[Illustration: _The Sun-Motor used on the Pasadena Ostrich-farm, California. It works a pump capable of delivering 1,400 gallons per minute._ [_See pp. 210, 211._] ] THE ROMANCE OF MODERN INVENTION CONTAINING INTERESTING DESCRIPTIONS IN NON-TECHNICAL LANGUAGE OF WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY, LIQUID AIR, MODERN ARTILLERY, SUBMARINES, DIRIGIBLE TORPEDOES, SOLAR MOTORS, AIRSHIPS, _&c. &c._ BY ARCHIBALD WILLIAMS AUTHOR OF “THE ROMANCE OF MODERN MECHANISM” “THE ROMANCE OF MODERN ENGINEERING” _&c. &c._ WITH TWENTY-FIVE ILLUSTRATIONS LONDON SEELEY AND CO. LIMITED 38 GREAT RUSSELL STREET 1907 Preface The object of this book is to set before young people in a bright and interesting way, and without the use of technical language, accounts of some of the latest phases of modern invention; and also to introduce them to recent discoveries of which the full development is yet to be witnessed. The author gratefully acknowledges the help given him as regards both literary matter and illustrations by:--Mr. Cuthbert Hall (the Marconi Wireless Telegraphy Co.); Mr. William Sugg; Mr. Hans Knudsen; Mr. F. C. B. Cole; Mr. E. J. Ryves; Mr. Anton Pollak; the Telautograph Co.; the Parsons Steam Turbine Co.; the Monotype Co.; the Biograph Co.; the Locomobile Co.; the Speedwell Motor Co. _September 1902._ Contents WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY HIGH-SPEED TELEGRAPHY THE TELEPHONE--WIRELESS TELEPHONY THE PHONOGRAPH--THE HOTOGRAPHOPHONE--THE TELEPHONOGRAPH THE TELAUTOGRAPH MODERN ARTILLERY--RIFLES--MACHINE GUNS--HEAVY ORDNANCE--EXPLOSIVES--IN THE GUN FACTORY DIRIGIBLE TORPEDOES SUBMARINE BOATS ANIMATED PICTURES THE GREAT PARIS TELESCOPE PHOTOGRAPHING THE INVISIBLE--PHOTOGRAPHY IN THE DARK SOLAR MOTORS LIQUID AIR HORSELESS CARRIAGES HIGH-SPEED RAILWAYS SEA EXPRESSES MECHANICAL FLIGHT TYPE-SETTING BY MACHINERY PHOTOGRAPHY IN COLOURS LIGHTING List of Illustrations THE SUN MOTOR USED ON THE PASADENA OSTRICH-FARM A CORNER OF MR. MARCONI’S CABIN MR. MARCONI’S TRAVELLING STATION THE POLDHU TOWER GUGLIELMO MARCONI HIGH-SPEED TELEGRAPHY: A RECEIVING INSTRUMENT HIGH-SPEED TELEGRAPHY. SPECIMEN OF PUNCHED TAPE A UNIQUE GROUP OF PHONOGRAPHS THE TELAUTOGRAPH: RECEIVER AND TRANSMITTER THE TELAUTOGRAPH, SHOWING THE PRINCIPAL PARTS THE TELAUTOGRAPH, SPECIMEN OF THE WORK DONE THE SIMMS ARMOUR-CLAD MOTOR CAR THE “HOLLAND” SUBMARINE BOAT AN INTERIOR VIEW OF THE “HOLLAND” THE “HOLLAND” SUBMARINE IN THE LAST STAGES OF SUBMERSION THE GREAT PARIS TELESCOPE THE LIQUID AIR COMPANY’S FACTORY AT PIMLICO M. SERPOLLET ON THE “EASTER EGG” A MOTOR CAR DRIVEN BY LIQUID AIR DIAGRAM OF LIQUID AIR MOTOR CAR H.M.S. TORPEDO DESTROYER “VIPER” AIRSHIP OF M. SANTOS-DUMONT ROUNDING THE EIFFEL TOWER