Only $ 18.00

Only $ 55.00

b. October 13, 1752 and d. November 18, 1791

Swiss mechanician. He was the son of Peter Jaquet Droz and surpassed even his father. Among his inventions were a drawing figure and a figure of a woman playing on the piano. The player followed the notes with the head and eyes, got up when it had finished playing and made an obeisance to the company.

As we surpass our father’s skill,
Our sons will shame our own;
A thousand things are hidden still,
And not a hundred known.

—Mechanophilus

Now the world’s in need of artisans, who also use their brains
In diffusing useful knowledge into every line of trade,
For uncouth and careless workmen have no thought of taking pains,
Though the highest price is given for the best that can be made.
In the labor of the household, field or factory thou wilt find
That the brain e’er guides the motion of the hand possessing skill,
Thus improving every faculty of body, soul and mind
And enabling honest workmen every duty to fulfill.
There is dignity in doing well whate’er we have to do;
Let us magnify our calling by example good and true.

—The Dignity of Labor: Charles W. Scarff

1783—Francis Richards invented and patented the air-cushion door-spring. He also invented the envelope machine, which prints, folds, gums, counts, and bands automatically 80,000 letter-envelopes per day. He also invented the automatic weighing machine for weighing all kinds of granular materials.