A Mountain Borer

Join Our Community of Science Lovers!


On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.


An invention which promises to be one ot the greatest utility is described in the '? Hartford (Conn ) Times. It is a machine for boring tunnels, the work of a Mr. E. Talbot, a practical mechanic, who states that in the rapidity and completeness of its execution, it will surpass every instrument of the kind yet conceived. Worked into its own machinery is an engine of sixty horse-power, which drives four piston rods, horizontally, and these turn four halt circle plates, of stout proportions, furnished with circular revolving blades. These four plates are turned with exactness about one-fourth of a circle and back, and are all set upon a revolving plate of about ten teet in diameter, and as thus set, cut a circle of seventeen feet in diameter. The machine weighs about eighty tons. The motion obtained by this invention is novel—entirely new. By it the revolving knives, each running its quarter circle, cut completely from the centre to the circumference, and they do their work steadily and surely, cutting a round hole with astonishing celerity.

Scientific American Magazine Vol 8 Issue 48This article was published with the title “A Mountain Borer” in Scientific American Magazine Vol. 8 No. 48 (), p. 380
doi:10.1038/scientificamerican08131853-380h

It’s Time to Stand Up for Science

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.

I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.

If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.

In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.

There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.

Thank you,

David M. Ewalt, Editor in Chief, Scientific American

Subscribe