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.
On page 152, Vol. XVII, of the SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, WO published an article on the desirability of an improved window sash fastener, particularly for railway car windows. The one we herewith illustrate seems to meet this requirement perfectly, and is also applicable to other similar cases. It appears to possess in a high degree the qualities of simplicity, cheapness, durability, and effectiveness, beside being easily applied and not unsightly. No mortising or cutting of the window frame or sash is required, the paint or polish of the sash is not defaced or marred, and the device may be applied by any one who can use a screwdriver. It consists of a case, A, of sheet metal, japaned, silvered, or gilded, held to the casing by two screws, as seen. Inside the case is a wedge-shaped key, B, also of sheet metal, clasping a filling of rubber that projects slightly beyond the edges of the metal and bears against the sash. The side of the case, A, toward the sash, is open. The metallic back of the wedge key bears against a friction roller in the lower part of the case, and a portion of it extends below the case and is bent or formed into a thumb-piece, C. This thumb-piece is forraising and disengaging the face of the wedge or key from the sash when the latter is to be lowered. When it is to be raised nothing is necessary but to lift the sash with a force proportioned to its own weight only, as there is no friction in this direction from the wedge. For car windows it seems nothing' pould be contrived to answer the purpose better, and as it requires no particular effort to raise or lower the window and prevents the incessant rattling so annoying to the weak, ill, or nervous, we hope to see it generally adopted by steam and street railway companies. If placed on the sash instead of the window frame it, becomes a secure lock, preventing the opening of the window from "the outside; it may be equally well applied to the upper sash; it costs only $18 per gross, and is susceptible of elegant external form and finish. Patented through the Scientific American Patent Agency, January 1, 1867, by Robert Hutton, Brooklyn, N. Y. Orders should be addressed to the patentee, care " Waterbury Brass Company," First street, near Grand, Williamsburgh, N. Y. Tlie Invention of Lithograpliy. The impatience of a German washerwoman led to the invention of lithography. The history of that elegant art begins with a homely domestic scene, which occurred at Munich about the year 1793, and in which three characters figured,— Madame Senef elder, the poor widow of an excellent actor.then recently deceased; her son, Alois Senefelder, aged twenty-two, a young man of an inventive turn; and the impatient washerwoman just mentioned. The washerwoman had called at the home of this widow for the weekly "wash;" but the " list" was not ready, and the widow asked her son to take it. He looked aliout the room for a piece of paper upon which to write it, without being able to find the least fragment, and he noticed also that his ink was dry. Washerwomen are not apt to be overawed by such customers, and this one certainly did not conceal her impatience while the fruitless search was proceeding. The young man had in the apartment a smooth,soft, cream-colored stone, such as lithographers now use. He had also a mass of paste made of lampblack, wax, soap, and water. In the hurry of the moment, he dashed upon the soft, smooth stone the short list of garments, using for the purpose this awkward lump of oily paste. The washerwoman went off with her small bundle of clothes, peace was restored to the family, and the writing on the stone remained,—Jama* Pmtoii in the Atlantic Monthly.
