Growth of the art of printing—­Birth of Richard M. Hoe—­Sketch of the career of Robert Hoe—­He comes to America—­His marriage—­Founds the house of “Robert Hoe & Co.”—­The first steam printing presses—­He retires from business—­Richard M. Hoe is brought up in the business—­The mechanical genius of the house—­The new firm—­Richard Hoe’s first invention—­Obtains a patent for it—­Visits England—­Invents the double-cylinder press—­Demand for increased facilities for printing—­Mr. Hoe’s experiments with his press—­His failures—­How the “Lightning Press” was invented—­A good night’s work—­Patents his invention—­The first “Lightning Press”—­Demand for it—­Rapid growth of the business of the firm—­Statement of the operations of the house—­Personal characteristics of Richard M. Hoe—­The “Lightning Press” at work.

CHAPTER XIX.

Samuel Colt.

Birth and parentage—­A restless boy—­Dislikes school—­Early fondness for mechanical inventions—­Is sent to boarding-school—­Runs away to sea—­The story of a boy’s invention, and what came of it—­Origin of the revolver—­Returns home—­His chemical studies—­Dr. Coult—­The lecturing tour—­His success—­Completes his design for the revolver—­Patents his invention—­Visits England—­Discovery at the Tower of London—­Returns home—­Formation of the “Patent Arms Company”—­Objections of the officers of the army and navy to the revolver—­The Florida War—­It is decided by the revolver—­Triumph of Col.  Colt—­Cessation of the demand for arms—­Failure of the company—­Beginning of the Mexican War—­Action of General Taylor—­No revolvers to be had—­A strange dilemma for an inventor—­The new model—­Contracts with the Government—­Success of the revolver in Mexico—­The demand from the frontier—­Emigration to California and Australia—­Permanent establishment of Col.  Colt’s business—­The improved weapon—­Builds a new armory—­Description of his works at Hartford—­A liberal employer—­Other inventions of Col.  Colt—­His submarine telegraph—­His fortune—­His marriage—­Visits to Europe—­Attentions from European dignitaries—­Witnesses the coronation of the Emperor of Russia—­His last illness and death.

CHAPTER XX.

Samuel F.B.  Morse.

Birth—­Parentage—­Early education—­Graduates at Yale College—­Becomes an artist—­His masters—­Visits England—­His first attempt—­“The Dying Hercules”—­Opinion of Benjamin West—­Wins the medal of the Adelphi Society of Arts—­Ambition as an artist—­His cold reception by the Americans—­Mr. Tuckerman’s comments—­Organizes the National Academy of Design—­Visits Europe the second time—­The homeward voyage in the “Sully”—­News of the experiments at Paris with the electro-magnet—­How the electric telegraph was invented—­Morse is made a professor in the University of New York—­Completion of his model—­An imperfect telegraph—­His first experiments—­The duplicate finished—­First