Não
seria justo, inaugurarmos o Almanaque Virtual, sem
uma homenagem, ainda que singela, a este fabuloso homem de
ciência que revolucionou as técnicas, até certo modo inoperantes,
aplicadas naquela época, com a invenção do linotipo.
Falar de Mergenthaler é tarefa difícil, principalmente para nós
neófitos na arte da composição tipográfica, mas não insensíveis ao
fato de avaliarmos o que tal invento representou para a humanidade.
Nasceu, na aldeia de Ensingen, Alemanha, em 11 de maio de 1854, pelo
calendário gregoriano, uma quinta feira, morreu em 28 de outubro de
1899, um sábado.
Cada livro, revista ou jornal de hoje, mesmo com as técnicas
modernas da produção gráfica, editoração eletrônica,
ilustrações, impressão digital, fotolitos, bureau, etc, representa um
imorredouro tributo a este homem, cujo invento, inaugurou uma nova era
na história da composição tipográfica, possibilitando publicações
sofisticadas.
Segundo os historiadores, já com a idade de dez anos, seu gênio
para a mecânica assustou seu pai, que não podia aceitar tal fato, uma
vez que seu sonho era torná-lo um ilustre professor, entrando assim
para uma casta de poucos privilegiados, na qual o pai se incluía.
Como curiosidade, transcrevemos o seguinte trecho:
O
RAPAZ E O RELÓGIO |
Em
uma tarde fresca de 1867, a pequena e sonolenta aldeia de
Ensingen, na Alemanha vibrava de excitação. Mais de cinqüenta
aldeões reuniam-se em frente à vetusta Igreja Luterana olhando
para cima, em direção à torre do relógio.
- Eles se moveram, estou
dizendo a vocês - declarou em tom de pasmo um velho fazendeiro
grisalho. - Os ponteiros do relógio se moveram.
- Bobagem- retrucou o
padeiro da aldeia com clareza, acima do murmúrio da multidão.
- o relógio não funciona há cinco anos. O relojoeiro de
Stuttgart não disse que não podia ser consertado ?
- Pode ser que sim, mas
vi com meus próprios olhos - insistiu o fazendeiro. - Talvez
seja um milagre.
Alguns aldeões riram da
ingenuidade do velho; porém os supersticiosos de mexeram
desconfortavelmente. Talvez estivesse certo e fosse um milagre!
Se ao menos o pastor estivesse por ali - sem dúvida poderia dar
uma explicação. Mas estava ausente da cidade; e também o
prefeito.
De repente, como para
corroborar as palavras do fazendeiro, os ponteiros do enorme
relógio começaram a mover-se. Vagarosamente, com
deliberação, giraram em sua órbita, parando finalmente às
três horas e três minutos. A multidão abriu a boca com
espanto. Alguém olhou um relógio de bolso e anunciou que os
ponteiros tinham parado na hora e minuto exatos do dia!
- Mandem chamar Herr
Mergenthaler, o mestre-escola- gritou o padeiro.- Ele saberá o
que fazer.
Mandaram um garoto ao
chalé dos Mergenthaler. Quando voltou com o sábio professor (
que usava óculos ) a multidão estava nervosa. Johann
Mergenthaler tomou conhecimento da situação com rapidez, e tranqüilizou
os aldeões. - Sem dúvida há uma explicação perfeitamente
lógica - disse-lhes. - Vou investigar.
Com surpreendente
agilidade subiu correndo os degraus da igreja. A tensão
aumentava enquanto todos os olhos se fixavam na porta; o
silencio tomou conta da multidão.
Alguns minutos depois a
porta se abriu, e Herr Mergenthaler surgiu, caminhando a passos
largos, acompanhado por um jovem delgado, de cerca de treze anos
de idade, olhos azuis e cujo rosto e mãos estavam sujos de
fuligem e graxa. Quando deparou com a população da cidade, os
olhos do rapaz se arregalaram com surpresa e culpa, mas depois
sua expressão se transformou em um riso acanhado.
- Ora, é apenas o
pequeno Ottmar, filho do próprio Herr Mergenthaler - falou uma
senhora com alívio. A tensão se dissipou. Todo mundo começou
a rir, mas o mestre-escola franziu as sobrancelhas com raiva. -
Você sabe que é proibido subir na torre da igreja sem
permissão - admoestou ao rapaz.
- Sei que desobedeci ao
regulamento, meu pai, mas não o fiz por mal - Ottmar respondeu,
defendendo-se.- Minha intenção era consertar o relógio- e o
fiz.
A turma riu alto achando
graça da arrogância do rapaz. Até Herr Mergenthaler não pode
conter um sorriso furtivo. - Você pensou que podia consertar o
mecanismo, apesar de um relojoeiro profissional de Stuttgart ter
dito que não podia ser consertado ? - observou com
desaprovação.
- Sim, meu Pai, Veja,
está marcando as horas -. O rapaz apontou para a torre da
igreja, e os olhos dos aldeões se voltaram para o enorme
mostrador do relógio, que então marcava três horas e quatorze
minutos. Vários deles sacaram o relógio do bolso.
- O rapaz está dizendo
a verdade - exclamou o corpulento padeiro. - Os ponteiros estão
marcando as horas com perfeição!
Um sussurro de
excitação percorreu a multidão, e alguns dos jovens
aplaudiram. Muitos dos homens e mulheres presentes deram pancadinhas
de admiração na cabeça de Ottmar.
Quando Herr Mergenthaler
e o filho voltaram ao chalé da família, o rapaz tinha assumido
a estatura de um herói conquistador.
Ottmar então repetiu
sua história para a madastra e os irmãos e irmã. Explicou
como teve a idéia de consertar o relógio ao estudar as
ilustrações de um livro sobre relógios que lhe fora enviado
pelo irmão de sua madrasta, Louis Hahl, que era relojoeiro na
vizinha cidade de Bietigheim. - Senti que se pudesse examinar o
relógio da igreja e compará-lo com os mecanismos no livro que
tio Louis me deu, podia ser capas de consertá-lo - disse com
simplicidade.
- Mas por que não foi
pedir permissão ao pastor ? - quis saber sua madrasta, uma
mulher bonita, de feições suaves, na casa dos trinta.
O rapaz hesitou um
momento, então respondeu solenemente:
- Porque tive medo que o
povo risse de mim, pois sou apenas um garoto.
Caroline Mergenthaler
olhou para o marido e piscou os olhos. Ottmar contou com detalhe
como conseguiu subir furtivamente até a torre deserta, todas as
tardes, enquanto o pastor se ausentava da cidade. Tinha
desmontado todo o mecanismo do relógio antes de finalmente
descobrir o problema- um pino quebrado. Substituiu o pino, tirou
a ferrugem e a sujeira das engrenagens e molas antes de montar
as peças, outra vez, e lubrificou o relógio para que ele
funcionasse com maciez e exatidão.
Herr Mergenthaler
pigarreou e disse - Embora tenha prazer pela honestidade de sua
intenção, isso não justifica que você a realizasse de
maneira desonesta. Por não ter obtido permissão para visitar a
torre, irá para a cama sem jantar. Compreende que fez algo
errado? - O rapaz balançou a cabeça afirmativamente, em
silêncio.
Naquela noite Ottmar
ficou deitado em seu diminuto quarto no sótão
...
|
Fonte:-
Biblioteca de Cultura Geral -Editora Lidador Ltda.
O FABULOSO HOMEM DA
IMPRESSÃO
I.E.LEVINE
Tradução de J.Ribeiro
de Mendonça
Primeira Edição
Brasileira: julho de 1965.
Traduzida de "Miracle
Man of Printing"
Julian Messner, Inc. N.Y
Copyright 1963 by
I.E.LEVINE |
Ottmar queria ser engenheiro, mas o salário de um mestre-escola mal
podia cobrir o custo do aprendizado em uma universidade, razão pela
qual foi ser aprendiz de relojoeiro, e com a idade de quatorze anos, já
era um perito na profissão. Teria completado os quatro anos de
aprendizado, não fosse a inquietação política da Alemanha em 1871,
logo após a guerra Franco-Prussiana.
Sabendo que dentro de um ano seria convocado para o serviço militar,
e como tinha pouca inclinação para o militarismo, pediu permissão e
viajou para a América, mais precisamente para Washington D.C, em 26 de
outubro de 1872, um sábado, onde um primo
seu, Augut Hahl, que também havia financiado a sua viagem, possuía uma loja que manufaturava instrumento de precisão e, aos
dezessete anos Mergenthaler tornou-se seus assistente.
August chegou aos Estados Unidos por volta de 1864, época em que a
terrível guerra civil ainda assolava o país; por mais paradoxal que
pareça, por exemplo, no norte havia uma enorme demanda pelos produtos
industrializados, e August, pela sua grande capacidade técnica,
empregou-se em uma fábrica que produzia equipamento telegráfico e
demais aparelhos sinalizadores.
Trabalhando arduamente, gastando somente o necessário para o seu
sustento e da família, conseguiu abrir uma empresa
"The Hahn Company Machine Shop", logo depois do
fim da guerra civil; como tudo corria harmoniosamente bem, a carteira de
encomendas aumentando, o passo seguinte foi ampliar o próspero negocio,
abrindo novas lojas.
Praticamente no centro do poder, tudo era progresso, principalmente
no científico e tecnológico; dos teoricamente simples relógios
pessoais, amplia-se a procura por aparelhos mais sofisticados,
principalmente elétricos. Sendo August, principalmente nos meios
governamentais, conhecido como capaz e de extrema confiança, foi
convidado a construir, para o Serviço de meteorologia dos Estados
Unidos, órgão recentemente inaugurado, instrumentos dos mais diversos
e sofisticados.
Com tal desenvolvimento, oportunidades fantásticas para os
empreendedores foram criadas, e não poderia ser diferente, além de
August, um grande número de inventores, com milhares de projetos,
simples esquemas ou mesmo idéias, se instalaram em Washington,
com o objetivo de se transformarem em notoriedades da noite para o dia,
sendo que muitos deles, não tinham a menor idéia de como construir
tais modelos.
Com as leis reguladoras já existentes nos Estados Unidos, sobre as
patentes, uma exigência fundamental era, ao solicitar uma patente, que
o pleiteante submetesse um modelo do seu invento ao Departamento de
Patentes; perfeitamente natural que as oficinas de August ficassem
repletas de novos e especiais clientes.
Tornou-se assim, principalmente em Washington, um excelente e
rentável negocio industrializar modelos para futuras patentes, passando
do simples papel, ou mesmo da cabeça do inventor, para uma realidade
concreta e manuseável.
Como ilustração, vejamos um trecho que o Pridie Kalendas
selecionou:
An additional factor that contributed to the increase of patent
applications was the periods of the U.S. Civil War and the following
Reconstruction Era. In response to a greater need for technological
improvements, many patents were issued in specialized areas. For
example,
many patents were related to military applications - Gatling's machine
gun patent (U.S. Patent No. 36,836, 1862) and Nobel's dynamite patent
(U.S. Patent No. 78,317, 1868). Additionally, the periods including and
following the Civil War saw rapid increases in the number of patent
applications and issuances. In 1861, 4,643 applications were filed - by
1865 the number of applications grew to 10,664 and to 20,445 in 1868. |
A
History of the United States Patent Office
By: Jason O. Watson
April 17, 2001 |
Dessa forma, Ottmar Mergenthaler, na época assistente do primo
August, ficava extasiado com o que via. A oficina que tinha pouco mais
de doze artesãos, especializados na industria relojoeira, mantinha, se
muito, dois ou três empregados, cuidando especificamente da
fabricação dos produtos que conheciam muito bem; os demais,
concentravam-se nas mais estapafúrdias peripécias, das quais, grande
parte, não tinham a menor possibilidade de serem sequer
industrializadas, menos ainda de serem úteis para a sociedade.
Ottmar, pelos conhecimentos técnicos, pela sua capacidade
organizacional, digamos até, pelo tino comercial e a sua indiscutível
e franqueza honestidade, passou a gerir esses interesses da promissora
oficina do primo August.
Quando um projeto não tinha a menos chance, mesmo para os mais
exaltados e geniosos, procurava com toda a delicadeza que lhe era
peculiar, explicar com detalhes a impossibilidade do empreendimento,
pois para muitos, era um fim melancólico de noites mal dormidas,
aplicações de economias, tempo, enfim, sob o ponto de vista humanista,
uma lastima.
Nesse ambiente profissional que convivia Ottmar, independentemente do
tipicamente fabril, para melhor compreendermos aqueles momentos, de uma
forma simplista, classificamos em quatro grandes tipos de clientes que
circulavam pelas dependências da oficina:
Clientes,
como já vimos, com possibilidades praticamente nulas de levarem
a diante os seus projetos; se, não valesse os conselhos, e
houvesse muita insistência do cliente, o pedido era aceito com
totais restrições, e sem nenhuma responsabilidade da empresa. |
Clientes
com idéia boas, porém sem recursos financeiros. Selecionados
de modo muito criterioso, pois era um investimento de risco,
ajustava-se a construção dos protótipos, com clausulas de
compartilhamento nos eventuais direitos que futuramente o
inventor pudesse ter.
(Consta que esse tipo de serviço não
deu lucro algum, pois apenas um ou dois projetos foram
efetivamente lucrativos) |
Clientes
com recursos que podiam pagar as suas encomendas. |
Clientes
com projetos ou não, dispostos a financiar empreendimentos que
pudessem retornar lucros desses investimentos. |
Neste momento da nossa reportagem, conclamamos aos estimados leitores
do "Pridie Kalendas" que leiam com muita atenção ao que
vamos relatar; são momentos preciosos e impulsionadores da carreira de
Ottmar Mergenthaler e, porque não dizer, do refinamento moral e ético
desse grande inventor. Percebam como é importante o estudo, mesmo que a
primeira vista possa parecer inócuo, ou sem importância para aquele
determinado momento; Ottmar, na sua aldeia em Ensingen, estudou desenho mecânico,perspectiva
isométrica, leitura de projetos e eletricidade elementar, abrangendo
praticamente todos os princípios, as leis fundamentais da eletricidade,
dominando com desenvoltura as fórmulas matemáticas importantes para os
cálculos da voltagem (tensão), corrente (intensidade) e resistências.
Com pouco mais de seis meses nos Estados Unidos (quando chegou não
sabia nenhuma palavra do inglês), com a ajuda da mulher de August,
Gerda, nascida em Baden, Alemanha, que estava no país desde criança, e
evidentemente com os seus esforços pessoais, passou a dominar muito bem
o idioma, e com o desempenho irrepreensível na empresa, como ser humano
e como técnico, passou de um simples e rotineiro consertador de
relógios, para coordenar projetos especiais, com ênfase no Serviço de
Transmissões do exército dos Estados Unidos, cujas encomendas
especiais previam o desenvolvimento e o aperfeiçoamento onde fosse
necessário.
Sendo basicamente o único que realmente conhecia eletricidade na
oficina, contrapondo-se com o próprio August e alguns técnicos que
conheciam apenas na prática, fundamental foi a sua incorporação
pessoal ao mega projeto do exercito; posteriormente, mesmo tendo somente
18 anos, fez questão de dar aulas ao interessados da oficina, em regra,
com idade bem mais avançada do que a dele.
Com o projeto já em fase bem avançada, Ottmar respondia totalmente
pelo mesmo, não só no que dizia respeito aos aspectos técnicos, más
também aos preceitos contratuais que envolviam sutilezas de natureza
comercial e jurídica, culminando com um rigoroso cronograma de entrega;
em síntese, tinha diretamente ao seu comando direto, nada menos do que
12 especialistas técnicos, contratados pela empresa.
Acompanhando pormenorizadamente a montagem, sendo provavelmente um
dos pioneiros na aplicação efetiva do controle de qualidade, submetia
cada circuito, com seus componentes mecânicos ou elétricos,
rigorosamente comparados com os desenhos originais, sempre visando as
possibilidades de efetivas melhorias, no momento, ou mesmo para o
futuro.
Durante os vários meses que foram gastos nesses projetos
governamentais, Ottmar teve a oportunidade de conhecer muita gente:
políticos, graduados nas patentes do exercito, engenheiros, e também
inventores avulsos, parecidos com os nossos Prestadores de Serviços,
sem maiores vínculos com o exercito ou mesmo com a empresa contratada.
Desse convívio diário, fortaleceu-se o respeito conceitual e
institucional da empresa, e particularmente, o respeito pelas qualidades
exponenciais, tanto técnicas, como de reputação ilibada que foi um
marco nos primórdios da carreira de Ottmar.
Especificamente no que diz respeito aos engenheiros do governo, houve
uma reciprocidade sem precedentes, pois Ottmar pode melhorar
sensivelmente os seus conhecimentos na teoria da eletricidade, e, como
retribuição, como técnico eminentemente prático que era, podia, com
certa habitualidade, contribuir com sugestões e reformulações do
projeto original, não pensados na origem das pranchetas daqueles
engenheiros graduados, portadores de conhecimentos teóricos
transcendentais.
Na opinião de biógrafos, e também na nossa, desse intercambio de
idéias, o convívio amplo com personalidades divinamente inspiradas,
acreditando também, muito mais agora no seu potencial, floresce mais do
que nunca em Ottmar, a chama do inventor, despertando lá dos primórdios
da sua infância, a chama do inusitado, da pratica do humanismo, enfim
do bem servir, marcas que ficaram indeléveis no nosso homenageado, até
o seu desenlace do mundo dos vivos.
A GRANDE CRISE ECONÔMICA DE 1873 |
Embora houvesse ligeiros vestígios, principalmente na chamada
imprensa especializada, August, por ser um inveterado otimista e Ottmar,
por estar enfronhado até a alma em seus projetos, não conseguiam
acreditar que aquele imenso país que tão bem os acolhera, até então
numa crescente prosperidade, podia, de alguma forma ser abalado por uma
crise econômica.
Boatos, noticias constantes e intermitentes,gananciosos
especuladores, faziam da Bôlsa de Valores, bancos de
renome, presas fáceis, fazendo com que cotações caíssem,
poupanças fossem retiradas em volumes alarmantes, restringindo de
maneira brutal as linhas de créditos para todos.
Colaborando sensivelmente para o descontrole econômico, mediante
investigação pelo Congresso, apurou-se grandes irregularidades na
então poderosa Union Pacific Railroad, acusada de inúmeras fraudes em
suas transações, cujos envolvidos eram do alto escalão governamental,
com a lamentável participação do vice-presidente dos Estados Unidos.
Finalmente, no final de setembro de 1873, a casa ruiu! Como por
encanto, da noite para o dia, grandes empresas faliram, comerciantes de
renome tiveram que encerrar as suas atividades; o desemprego em
proporções alarmantes, causaram verdadeiros estragos na vida
cotidiana da nação.
Com praticamente tudo paralisado, contratos cancelados sem aviso
prévio, redução drástica de novos clientes, custos fixos
relativamente altos,pelo aluguel do imóvel, financiamento de
máquinas, pela manutenção de aproximadamente uma dúzia de
empregados, o fantasma fatídico de uma eminente falência chegou
rapidamente ao negocio de August.
Embora com o coração partido, com lagrimas nos olhos, August teve
que despedir quase todos os seus fieis colaboradores, ficando com apenas
dois deles; até Ottmar se ofereceu para ser dispensado, procedimento
que embora compreendido, foi desconsiderado.
No final de 1873, com um quadro nada promissor, depois de um balanço
superficial, August, em uma decisão pessoal, resolve transferir a
empresa para Baltimore, com visível descontentamento da esposa, e do
conselhos insistentes de Ottmar, dando a entender que uma locomoção
para uma outra cidade, que não uma capital, poderia complicar ainda
mais os já combalidos negócios.
Todavia, nada fez com que August desistisse; no inicio de 1874, com prejuízos
visíveis, vendeu grande parte do chamado equipamento pesado,
locomovendo o restante, para uma pequeno e acanhado deposito em
Baltimore.
Embora convidados, os seus dois empregados, alegando grandes
dificuldades na transferência deles e da família, resolveram
permanecer na capital do país.
Analisando mais friamente, com Ottmar morando ainda com os Hahl, e
dispensado o salário em troca da sua divida com o primo, mesmo
com a mesma economia precária da capital, Baltimore apresentava uma
vantagem, os alugueres, tanto da casa como do depósito, foram
significamente reduzidos, ocasionando sensível corte nos gastos.
Quando tudo parecia irremediavelmente caminhando para a bancarrota,
eis que, um velho cliente e amigo de August, da Filadélfia, solicitava
o seu comparecimento imediato na cidade, pois havia uma grande
probabilidade de sair um bom negocio; sem pestanejar, apenas com a roupa
do corpo e mais algumas mudas na bagagem, rumou para lá.
A conversa girou em torno da Exposição do Centenário da cidade de
Filadélfia, que ocorreria no verão de 1876, cujo contrato abrangia
principalmente a fabricação de vários instrumentos; entusiasmado,
August fechou o acordo, e, depois de alguns dias, voltava para
Baltimore.
Philadelphia
Public Ledger
May 11, 1876
PARTICIPAÇÃO
DO BRASIL
THE CENTENNIAL OPENING DAY THE INAUGURAL
CEREMONIES
The Scene - The Decorations - The Services
The Crowds - The Music - The General Joy THE
MILITARY PARADE The Exhibition Opened by the
Grandest Ceremony Ever Witnessed in America
Yesterday the Centennial International Exhibition was
formally opened at Fairmount Park by the President of the United
States. This great event, which was accompanied by an imposing
public demonstration upon the grounds, and heralded by salvos of
artillery, has put into practical operation the vast enterprise
to which Philadelphia has bent her energies for so long a time.
It has been more than five years since this Exhibition received
the sanction of law. Upon March 3, 1871, Congress passed the act
creating the United Sates Centennial Commission, under whose
supervisory control the gigantic Exhibition has been planned and
gradually unfolded to its present vast dimensions. Upon June 1,
1872, the act was passed which created the Centennial Board of
Finance, thus calling into being the organization which raised
the money necessary for the undertaking, and without whose
energetic agency it might probably have been the merest vision.
John Welsh and his coadjutors have held the magician's wand that
has conjured up Aladdin's Palace in the Park. Upon July 3d,
1873, the President proclaimed the contemplated Exhibition, and
two days afterwards the Secretary of State sent notification of
this proclamation to every foreign nation with which we hold
diplomatic intercourse. In January, 1874, the participation of
the various Executive Departments was ordered; and on June 5th,
1874, Congress authorized the President to extend, in the name
of the United States, a respectful and cordial invitation to the
governments of the world to be represented and take part in the
International Exhibition. Every one of the thirty-nine nations
to which this invitation was extended not only accepted it, but
sent goods to such profusion that many have exceeded all their
former efforts at international displays; and they made
preparations with such energy that they excelled our own people
in the speed with which their exhibits were got ready. Foreign
gems and fabrics make up three-fifths of the display in the Main
Building; probably four-fifths in the Art Department, and a
large proportion in every other; and the foreign representation
at yesterday's ceremonial far exceeded anything of the kind ever
before seen in this country.
It was upon July 4, 1873, that the Fairmount Park Commission
formally transferred to the Centennial Commission the Exhibition
grounds at Lansdowne, this event taking place in the presence of
three Cabinet Ministers, who represented the President, and of
the Governors of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. It was upon July
4, 1874, that ground was first broken upon Lansdowne plateau for
the Main and Memorial Buildings. The little sod then dug by the
Mayor, and now, with its pretty flowers, preserved as a memento
in his office, was the signal, barely twenty-two months ago, for
beginning the great work that has covered the Exhibition
enclosure with its myriads of buildings. Since then the watching
of the daily rise of the vast structures in the Park has been a
pleasant occupation of our people. They saw first the modest
cottage built that contained the builders' offices, and which
when finished, was the only edifice to be seen on the grand
plateau, but which now is dwarfed by so many commanding
structures. Then the Art Gallery slowly rose - at first stark
walls of brick, then faced with granite - both the earliest and
the latest of the buildings. They watched the Main and Machinery
Halls grow acre by acre, and the Horticultural Hall, nestling
among the trees, with its bright-colored walls and its pretty
design. Then the magic wand called into being the Government and
Agricultural buildings almost in a night, as it were, and with
mushroom rapidity sent up a hundred or more structures of all
shapes, styles and sizes, in all parts of the grounds, designed
to represent all architectures, and to satisfy, if not delight,
all tastes. And then the occupancy came, and the flags of all
nations began to float over them, showing that England, Spain, Brazil,
France, and in fact all peoples had got at last an actual home
in the new world. To-day, the work still goes on, with much yet
unfinished, for the Centennial city can never be completely
built. When a town or country ceases growth, its mission is in
danger of being ended.
But we must not linger on this theme. What had been done
before was overshadowed by the event of yesterday. For months
Philadelphia has been anticipating the 10th of May in
the Centennial year. The day dawned in an outburst of patriotic
ardor. The busy labor of the flag and decoration makers, public
and private, saw the light yesterday. They city was literally
enveloped in bunting - enwrapped in the flags of all nations.
The stars and stripes found the English jack, the French and
German tri-colors, the Austrian and Hessian eagles, the elephant
of Siam, the Chinese dragon, the sun of Japan, and the emblems
of all the world aiding it in celebrating the Centenary.
From pole and halyard, in festoons and clusters, they were
flung to the Centennial breeze. How many square miles of silk
and bunting waved in and over, around and through Philadelphia
yesterday, it will be difficult to calculate. Everybody gave
vent to joy with a flag, and the universality and remarkable
character of this patriotic outburst in bunting, silk and
decorative art, is attested in the full description elsewhere
given. The preparations for the display began on Tuesday, and,
despite the lowering weather, the decorations fulfilled their
part thoroughly. No feast or carnival of Europe or the Orient
ever showed brighter decorations than yesterday in Philadelphia.
The day opened with clouds and rain. It was a sore
disappointment, but could not be helped. "Old Probabilities"
had done his best for the previous twenty-four hours in
predicting clear weather, but the elements would not obey.
Patriotism, however, after having been wrought up to the pitch
displayed in Philadelphia, is not to be dampened by rain. At
sunrise - or rather at the time when sunrise ought to have been
- the bell on Independence Hall sounded the alarm that the great
day had come. The peal continued a half hour, being taken up and
spread over the city by all the bells and chimes, waking up the
people who had not already begun the flag decorations. This was
the formal announcement of the beginning of the Centennial
Holiday, and, to add to the display, the shipping in the harbor
also ran up flags at sunrise. Thus opened the day.
A PEEP OF SUNSHINE
Shortly after 7 A.M., the wind veered in the southwest, and
in a few minutes, after a smart bu brief rain falling, the
clouds began to break away. Glimpses of blue sky could be seen
to the westward, and at last the elements appeared to be
propitiated. Before eight o'clock it became evident that this
would not interfere with the grand display, and there were hopes
of sunshine. The streets were wet and muddy, however, but the
public were too glad at the anticipation of a fine day to permit
this to interfere with their enjoyment. Philadelphians always
take a hopeful view. A ride through the streets in the early
morning, showed the flag decorators briskly at work on the
fronts of the buildings, whilst soldiers, both on foot and on
horseback, were hurrying to the rendezvous at Broad and Walnut
streets. The sidewalks also were filled with people, and the
street cars on the lines leading to the Park were, at that early
hour, heavily laden. The street railways had made every
arrangement to carry as many passengers as possible, by running
every car on quick time. It only needed a glimpse of blue sky to
start almost the entire population out of doors.
THE SCENE AT MR. CHILDS' RESIDENCE
A vast throng filled up Walnut and Twenty-Second streets,
around the residence of Mr. George W. Childs, the host of the
President. Here had assembled the Cabinet officers and their
wives. A full force of police under Captain Wood guarded the
house, keeping the sidewalks clear of people. About 8:25 A.M.,
Governor Hartranft, accompanied by Adjutant General Latta, Col.
North and other officers, rode up to the door, being warmly
cheered. At 8:30 the head of the military procession reached the
house. President Grant appeared at the front door with Mr.
Childs, the Cabinet also appearing, and as the President stepped
out under the doorway the people loudly cheered him,
handkerchiefs being waved by the ladies who filled the opposite
windows. The military column then moved, the troops numbering
about 2800 men. As the different detachments passed they were
heartily greeted. The sailors from the frigate Congress were
particularly noticeable and were loudly cheered.
Capt. Ryan's company, the State Fencibles, as usual attracted
attention by their precision of drill, and were warmly commended
by their distinguished spectators.
Finally the City Troop, the President's immediate escort,
appeared and formed in line on the north side of the street,
facing the house. As they made this maneuvre they were cheered,
the distinguished visitors on the steps also applauding them.
The Presidential party then got into the carriages that were
to take them out to the grounds. In the first carriage were
President Grant, Secretary Fish, Governor Hartranft and George
W. Childs. In the second carriage Secretaries Bristow, Robeson
and Chandler and Postmaster General Jewell. In the third
carriage, Secretary Taft and Attorney General Pierrepont. The
ladies did not go out with the procession, but were handed into
carriages on Twenty-second street, Col. Frederick D. Grant
escorting Mrs. Grant and Ex-Secretary Borie Mrs. Fish.
The procession then moved, and the different detachments were
cheered by the crowd as they passed the house. The greeting of
the First Regiment Gray Reserves was quite a warm one. As the
parade was passing the sun came out, and every evidence was
given of a fine day. The throng soon broke up and, like the rest
of the population, proceeded en masse to the grounds.
A GRAND HOLIDAY
It needed only the proof of a fine day, such as was made sure
by 9 o'clock, to devote the entire city to holiday-making. The
people went almost en masse out to the Centennial grounds, and
the rural districts poured in their thousands to swell the
throng. For weeks the public, for many miles around, had been
preparing for the tenth of May. Every railway, steamboat, stage,
turnpike and highway leading to Philadelphia yesterday morning
brought in its populace, who were added to the vast aggregate
moving in grand mass upon the Centennial. After setting up
decorations and getting ready for the journey to the Park, the
people started, thronging the streets, some tarrying to see the
military escort for this President, but all pouring over the
bridges that led across the Schuykill, each one bent upon the
same goal. Cars, carriages, cabs and vehicles of all sorts were
loaded down and still vast numbers went on foot. It looked as if
a great army was moving in vast divisions to capture the
Centennial. Probably the largest number passed over Girard
avenue bridge. But the Market, Chestnut, South and Callowhill
street bridges all had their moving armies, and the masses
finally came together, when the Lancaster and Girard avenue
currents were all turned into Belmont and Elm avenues. Few
places have ever seen such a mass of humanity as crowded the
streets bordering the southern limits of the Exhibition during
yesterday morning.
The cars were overladen, the sidewalks overflowed into the
streets, and when the gates into the ground were opened the
pressure began to be relieved, and steady streams of people
poured through as fast as the guards permitted, the march of men,
women and children continuing for a long while. The throng
outside the grounds; the smaller buildings with ambitious names,
wherein liquor was dispensed to the thirsty and excited throngs;
the waving bunting, the animated mass of humanity, all lit up by
the glad sunlight of a fair May morning; made a scene never to
be forgotten. An American can only see one Centennial, therefore
each made the most of it.
THE VICINITY OF THE GROUNDS
Seven o'clock has come - the gates are opened, and the
laboring men, exhibitors and holders of special passes are
admitted. The sound of hammering and other carpenter work comes
from within the grounds, and dirty carts drawn by lazy horses
begin to make their appearance at the exit gates carrying the
last remnants of the rubbish and old material that has
accumulated inside the grounds within the last few months. Then,
spruce guards with bright buttons, dark blue uniforms and white
cotton gloves begin to mingle with the throng outside the gates,
and endeavor to get something like order out of the chaos that
is around and about. The new arrivals by cars and foot continue
to pour towards the gates, which still relentlessly remain
closed to the great public. The benches which have been left by
some kind mortals in front of the Board of Finance Building have
scores of occupants, all of them with an anxious and expectant
air awaiting the hour of opening of the gates. Finally the
strange crowd, composed of many nationalities, speaking a
variety of tongues, and showing in their faces and actions the
peculiarities of all the types of mankind, becomes more composed.
Added to the people who ceaselessly pour form the cars, the
decorations of the hotels and restaurants around the concourse
make the latter play a still more brilliant part. The
Trans-Continental, with its sober coat of drab, is brightened up
by numbers of flags, which hang from its many windows and
flutter in the breeze which has at last sprung up, whilst the
great Globe Hotel, with its many wings, is handsomely decorated
with the National colors. And the restaurants and smaller hotels
in the vicinity are not behind in the matter of patriotism, and
fly banners and flags in profusion, adding further brilliancy to
the scene. And then the Pennsylvania Railroad Depot has its
flags, too. Flying in the breeze, and its locomotives, with
their hoarse, clanging bells, furnish the music for the occasion.
The fastly running trains dash across the river at rapid
intervals and unload in the huge depot their scores of
passengers, who are sent on their way towards the grounds laden
with bag and baggage by innumerable officials, who wave hands
covered with white cotton gloves.
As the day advanced and the sun came out in full splendor,
the throngs increased rapidly. Couples, private carriages and
vehicles of all descriptions, apparently innumerable, went
dashing here and there, depositing their living freights at
various points, while the cars, running on half minute time, in
unending strings, added their quota to the throngs. Thousands,
unable to obtain conveyance in the cars, approached the grounds
on foot, forming a continuous stream of humanity that pours to
the gates and made the approaches to the grounds brilliant and
beautiful with the variety of costume.
The police arrangements were in charge of Captains Heins and
Curry. The former, with Sergeants Miller, Warnock and Simpson
and 105 men, had charge of Elm avenue, from Forty-first street
to the entrance of the Main Building in the East, and the latter,
with Lieutenants Wilkins, Mickle, Ferguson, Baldwin and Davidson,
with 390 men, took charge of Fortieth street, from the bridge to
Elm avenue, and thence to the entrance of the Main Building on
the east. And though the numbers passing over these
thoroughfares were immense, the strictest order possible was
maintained by the officers' efforts, aided by the Park Guard,
Captain Lewis M. Chasteau commanding, and the people's good
nature. As the parade approached, the streets and avenues were
cleared of persons and vehicles, and the procession passed
without delay or obstruction of any moment, and entered the
enclosure by Lansdowne drive.
INSIDE THE GROUNDS
Passing through the gates the thousands of visitors began to
scatter themselves over the vast area embraced within the
grounds. Some go at once toward the Main Building and Memorial
Hall, where the ceremonies are to take place, whilst others
visit the State and minor buildings, and still others amuse
themselves by visits to the lakes and fountains, all of which
latter were merrily playing, sending streams of pure water into
the air.
At half-past nine the plaza between the Main Building and
Memorial Hall is well filled with people, whilst the large open
space between the first named and Machinery Hall is beginning to
fill up. The steady tramp of arriving visitors continues, and
the stream pours ceaselessly on. At about ten o'clock the
President and party arrive, and passing through Memorial Hall
advance to the grand stand.
The military have in the meanwhile entered at another gate,
and are beginning to the Plaza, between the Main Building and
Machinery Hall, where they form in line preparatory to receiving
the President on his march through the grounds. Around and about
them the crowd begins to press, and it is with difficulty that
the passage way destined for the Presidential party can be kept
open.
The wire fences and th gates at the crossings fail in their
purpose of preventing people from walking or crossing the tracks,
for the roadway of the railroad is as well filled with
pedestrians as the other paths. At the restaurants a lively
business is being done, and the Department of Public Comfort has
plenty to keep its attendants busy in taking care of the bags,
bundles, overcoats and umbrellas brought out by visitors from a
distance and entrusted to it for safekeeping.
The ceremonies have begun at the grand stand, yet even their
attractiveness seems to make no impression on the people in
front of Machinery Hall, nor does it appear to diminish the
throngs in the other portions of the grounds.
At the headquarters of the Centennial Guard, in the
Commission Building on Elm avenue, a busy scene is presented.
Colonel Clay and his Adjutant, Capt. Hoyt, were both actively
engaged from early morning in the policing of the grounds. The
Guard, which is under the command of Colonel Clay, numbers one
thousand men, six hundred of whom were yesterday on duty in
uniform, whilst the balance, ununiformed, were distributed over
the grounds where required.
In addition to these a force of twenty-six detectives, under
Captain Tully, of New York, was scattered over the ground on the
lookout for suspicious characters; and District Attorney
Sheppard had two of his detectives on hand for similar duty.
Company F, Third Regiment, Col. Ballier commanding, was also
on the grounds early, awaiting orders form the headquarters,
being fora long time stationed on the plaza in the rear of the
Commissioners building.
THE CEREMONIES
The space reserved for holding the formal opening ceremonies
was the large area bounded by the Main Building on the south and
by Memorial Hall on the north. Memorial Hall stands upon a broad
terrace, the front portion of which is paved with flagstones.
Along the front of the hall and covering part of this pavement
was erected a platform capable of accommodating four thousand
people. That portion of the platform in front of the centre of
the hall was square in shape, with a semi-circular stand
projecting from the front, and placed directly across the avenue
leading from the Main building to Memorial Hall. This
stand was erected for the accommodation of the emperor and the
Empress of Brazil and their suite, the President
of the United States and Cabinet, and those persons most
immediately concerned in the conduct of the ceremonies.
From the ends of the pavilions, on the eastern
and western corners of the building, the platform diverged from
the east and west line in a southwesterly and southeasterly
direction, thus giving it the general appearance of a
parallelogram with square projections at the corners. The seats
on this platform all looked toward the south, facing the
northern side of the Main Building, and with their backs toward
Memorial Hall. The front of the central stand was covered with a
large United States flag, across which was draped, in
honor of the presence of the Emperor of Brazil, the green and
yellow folds of the Brazilian standard. At the
two corners of the entrance to the stands were displayed the
flags of Great Britain and the United States, and to the right
and left of the stands, respectively, the standards of France
and Germany. In front of the balustrade, extending above the
cornice of Memorial Hall, were placed handsome vases filled with
a profusion of rare and beautiful plants. Immediately in front
of the central stand were placed seats for the representatives
of the press, of whom there were a great number.
Over against the grand platform, and facing it was erected an
inclined platform, capable of accommodating one thousand persons.
It adjoined the north line of the Main Building, and was
occupied by the grand orchestra and chorus. This platform was
arranged with tiers of seats, one above another, and was raised
sufficiently above the ground to permit the passage of persons
under it. A footway of asphalt was constructed under this
platform, leading from the north centre door of the Main
Building to Memorial Hall. The invited guests came in at three
entrances; one at the eastern end of the Main Building, another
opposite the south centre door, and another near the extreme
southwestern corner of the building. They passed up the grand
central nave, or through the centre aisle to the north centre
door and out; passing underneath the music platform to the grand
stand in front of Memorial Hall.
The platform for the musicians was decorated with a rich
display of bunting. On the right of the centre was the American
flag, and on the left the standard of the Netherlands. On the
extreme right was the standard of Switzerland, and on the
extreme left the Italian flag. Over the passageway leading under
the building were hangings of white and blue bunting on which
were wreaths of gilt leaves enclosing the letters
"76;" above these were the words, in yellow letters on
blue ground, "Main Building," and draped above these
were the standards of Great Britain and France. The decorations
of both the music stand and platform for guests, although not
elaborate, were, as a whole, rich, striking and in thorough
keeping with the character of the occasion.
At eight o'clock a number of invited guests
had arrived, and by nine o'clock there was a very general
sprinkling of people over the space between the Main Building
and Memorial Hall. At ten o'clock the stands and open space
between them were thronged with people, and in a few minutes
after ten the assemblage hall became so dense that it was
practically impossible to make one's way from point to point
without the assistance of the police. All the available space on
the platform and terrace was soon occupied to its utmost
capacity, and people began to climb up to all points in the
vicinity from which views of the scene could be obtained. Groups
of men and boys were perched upon the bronze statues
representing "Pegasus led by the Muses," standing on
either side of the approach to Memorial Hall, and every inch of
space on the statues and on the backs of the horses was eagerly
grasped for. Indeed, so great was the eagerness to obtain a
place that two men seated themselves one between the ears of
each of the horses. Groups of people were also congregated on
the roofs of the Main Building, Memorial Hall, Photographic
Hall, the north annex to the Main Building, Machinery Hall, and
every other accessible elevation in the vicinity.
[TRANSCRIPTION IN PROGRESS - for
those who need it, here is the later section of this article
that deals with the start-up of the Corliss Engine]
Entering the main eastern door of Machinery
Hall amid the chiming of bells and the plaudits of the people,
the procession moved slowly, without stopping, up the main aisle
and halted at the large Corliss engine. President Grant and
wife, the Emperor and Empress of
Brazil, Col. Fred. Grant, Gen. Hawley, Director
General Goshorn and John Welsh, Esq., then advanced and ascended
to the platform surrounding the engine. All being in readiness,
President Grant and the Emperor, Dom
Pedro, grasped the handles of the acting valves,
and at a concerted moment turned them. There was a slight
hissing of steam audible and then the huge walking beam was seen
to slowly move, and, gathering momentum, was soon in full play.
At the first visible movement of the powerful and ponderous
machinery a cheer was given, and for a brief space the eyes of
all were fastened upon the engine. They had enjoyed the scene
but a little while when Gen. Hawley announced that the reception
by the President, in the judges' hall, would be omitted. After
leaving the great engine the procession moved straight down the
main avenue in a westerly direction, passing on its way the
several foreign departments. Meanwhile all the machinery in the
vast building had begun running, and the din and clatter of the
hundreds of machines united with the music of the bands without
, and the ringing of the chimes within, made it a confusion of
sounds to be remembered.
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The Railroads and the Centennial Exhibition of 1876
Apesar de não atingir a grande fase de Washington, com o cumprimento
do contrato original de Filadélfia, outros surgindo, inclusive com
encomendas da própria cidade de Baltimore, e de antigos clientes da
capital, principalmente por indicação de funcionário do Departamento
de Patente, havia por parte do primo e de Ottmar, uma grande
esperança, que o país finalmente saísse de vez da tão nefasta
crise.
(Continua em 2012 - Prazo
indeterminado0)
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