NEW MODE OF LOCOMOTION.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3186, 6 May 1879, Page 1

NEW MODE OF LOCOMOTION.

papers to tha attendahtf in the Permanent Exhibition BuildinK, Philadelphia, goes Bis rpundiy according to the Scientifio American, at' ithe rate of twelTe miles an hour. He travels bajnachmei not unlike roller-skates^ which are caU«d pedpmotors, accordirig totbe ] inventor, J. fi. Hobbs, .Bn n »i£^teeLlpji^WMQnt.ato|mt«.-«JbPjra Fifth. The pedotnotors consists of four tough* light, wooden wheels, iapplied with «■'outer, rim of tough indiarubber. These wheels are secured to a frame, the shape of the foot, which: is strapped to the pedal extremities inithe usual manner. Unlike roller skates, the wheels of these little vehicles are not under, but are plaoed on each side of tbsrfoot, thuf giving the wearer good standing as well as a solid footing. The reafcwheels'are three inelies in diamettfrj'while those itf front aretwo and ahalf incßel!l^Fhis ugtrea>tt&e« foot a slight incline, and" when in motion has much to^oiriimpejling^he pedeitrian forward. Ex^nsng Tfrgm' ,th(j toe,! with a slight curl towards the ogroiindy is a piece of ca«ting,,,termed~tfte pusher, which is siinpljr used ■^leVKiidn^r ste*p^ incline. '■ Frpk^he centre of- th;e h*et> -aiAi^l'^^ii) n 7he#^teillr''lielt« ward; serving'as a guide as well'as a brake. The whole-' sbarijelyiturns the scale at a p»Uiid weight. In using them no more ef-* ■f6rtiß'required"than~hi"ordinarywalking. sTbe.wearer/steps;with|his)Tfgular stride, and is amazed ;to jfind,himself skimming over the grbuhdiso''rapidly w with so litt^ -efforts- Mr Hobbs explaias.the,mystery of the rapid movement in, thw manner: A man, whose stride is 32 inches; will traverse 48 inches, or one half farther,-with 'the pedomotor. This is because the-body is in constant traveller startsyand'whilie he raises one foot-to step, he contitfttes jrapidly onward until that foot isiset downT and. the other raised to make another step. This gives him more momentunii arid"'away he goes over the two miles'in the .same "time to accomplish-1 ■ mile r with - tber feet. No effort of the body~is required for their use, as in A B>^teß.; The traveller simply puts otiS^oot before the other, and finds jLil^e|f^.hizzfd v at. ,aj.^ely,j«.te«^:',