The Man with an Idea

He who wishes to fulfil his mission must be a man of one idea, that is, of one great overmastering purpose, over shadowing all his aims, and guiding and controlling his entire life.—BATE.

A man who wishes to fulfill his mission must have one great, overriding purpose. That purpose must overshadow all his aims and guide and control his entire life. BATE.

A healthful hunger for a great idea is the beauty and blessedness of life.—JEAN INGELOW.

A healthy hunger for a great idea is the beauty and blessing of life. JEAN INGELOW.

A profound conviction raises a man above the feeling of ridicule.—J. STUART MILL.

A deep conviction lifts a man above the fear of ridicule. J. STUART MILL.

Ideas go booming through the world louder than cannon. Thoughts are mightier than armies. Principles have achieved more victories than horsemen or chariots.—W. M. PAXTON.

Ideas echo around the world louder than cannons. Thoughts are more powerful than armies. Principles have won more victories than horsemen or chariots. W. M. PAXTON.

"What are you bothering yourselves with a knitting machine for?" asked Ari Davis, of Boston, a manufacturer of instruments; "why don't you make a sewing-machine?" His advice had been sought by a rich man and an inventor who had reached their wits' ends in the vain attempt to produce a device for knitting woolen goods. "I wish I could, but it can't be done." "Oh, yes it can," said Davis; "I can make one myself." "Well," the capitalist replied, "you do it, and I'll insure you an independent fortune." The words of Davis were uttered in a spirit of jest, but the novel idea found lodgment in the mind of one of the workmen who stood by, a mere youth of twenty, who was thought not capable of a serious idea.

"Why are you bothering with a knitting machine?" asked Ari Davis, a Boston instrument maker. "Why don't you make a sewing machine?" A wealthy man and an inventor had asked Davis for advice. They had exhausted every idea in their unsuccessful attempt to make a machine for knitting woolen goods. "I wish I could, but it can't be done." "Oh, yes it can," said Davis. "I can make one myself." "Well," the wealthy man replied, "you do it, and I'll guarantee you a fortune to live on." Davis was joking, but the new idea took hold in the mind of a worker standing nearby. He was only twenty, and people thought him incapable of a serious thought.

But Elias Howe was not so rattle-headed as he seemed, and the more he reflected, the more desirable such a machine appeared to him. Four years passed, and with a wife and three children to support in a great city on a salary of nine dollars a week, the light-hearted boy had become a thoughtful, plodding man. The thought of the sewing-machine haunted him night and day, and he finally resolved to produce one.

But Elias Howe was not as scatterbrained as he seemed. The more he thought about a sewing machine, the more desirable it seemed. Four years passed. The lighthearted boy had become a thoughtful, hardworking man. He had a wife and three children to support in a large city on nine dollars a week. The thought of the sewing machine haunted him day and night, and he finally resolved to build one.

After months wasted in the effort to work a needle pointed at both ends, with the eye in the middle, that should pass up and down through the cloth, suddenly the thought flashed through his mind that another stitch must be possible, and with almost insane devotion he worked night and day, until he had made a rough model of wood and wire that convinced him of ultimate success. In his mind's eye he saw his idea, but his own funds and those of his father, who had aided him more or less, were insufficient to embody it in a working machine. But help came from an old schoolmate, George Fisher, a coal and wood merchant of Cambridge. He agreed to board Elias and his family and furnish five hundred dollars, for which he was to have one-half of the patent, if the machine proved to be worth patenting. In May, 1845, the machine was completed, and in July Elias Howe sewed all the seams of two suits of woolen clothes, one for Mr. Fisher and the other for himself. The sewing outlasted the cloth. This machine, which is still preserved, will sew three hundred stitches a minute, and is considered more nearly perfect than any other prominent invention at its first trial. There is not one of the millions of sewing-machines now in use that does not contain some of the essential principles of this first attempt.

For months, Elias Howe had wasted his efforts on a needle pointed at both ends, with the eye in the middle. He had tried to make it pass up and down through the cloth. Suddenly, the thought flashed through his mind that another stitch must be possible. With almost frantic devotion, he worked night and day. Finally, he made a rough model of wood and wire that convinced him he would eventually succeed. He could picture his idea, but neither he nor his father, who had helped him as much as he could, had enough money to turn it into a working machine. Help came from an old schoolmate, George Fisher, a coal and wood merchant in Cambridge. Fisher agreed to house and feed Elias and his family and provide five hundred dollars. In return, he would receive half the patent if the machine proved worth patenting. The machine was completed in May 1845. In July, Elias Howe sewed all the seams of two woolen suits, one for Mr. Fisher and one for himself. The stitching outlasted the cloth. The machine is still preserved. It can sew three hundred stitches a minute and is considered more nearly perfect than any other major invention at its first trial. Every one of the millions of sewing machines now in use contains some of the essential principles of this first attempt.

When it was decided to try and elevate Chicago out of the mud by raising its immense blocks up to grade, the young son of a poor mechanic, named George M. Pullman, appeared on the scene, and put in a bid for the great undertaking, and the contract was awarded to him. He not only raised the blocks, but did it in such a way that business within them was scarcely interrupted. All this time he was revolving in his mind his pet project of building a "sleeping car" which would be adopted on all railroads. He fitted up two old cars on the Chicago and Alton road with berths, and soon found they would be in demand. He then went to work on the principle that the more luxurious his cars were, the greater would be the demand for them. After spending three years in Colorado gold mines, he returned and built two cars which cost $18,000 each. Everybody laughed at "Pullman's folly." But Pullman believed that whatever relieved the tediousness of long trips would meet with speedy approval, and he had faith enough in his idea to risk his all in it.

Chicago decided to raise its huge blocks of buildings to street level, lifting the city out of the mud. George M. Pullman, the young son of a poor mechanic, came forward and bid for the enormous job. He won the contract. He raised the blocks in a way that hardly interrupted business inside them. All this time, Pullman was thinking about his favorite project: building a "sleeping car" that all railroads would adopt. He fitted two old cars on the Chicago and Alton railroad with berths. He soon found that people would want them. He then set to work on the principle that the more luxurious his cars were, the greater the demand would be. After spending three years in the Colorado gold mines, he returned and built two cars costing $18,000 each. Everyone laughed at "Pullman's folly." But Pullman believed that anything that made long trips less tedious would quickly win approval. He had enough faith in his idea to risk everything he had on it.

Pullman was a great believer in the commercial value of beauty. The wonderful town which he built and which bears his name, as well as his magnificent cars, is an example of his belief in this principle. He counts it a good investment to surround his employees with comforts and beauty and good sanitary conditions, and so the town of Pullman is a model of cleanliness, order, and comfort.

Pullman strongly believed that beauty had commercial value. His belief is evident in his magnificent cars and the wonderful town he built, which bears his name. He considers it a good investment to provide his employees with comfort, beauty, and good sanitary conditions. As a result, the town of Pullman is a model of cleanliness, order, and comfort.

It has ever been the man with an idea, which he puts into practical effect, who has changed the face of Christendom. The germ idea of the steam engine can be seen in the writings of the Greek philosophers, but it was not developed until more than two thousand years later.

It has always been the man who puts an idea into practice who has changed the face of Christendom. The early idea of the steam engine appears in the writings of Greek philosophers. But it was not developed until more than two thousand years later.

It was an English blacksmith, Newcomen, with no opportunities, who in the seventeenth century conceived the idea of moving a piston by the elastic force of steam; but his engine consumed thirty pounds of coal in producing one horse power. The perfection of the modern engine is largely due to James Watt, a poor, uneducated Scotch boy, who at fifteen walked the streets of London in a vain search for work. A professor in the Glasgow University gave him the use of a room to work in, and while waiting for jobs he experimented with old vials for steam reservoirs and hollow canes for pipes, for he could not bear to waste a moment. He improved Newcomen's engine by cutting off the steam after the piston had completed a quarter or a third of its stroke, and letting the steam already in the chamber expand and drive the piston the remaining distance. This saved nearly three-fourths of the steam. Watt suffered from pinching poverty and hardships which would have disheartened ordinary men; but he was terribly in earnest, and his brave wife Margaret begged him not to mind her inconvenience, nor be discouraged. "If the engine will not work," she wrote him while struggling in London, "something else will. Never despair."

Newcomen was an English blacksmith with no opportunities. In the seventeenth century, he conceived the idea of using the expansive force of steam to move a piston. But his engine burned thirty pounds of coal to produce one horsepower. The excellence of the modern engine is largely due to James Watt, a poor, uneducated Scottish boy. At fifteen, Watt walked the streets of London, searching in vain for work. A professor at Glasgow University gave him a room to work in. While waiting for jobs, Watt experimented with old vials as steam reservoirs and hollow canes as pipes. He could not bear to waste a moment. Watt improved Newcomen's engine by cutting off the steam after the piston had completed a quarter or a third of its stroke. He then let the steam already in the chamber expand and drive the piston the rest of the way. This saved nearly three-fourths of the steam. Watt suffered from crushing poverty and hardships that would have discouraged ordinary men. But he was intensely determined, and his brave wife Margaret begged him not to worry about her discomfort or lose heart. While he was struggling in London, she wrote to him, "If the engine will not work, something else will. Never despair."

"I had gone to take a walk," said Watt, "on a fine Sabbath afternoon, and had passed the old washing-house, thinking upon the engine at the time, when the idea came into my head that, as steam is an elastic body, it would rush into a vacuum, and if a communication were made between the cylinder and an exhausted vessel, it would rush into it, and might be there condensed without cooling the cylinder." The idea was simple, but in it lay the germ of the first steam engine of much practical value. Sir James Mackintosh places this poor Scotch boy who began with only an idea "at the head of all inventors in all ages and all nations."

"I had gone for a walk," said Watt, "on a fine Sunday afternoon. I had passed the old washing-house and was thinking about the engine when an idea came to me. Steam expands, so it would rush into a vacuum. If the cylinder were connected to a vessel emptied of air, the steam would rush into it. The steam could then be condensed there without cooling the cylinder." The idea was simple, but it contained the seed of the first steam engine of great practical value. Sir James Mackintosh places this poor Scottish boy, who began with only an idea, "at the head of all inventors in all ages and all nations."

See George Stephenson, working in the coal pits for sixpence a day, patching the clothes and mending the boots of his fellow-workmen at night, to earn a little money to attend a night school, giving the first money he ever earned, $150, to his blind father to pay his debts. People say he is crazy; his "roaring steam engine will set the house on fire with its sparks"; "smoke will pollute the air"; "carriage makers and coachmen will starve for want of work." For three days the committee of the House of Commons plies questions to him. This was one of them: "If a cow get on the track of the engine traveling ten miles an hour, will it not be an awkward situation?" "Yes, very awkward, indeed, for the coo," replied Stephenson. A government inspector said that if a locomotive ever went ten miles an hour, he would undertake to eat a stewed engine for breakfast.

See George Stephenson working in the coal mines for sixpence a day. At night, he patches his fellow workers’ clothes and mends their boots to earn money for night school. He gives the first money he ever earned, $150, to his blind father to pay his debts. People say he is crazy. They say his "roaring steam engine will set the house on fire with its sparks." They say "smoke will pollute the air" and "carriage makers and coachmen will starve for lack of work." For three days, a House of Commons committee questions him. One question is: "If a cow gets on the track of an engine traveling ten miles an hour, won’t that be an awkward situation?" "Yes, very awkward, indeed, for the cow," replies Stephenson. A government inspector said that if a locomotive ever went ten miles an hour, he would eat a stewed engine for breakfast.

"What can be more palpably absurd and ridiculous than the prospect held out of locomotives traveling twice as fast as horses?" asked a writer in the English "Quarterly Review" for March, 1825. "We should as soon expect the people of Woolwich to suffer themselves to be fired off upon one of Congreve's rockets as to trust themselves to the mercy of such a machine, going at such a rate. We trust that Parliament will, in all the railways it may grant, limit the speed to eight or nine miles an hour, which we entirely agree with Mr. Sylvester is as great as can be ventured upon." This article referred to Stephenson's proposition to use his newly invented locomotive instead of horses on the Liverpool and Manchester Railroad, then in process of construction.

"What could be more obviously absurd and ridiculous than the idea of locomotives traveling twice as fast as horses?" asked a writer in the English "Quarterly Review" in March 1825. "We would sooner expect the people of Woolwich to let themselves be fired from one of Congreve's rockets. That seems as likely as their trusting themselves to such a machine traveling at such a speed. We hope Parliament will limit the speed to eight or nine miles an hour on all the railways it may authorize. We entirely agree with Mr. Sylvester that this is the highest speed that can be safely attempted." The article referred to Stephenson's proposal to use his newly invented locomotive instead of horses on the Liverpool and Manchester Railroad. The railroad was then under construction.

The company decided to lay the matter before two leading English engineers, who reported that steam would be desirable only when used in stationary engines one and a half miles apart, drawing the cars by means of ropes and pulleys. But Stephenson persuaded them to test his idea by offering a prize of about twenty-five hundred dollars for the best locomotive produced at a trial to take place October 6, 1829.

The company decided to ask two leading English engineers for their opinion. They said steam would be useful only in stationary engines spaced one and a half miles apart. These engines would pull the cars using ropes and pulleys. But Stephenson persuaded the company to test his idea. They offered a prize of about twenty-five hundred dollars for the best locomotive at a trial on October 6, 1829.

On the eventful day, thousands of spectators assembled to watch the competition of four engines, the "Novelty," the "Rocket," the "Perseverance," and the "Sanspareil." The "Perseverance" could make but six miles an hour, and so was ruled out, as the conditions called for at least ten. The "Sanspareil" made an average of fourteen miles an hour, but as it burst a water-pipe it lost its chance. The "Novelty" did splendidly, but also burst a pipe, and was crowded out, leaving the "Rocket" to carry off the honors with an average speed of fifteen miles an hour, the highest rate attained being twenty-nine. This was Stephenson's locomotive, and so fully vindicated his theory that the idea of stationary engines on a railroad was completely exploded. He had picked up the fixed engines which the genius of Watt had devised, and set them on wheels to draw men and merchandise, against the most direful predictions of the foremost engineers of his day.

On the eventful day, thousands of spectators gathered to watch four engines compete: the "Novelty," the "Rocket," the "Perseverance," and the "Sanspareil." The "Perseverance" could reach only six miles an hour, so it was ruled out. The conditions required a speed of at least ten miles an hour. The "Sanspareil" averaged fourteen miles an hour, but it burst a water pipe and lost its chance. The "Novelty" performed splendidly, but it too burst a pipe and was eliminated. That left the "Rocket" to take the honors. It averaged fifteen miles an hour and reached a top speed of twenty-nine. The "Rocket" was Stephenson's locomotive. Its performance so completely proved his theory that it put an end to the idea of stationary engines on a railroad. He had taken the stationary engines devised by Watt's genius and put them on wheels to carry people and goods. He did this despite the direst predictions of the leading engineers of his day.

In all the records of invention there is no more sad or affecting story than that of John Fitch. Poor he was in many senses, poor in appearance, poor in spirit. He was born poor, lived poor, and died poor. If there ever was a true inventor, this man was one. He was one of those eager souls that would coin their own flesh to carry their point. He only uttered the obvious truth when he said one day, in a crisis of his invention, that if he could get one hundred pounds by cutting off one of his legs he would gladly give it to the knife.

In all the records of invention, no story is sadder or more moving than John Fitch’s. He was poor in many ways, poor in appearance and poor in spirit. He was born poor, lived poor, and died poor. If there ever was a true inventor, he was one. He was one of those passionate people who would sacrifice their own flesh to achieve their goal. During a crisis in his work, he said he would gladly cut off a leg for one hundred pounds. He was only stating the obvious truth.

He tried in vain both in this country and in France to get money to build his steamboat. He would say: "You and I will not live to see the day, but the time will come when the steamboat will be preferred to all other modes of conveyance, when steamboats will ascend the Western rivers from New Orleans to Wheeling, and when steamboats will cross the ocean. Johnny Fitch will be forgotten, but other men will carry out his ideas and grow rich and great upon them."

He tried without success to raise money to build his steamboat, both in this country and in France. He would say: "You and I will not live to see it, but the day will come when steamboats are preferred to all other forms of transportation. Steamboats will travel up the Western rivers from New Orleans to Wheeling, and they will cross the ocean. Johnny Fitch will be forgotten, but other men will carry out his ideas and become rich and great from them."

Poor, ragged, forlorn, jeered at, pitied as a madman, discouraged by the great, refused by the rich, he kept on till, in 1790, he had the first vessel on the Delaware that ever answered the purpose of a steamboat. It ran six miles an hour against the tide, and eight miles with it.

He was poor, ragged, and miserable. People mocked him and pitied him as a madman. The powerful discouraged him, and the rich turned him away. Still, he kept going. In 1790, he built the first vessel on the Delaware that worked as a steamboat. It traveled six miles an hour against the tide and eight miles an hour with it.

At noon, on Friday, August 4, 1807, a crowd of curious people might have been seen along the wharves of the Hudson River. They had gathered to witness what they considered a ridiculous failure of a "crank" who proposed to take a party of people up the Hudson River to Albany in what he called a steam vessel named the Clermont. Did anybody ever hear of such a ridiculous idea as navigating against the current up the Hudson in a vessel without sails? "The thing will 'bust,'" says one; "it will burn up," says another, and "they will all be drowned," exclaims a third, as he sees vast columns of black smoke shoot up with showers of brilliant sparks. Nobody present, in all probability, ever heard of a boat going by steam. It was the opinion of everybody that the man who had tooled away his money and his time on the Clermont was little better than an idiot, and ought to be in an insane asylum. But the passengers go on board, the plank is pulled in, and the steam is turned on. The walking beam moves slowly up and down, and the Clermont floats out into the river. "It can never go up stream," the spectators persist. But it did go up stream, and the boy, who in his youth said there is nothing impossible, had scored a great triumph, and had given to the world the first steamboat that had any practical value.

At noon on Friday, August 4, 1807, a crowd of curious people stood along the wharves of the Hudson River. They had gathered to watch what they expected to be the ridiculous failure of a "crank." He proposed to take a group of people up the Hudson River to Albany in a steam vessel he called the Clermont. Had anyone ever heard of such a ridiculous idea as traveling against the Hudson's current in a vessel without sails? "The thing will 'bust,'" says one. "It will burn up," says another. "They will all be drowned," exclaims a third, seeing huge columns of black smoke shoot up with showers of brilliant sparks. Probably no one there had ever heard of a boat powered by steam. Everyone thought the man who had wasted his money and time on the Clermont was little better than an idiot and belonged in an insane asylum. But the passengers board, the plank is pulled in, and the steam is turned on. The walking beam moves slowly up and down, and the Clermont floats out into the river. "It can never go up stream," the spectators insist. But it did go upstream. The boy who had said in his youth that nothing was impossible had achieved a great triumph. He had given the world the first steamboat with any practical value.

Notwithstanding that Fulton had rendered such great service to humanity, a service which has revolutionized the commerce of the world, he was looked upon by many as a public enemy. Critics and cynics turned up their noses when Fulton was mentioned. The severity of the world's censure, ridicule, and detraction has usually been in proportion to the benefit the victim has conferred upon mankind.

Although Fulton had done humanity a great service, many saw him as a public enemy. His work had revolutionized commerce around the world. Critics and cynics turned up their noses at the mention of Fulton. The more someone has benefited humanity, the more harshly the world has usually criticized, ridiculed, and disparaged that person.

As the Clermont burned pine wood, dense columns of fire and smoke belched forth from her smoke-stack while she glided triumphantly up the river, and the inhabitants along the banks were utterly unable to account for the spectacle. They rushed to the shore amazed to see a boat "on fire" go against the stream so rapidly with neither oars nor sails. The noise of her great paddle-wheels increased the wonder. Sailors forsook their vessels, and fishermen rowed home as fast as possible to get out of the way of the fire monster. The Indians were as much frightened as their predecessors were when the first ship approached their hunting-ground on Manhattan Island. The owners of sailing vessels were jealous of the Clermont, and tried to run her down. Others whose interests were affected denied Fulton's claim to the invention and brought suits against him. But the success of the Clermont soon led to the construction of other steamships all over the country. The government employed Fulton to aid in building a powerful steam frigate, which was called Fulton the First. He also built a diving boat for the government for the discharge of torpedoes. By this time his fame had spread all over the civilized world, and when he died, in 1815, newspapers were marked with black lines; the legislature of New York wore badges of mourning; and minute guns were fired as the long funeral procession passed to old Trinity churchyard. Very few private persons were ever honored with such a burial.

The Clermont burned pine wood, sending thick columns of fire and smoke from her smokestack. As she sailed triumphantly up the river, people along the banks could not explain what they saw. They rushed to the shore, amazed to see a boat "on fire" moving so quickly against the current. It had neither oars nor sails. The sound of her huge paddle wheels added to their wonder. Sailors abandoned their vessels, and fishermen rowed home as fast as they could to escape the fire monster. The Indians were just as frightened as their predecessors had been when the first ship approached their hunting ground on Manhattan Island. The owners of sailing vessels were jealous of the Clermont and tried to run her down. Others whose interests were affected denied that Fulton had invented the steamship and sued him. But the success of the Clermont soon led to the construction of other steamships all over the country. The government hired Fulton to help build a powerful steam frigate called Fulton the First. He also built a diving boat for the government to launch torpedoes. By this time, Fulton's fame had spread throughout the civilized world. When he died in 1815, newspapers printed black lines as a sign of mourning. Members of the New York legislature wore mourning badges, and guns were fired at one-minute intervals as the long funeral procession passed to old Trinity churchyard. Very few private citizens have ever been honored with such a burial.

True, Dr. Lardner had "proved" to scientific men that a steamship could not cross the Atlantic, but in 1810 the Savannah from New York appeared off the coast of Ireland under sail and steam, having made this "impossible" passage. Those on shore thought that a fire had broken out below the decks, and a king's cutter was sent to her relief. Although the voyage was made without accident, it was nearly twenty years before it was admitted that steam navigation could be made a commercial success in ocean traffic.

True, Dr. Lardner had "proved" to scientists that a steamship could not cross the Atlantic. But in 1810, the Savannah arrived off the coast of Ireland from New York, using both sails and steam. It had made this "impossible" crossing. People on shore thought a fire had broken out below deck, and a royal cutter was sent to help. Although the voyage was completed without an accident, nearly twenty years passed before steam navigation was accepted as commercially viable for ocean traffic.

As Junius Smith impatiently paced the deck of a vessel sailing from an English port to New York, on a rough and tedious voyage in 1832, he said to himself, "Why not cross the ocean regularly in steamships?" In New York and in London a deaf ear was turned to any such nonsense. Smith's first encouragement came from George Grote, the historian and banker, who said the idea was practicable; but it was the same old story,—he would risk no money in it. At length Isaac Selby, a prominent business man of London, agreed to build a steamship of two thousand tons, the British Queen. An unexpected delay in fitting the engines led the projectors to charter the Sirius, a river steamer of seven hundred tons, and send her to New York. Learning of this, other parties started from Bristol four days later in the Great Western, and both vessels arrived at New York the same day. Soon after Smith made the round trip between London and New York in thirty-two days.

In 1832, Junius Smith was sailing from an English port to New York on a rough, long voyage. As he paced the deck impatiently, he said to himself, "Why not cross the ocean regularly in steamships?" In New York and London, no one would listen to such nonsense. Smith's first encouragement came from George Grote, the historian and banker. Grote said the idea was practical, but it was the same old story: he would risk no money on it. At last, Isaac Selby, a prominent London businessman, agreed to build a two-thousand-ton steamship, the British Queen. An unexpected delay in installing the engines led those behind the project to charter the Sirius, a seven-hundred-ton river steamer, and send her to New York. When others learned of this, they set out from Bristol four days later in the Great Western. Both ships arrived in New York on the same day. Soon afterward, Smith made the round trip between London and New York in thirty-two days.

What a sublime picture of determination and patience was that of Charles Goodyear, of New Haven, buried in poverty and struggling with hardships for eleven long years, to make India rubber of practical use! See him in prison for debt; pawning his clothes and his wife's jewelry to get a little money to keep his children (who were obliged to gather sticks in the field for fire) from starving. Watch his sublime courage and devotion to his idea, when he had no money to bury a dead child and when his other five were near starvation; when his neighbors were harshly criticizing him for his neglect of his family and calling him insane. But, behold his vulcanized rubber; the result of that heroic struggle, applied to over five hundred uses by 100,000 employees.

What an inspiring picture of determination and patience Charles Goodyear of New Haven presented! For eleven long years, he lived in poverty and struggled through hardship to make India rubber practical. See him in prison for debt. He pawned his clothes and his wife's jewelry to get a little money to keep his children from starving. The children had to gather sticks in the fields for a fire. See his extraordinary courage and devotion to his idea. He had no money to bury a dead child, and his other five children were near starvation. His neighbors harshly criticized him for neglecting his family and called him insane. But look at his vulcanized rubber, the result of that heroic struggle. It was put to over five hundred uses by 100,000 employees.

What a pathetic picture was that of Palissy, plodding on through want and woe to rediscover the lost art of enameling pottery; building his furnaces with bricks carried on his back, seeing his six children die of neglect, probably of starvation, his wife in rags and despair over her husband's "folly"; despised by his neighbors for neglecting his family, worn to a skeleton himself, giving his clothes to his hired man because he could not pay him in money, hoping always, failing steadily, until at last his great work was accomplished, and he reaped his reward.

What a heartbreaking sight Palissy was as he struggled through poverty and hardship to rediscover the lost art of enameling pottery. He built his furnaces with bricks he carried on his back. He saw his six children die from neglect, probably from starvation. His wife was in rags and despair over her husband's "folly." His neighbors despised him for neglecting his family, and he himself was worn down to a skeleton. He gave his clothes to his hired man because he could not pay him in money. He kept hoping and failing until, at last, he completed his great work and received his reward.

German unity was the idea engraven upon Bismarck's heart. What cared this herculean despot for the Diet chosen year after year simply to vote down every measure he proposed? He was indifferent to all opposition. He simply defied and sent home every Diet which opposed him. He could play the game alone. To make Germany the greatest power in Europe, to make William of Prussia a greater potentate than Napoleon or Alexander, was his all-absorbing purpose. It mattered not what stood in his way, whether people, Diet, or nation; all must bend to his mighty will. Germany must hold the deciding voice in the Areopagus of the world. He rode roughshod over everybody and everything that stood in his way, defiant of opposition, imperious, irrepressible!

German unity was the idea engraved on Bismarck's heart. Why would this mighty despot care about the Diet? Year after year, it was elected only to vote down every measure he proposed. He was indifferent to all opposition. He simply defied and dismissed every Diet that opposed him. He could play the game alone. His all-consuming purpose was to make Germany the greatest power in Europe. He wanted to make William of Prussia a greater ruler than Napoleon or Alexander. It did not matter what stood in his way, whether people, Diet, or nation. All had to bend to his mighty will. Germany had to have the deciding voice in the council of the world. He rode roughshod over everyone and everything in his path, defiant of opposition, commanding, unstoppable!

See the great Dante in exile, condemned to be burnt alive on false charges of embezzlement. Look at his starved features, gaunt form, melancholy, a poor wanderer; but he never gave up his idea; he poured out his very soul into his immortal poem, ever believing that right would at last triumph.

Consider the great Dante in exile, sentenced to be burned alive on false charges of embezzlement. Look at his starved face and gaunt body. He was a sad, poor wanderer, but he never gave up on his idea. He poured his very soul into his immortal poem, always believing that right would triumph in the end.

Columbus was exposed to continual scoffs and indignities, being ridiculed as a mere dreamer and stigmatized as an adventurer. The very children, it is said, pointed to their foreheads as he passed, being taught to regard him as a kind of madman.

Columbus faced constant mockery and insults. People laughed at him as a mere dreamer and labeled him an adventurer. It is said that even children pointed to their foreheads as he passed. They had been taught to see him as a kind of madman.

An American was once invited to dine with Oken, the famous German naturalist. To his surprise, they had neither meats nor dessert, but only baked potatoes. Oken was too great a man to apologize for their simple fare. His wife explained, however, that her husband's income was very small, and that they preferred to live simply in order that he might obtain books and instruments for his scientific researches.

An American was once invited to dinner with Oken, the famous German naturalist. To his surprise, they had only baked potatoes, with no meat or dessert. Oken was too great a man to apologize for the simple meal. His wife explained, however, that his income was very small. They preferred to live simply so he could buy books and instruments for his scientific research.

Before the discovery of ether it often took a week, in some cases a month, to recover from the enormous dose, sometimes five hundred drops of laudanum, given to a patient to deaden the pain during a surgical operation. Young Dr. Morton believed that there must be some means provided by Nature to relieve human suffering during these terrible operations; but what could he do? He was not a chemist; he did not know the properties of chemical substances; he was not liberally educated.

Before ether was discovered, patients were given enormous doses of laudanum to deaden the pain of surgery. Sometimes the dose was as much as five hundred drops. Recovery from the dose often took a week, and in some cases a month. Young Dr. Morton believed that Nature must provide some way to relieve human suffering during these terrible operations. But what could he do? He was not a chemist. He did not know the properties of chemical substances, and he had not received a broad education.

Dr. Morton did not resort to books, however, nor did he go to scientific men for advice, but immediately began to experiment with well-known substances. He tried intoxicants even to the point of intoxication, but as soon as the instruments were applied the patient would revive. He kept on experimenting with narcotics in this manner until at last he found what he sought in ether.

Dr. Morton did not turn to books or ask scientists for advice. Instead, he immediately began experimenting with familiar substances. He tried intoxicants, even until the patient became intoxicated. But as soon as he applied the instruments, the patient would wake up. He continued experimenting with narcotics in this way until he finally found what he was looking for in ether.

What a grand idea Bishop Vincent worked out for the young world in the Chautauqua Circle, Dr. Clark in his world-wide Christian Endeavor movement, the Methodist Church in the Epworth League, Edward Everett Hale in his little bands of King's Daughters and Ten Times One is Ten! Here is Clara Barton who has created the Red Cross Society, which is loved by all nations. She noticed in our Civil War that the Confederates were shelling the hospital. She thought it the last touch of cruelty to fight what couldn't fight back, and she determined to have the barbarous custom stopped. Of course the world laughed at this poor unaided woman. But her idea has been adopted by all nations; and the enemy that aims a shot at the tent or building over which flies the white flag with the red cross has lost his last claim to human consideration.

What a grand idea Bishop Vincent developed for young people in the Chautauqua Circle! Dr. Clark did the same with his worldwide Christian Endeavor movement, and the Methodist Church with the Epworth League. So did Edward Everett Hale with his little bands of King's Daughters and Ten Times One is Ten! Then there is Clara Barton, who created the Red Cross Society, loved by all nations. During our Civil War, she noticed that the Confederates were shelling a hospital. She thought it was the ultimate cruelty to attack those who could not fight back. She was determined to stop this barbaric practice. Of course, the world laughed at this poor woman who had no help. But all nations have adopted her idea. An enemy who fires at a tent or building flying the white flag with the red cross has forfeited every last claim to humane treatment.

In all ages those who have advanced the cause of humanity have been men and women "possessed," in the opinion of their neighbors. Noah in building the ark, Moses in espousing the cause of the Israelites, or Christ in living and dying to save a fallen race, incurred the pity and scorn of the rich and highly educated, in common with all great benefactors. Yet in every age and in every clime men and women have been willing to incur poverty, hardship, toil, ridicule, persecution, or even death, if thereby they might shed light or comfort upon the path which all must walk from the cradle to the grave. In fact it is doubtful whether a man can perform very great service to mankind who is not permeated with a great purpose—with an overmastering idea.

In every age, those who have advanced the cause of humanity have been, in their neighbors' opinion, "possessed." Noah built the ark, Moses took up the cause of the Israelites, and Christ lived and died to save a fallen race. Like all great benefactors, they faced pity and scorn from the rich and highly educated. Yet in every age and every land, men and women have been willing to face poverty, hardship, toil, ridicule, persecution, or even death. They have done so if it meant bringing light or comfort to the path everyone must walk from cradle to grave. In fact, it is doubtful that anyone can do a very great service to humanity without being filled with a great purpose, an all-consuming idea.

Beecher had to fight every step of the way to his triumph through obstacles which would have appalled all but the greatest characters. Oftentimes in these great battles for principle and struggles for truth, he stood almost alone fighting popular prejudice, narrowness, and bigotry, uncharitableness and envy even in his own church. But he never hesitated nor wavered when he once saw his duty. There was no shilly-shallying, no hunting for a middle ground between right and wrong, no compromise on principles. He hewed close to the chalk line and held his line plumb to truth. He never pandered for public favor nor sought applause. Duty and truth were his goal, and he went straight to his mark. Other churches did not agree with him nor his, but he was too broad for hatred, too charitable for revenge, and too magnanimous for envy.

Beecher had to fight every step of the way to success. He faced obstacles that would have overwhelmed all but the strongest people. In these great battles for principle and struggles for truth, he often stood almost alone. He fought popular prejudice, narrow-mindedness, bigotry, lack of charity, and envy, even in his own church. But once he saw his duty, he never hesitated or wavered. He did not stall, seek a middle ground between right and wrong, or compromise his principles. He stayed on course and remained true to the truth. He never catered to public opinion or sought applause. Duty and truth were his goals, and he pursued them directly. Other churches disagreed with him and his church, but he was too open-minded to hate, too charitable to seek revenge, and too generous to envy others.

What tale of the "Arabian Nights" equals in fascination the story of such lives as those of Franklin, of Morse, Goodyear, Howe, Edison, Bell, Beecher, Gough, Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe, Amos Lawrence, George Peabody, McCormick, Hoe, and scores of others, each representing some great idea embodied in earnest action, and resulting in an improvement of the physical, mental, and moral condition of those around them?

What tale from the "Arabian Nights" is as fascinating as the lives of Franklin, Morse, Goodyear, Howe, Edison, Bell, Beecher, Gough, Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe, Amos Lawrence, George Peabody, McCormick, Hoe, and scores of others? Each life represents a great idea put into earnest action. Each resulted in an improvement in the physical, mental, and moral condition of those around them.

There are plenty of ideas left in the world yet. Everything has not been invented. All good things have not been done. There are thousands of abuses to rectify, and each one challenges the independent soul, armed with a new idea.

There are still plenty of ideas left in the world. Not everything has been invented. Not all good things have been done. There are thousands of wrongs to right. Each one challenges an independent spirit armed with a new idea.

"But how shall I get ideas?" Keep your wits open! Observe! Study! But above all, Think! and when a noble image is indelibly impressed upon the mind—Act!

"But how do I get ideas?" Keep your mind open! Observe! Study! But above all, think! And when a noble image is firmly fixed in your mind, act!