THE WORKING MAN AS CHIEF INVENTOR.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXIX, Issue 7817, 9 June 1909, Page 1

THE WORKING MAN AS CHIEF INVENTOR.

In a paper which George Frederic Stratton" contributes to "Oassier-s" on the development of the mechanical engineer, there 1 is quoted an address;recently made- betore a convention of Labour delegates, which is perhaps one of; the most interesting passages in'the paper.. The Labour speaker said :- i'o whom can we credit the development of all the great mechanical arts if not to the working'nian 't Did any trained,- professional- engineer - have anything to do with the practical, adoption of steam'for power, the invention of textile machines, or the adaptation of electricity for lighting and driving? George Stephoiison was a' fireman ; Watt''iui • instrument maker ; and ,Newconien, a blacksmith. Arkwright, the inventor of the spinning machine, was a barber-; Jacquard,. of silk-loom fame, a. typefounder.;, < ln our America, Fultonj 'the originator of the'steamboat, Avas-a painter.; Corliss, a self-trained machinist.; -Robert Hoe, the greatest of prin'tihg-press inventors, was a tool maker., We fihd ■•■ it the same with, pioneers, m. ; electricity. . Benjamin. Franklin., was a. printer ; Morse a painter :;' Edison a news seller and telegraph operator-;: Elihu; Thomson, 'a chemist ; Van Depoele, a cabinet ma-: kerl It is true that Brush; and West--inghouse were, mechanical engineers,; but they were not electrical engineers. That, is,the,point I want to make—: that these "^reat industries were' developed by ■men'who were untrained m; them'J ! The--engineer- was 'a development of the, industry, and'-the industry; was initiated by the working man.