b. February 26, 1786 and d. October 2, 1853

French astronomer and natural philosopher. He advocated and made some discoveries in the science of electro-magnetism, undulatory theory of light, and he showed that there is no substance which is not capable, under certain conditions, of exhibiting signs of the magnetic virtue, and he proved that the best magnet is a bar of steel enclosed by a helix of copper wire.

Such earnest natures are the fiery pith,
The compact nucleus, round which systems grow!
Mass after mass becomes inspired therewith,
And whirls impregnate with the central glow.-

High worth is elevated place; ’tis more;
It makes the post stand candidate for thee;
Makes more than monarchs, makes an honest man!
Tho’ no exchequer it commands, ’tis wealth;
And tho’ it wears no ribbon, ’tis renown;
Renown, that would not quit thee, tho’ disgraced,
Nor leave thee pendent on a master’s smile.

—Night Thoughts: Young

1837—The telegraphs of Dr. Steinheil became known. Morse claims to be the first inventor of a practical electric telegraph.

1837—The length of telegraphic communication established at Munich by Dr. Steinheil was an important practical advance in the system of extending wires.

1850, August 28—The first attempt to establish a submarine circuit between Dover and Calais took place.

Only $ 88.00

b. October 1, 1826 and d. February 14, 1885

American inventor. In 1856 he designed a rifle field-gun; in 1860 he submitted to the United States Government an improved system of rifling-belt and percussion fuse for projectiles; he invented an improved metallic cartridge case as a substitute for the paper-case then used in the French army; he made a revolving cannon which was adopted in Germany, Holland, Denmark, Russia, Italy, Austria, Chile, China, Norway and the United States; in 1875 he invented a magazine rifle and in 1882 a quick-firing gun which has since been adopted in France, England and the United States. At the time of his death he had the reputation of being the first artillery engineer in the world.

Grave men they were, and battlings of fierce thought
Had trampled out all softness from their brows,
And ploughed rough furrows there before their time,
For other crop than such as homebred Peace
Sows broadcast in the willing soil of youth.
Care, not of self, but for the commonweal
Had robbed their eyes of youth, and left instead
A look of patient power and iron will,
And something fiercer, too, that gave broad hint
Of the plain weapons station’d at their sides.

—A Glance Behind the Curtain: Lowell

1820-30—Percussion caps came into use.

1839—Christian F. Schonbein discovered ozone at Basel and in 1845 guncotton and collodion.