Chapter I: Front Matter

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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