 pounds. Then if the wind blow with a velocity
     of 35 feet per second, in a certain direction, at the same time
     that a cord in that direction sustains a tension of 21 lbs.
     from being fixed to the machine, the whole apparatus will be
     suspended in the air. But it is perfectly indifferent whether
     the wind blow against the plane, or the plane be propelled by
     any means against the air with an unequal velocity. Hence, if
     this machine were drawn forward by the cord under a tension of
     21 lbs. and with a velocity of 35 feet per second, the whole
     would be suspended in an horizontal path. Now, if, instead of
     this cord, any other propelling power were generated in the
     same direction, and with the same intensity, an equivalent
     effect would be produced, and aërial navigation accomplished.
     _Vide Bishop Wilkins's Math. Magic.--Hook's Philosophical
     Collections.--Sir G. Cayley on Aërial Navigation._


No. LXXVIII.

A watch to go constantly, and yet needs no other winding from the
first setting on the cord or chain, unless it be broken, requiring
no other care from one than to be now and then consulted with,
concerning the hour of the day or night; and if it be laid by a week
together, it will not err much; but the oftener looked upon, the
more exact it showeth the time of the day or night.


NOTE.

     For a pocket watch it will be necessary to employ a small
     balance, with a nut attached to its axis and communicating with
     the fusee, the continued vibration of which will, by winding the
     watch, give it nearly all the advantages of a perpetual prime
     mover. Should the time-piece be placed in a fixed case it will
     require a communication between the joint of the door and the
     fusee, and this may likewise be readily applied to the case of a
     hunting watch.

     Mr. Gout's _pedometer_ not only marks the time, but the number
     of paces passed over from one place to another: this is
     accomplished by means of a chain or string passing to the leg
     of the wearer, or to the wheel of a chariot, which is made to
     advance the index hand one division at each elevation of the
     foot: thus, on the same dial, exhibiting, at one view, both time
     and distance. The same pedometer will, by a proper application
     to the saddle, ascertain every pace a horse takes, and it may be
     made to change its performance in a second, should the horse in
     the course of measuring go from one pace to another.


No. LXXIX.

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The Century of Inventions of the Marquis of Worcester: from the Original MS., with Historical and Explanatory Notes and a Biographical Memoir

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