Dipping paddles into the fluid gum they turn and
harden it, a coating at a time, in the smoke. The rubber
"biscuit" is cut from the paddle with a wet knife when the
desired thickness has been attained.
Goodyear lived for sixteen years after his discovery of the
vulcanization process. During the last six he was unable to walk
without crutches. He was indifferent to money. To make his
discoveries of still greater service to mankind was his whole
aim. It was others who made fortunes out of his inventions.
Goodyear died a poor man.
In his book, a copy of which was printed on gumelastic sheets and
bound in hard rubber carved, he summed up his philosophy in this
statement: "The writer is not disposed to repine and say that he
has planted and others have gathered the fruits. The advantages
of a career in life should not be estimated exclusively by the
standard of dollars and cents, as it is too often done. Man has
just cause for regret when he sows and no one reaps."
CHAPTER VIII. PIONEERS OF THE MACHINE SHOP
There is a tinge of melancholy about the life of such a pioneer
as Oliver Evans, that early American mechanic of great genius,
whose story is briefly outlined in a preceding chapter. Here was
a man of imagination and sensibility, as well as practical power;
conferring great benefits on his countrymen, yet in chronic
poverty; derided by his neighbors, robbed by his beneficiaries;
his property, the fruit of his brain and toil, in the end
malevolently destroyed.
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