Parker's Water Wheel

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.


We have received a letter from J. W. Myers, of Kewaskum, Wis., in which he says, " having frequent claims presented to us for using and building Parker's re-action water wheels, and being at a loss what course to take, or what situation the patent is in, any information you can give us on the subject will confer a favor." We do not know what claims have been presented, nor by whom, consequently we can say nothing about them. If any person were to present a claim against us for the use of the Parker Wheel, we would ask, before witnesses, for the authority on which the claims were based, and decide accordingly. Some agents for Parker's wheel—we do not say all—have neither acted honorable to Mr. Parker,'nor to those from whom they sought to collect money for alleged infringements. Zebulon Parker is a poor man, and from his nature, the very reverse of a driving, money making one, and has never derived sufficient compensation for his water wheel improvements. To Ihose who wish for more information res- pecting his patents—the first and principal one has expired—it may be an advantage to know where Mr. Parker lives; his residence is at La Harpe, Hancock, Co., III.

Scientific American Magazine Vol 8 Issue 46This article was published with the title “Parker's Water Wheel” in Scientific American Magazine Vol. 8 No. 46 (), p. 365
doi:10.1038/scientificamerican07301853-365c

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