HISTORICAL EXTRACTS (CHRONOLOGICALLY STATED) One century ago there lived in Philadelphia two young men who independently conceived the idea of founding an American institution for promoting knowledge of physical science and its diffusion in the arts and industries. One of them was Samuel V. Merrick, then not quite twenty-one years old, and the other was Prof. William H. Keating of the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Merrick issued several calls for meetings for the consideration of the project, but no one attended. Prof. Keating had completed his scientific training in France and Switzerland and had returned to the United States full of zeal for the diffusion of science applied to agriculture and the mechanic arts. He was immediately appointed to the newly created chair of Chemistry in its application to Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts, at the University of Pennsylvania and while thus engaged sought to interest his friends and others in his plans for a scientific and technical society. Mr. Merrick and Prof. Keating comparing notes agreed to make another effort to hold another meeting for purposes they both had in mind. Six gentlemen attended this meeting and a committee was appointed to draft a plan of organization, constitution, etc. A small meeting was held, a plan approved, and Mr. Merrick and Prof. Keating set about to carry it into execution. Four of the Committee selected from 1,200 to 1,600 names of citizens. from the City Directory and invited them to attend another meeting to be held at the County court house at Sixth and Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia, on the evening of February 5, 1824. The court house was filled to overflowing and from this meeting dates the founding of The Franklin Institute. 1824, February 5. First public meeting held in the County Courthouse, Sixth and Chestnut Streets for the purpose of organizing The Franklin Institute. A constitution was adopted and a day fixed for the election of officers. February 16. First Election of officers, James Ronaldson elected president. March 4. Committee on Lectures appointed and the Chair of Mineralogy and Chemistry established. March 30. An act to incorporate The Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania, for the Promotion of the Mechanic Arts passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor. Dr. William H. Keating, Professor of Mineralogy and Chemistry delivered the first lecture of the first course in the Academy Building, Fourth Street, below Arch, in April. A Drawing School for members' sons and apprentices was opened in October. John Haviland, professor in charge, assisted by Hugh Bridport, artist and painter of miniatures. October 18, 19 and 20, first exhibition of products of American industry held in Carpenters' Hall. Thirty premiums were offered for specimens of blister steel, bar iron, broadcloths, domestic carpetings, etc. Three hundred exhibits; ten silver medals and two bronze medals were awarded. 1825, April 4. A Mathematical School for members, their sons and apprentices was opened under the direction of Mr. Levi Fletcher. June 8. This day at high 12 o'clock The Corner Stone of the Hall of The Franklin Institute was laid in ancient and Masonic form by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania in the presence of the Society. After the appropriate ceremonies had been performed by the Grand Master, prayers were offered up by the Revd. C. G. Potts, Grand Chaplain. The Grand Treasurer deposited in the cavity of the Stone, a glass cylinder hermetically sealed containing: The constitution and by-laws of The Franklin Institute with their first annual report and list of Members, etc. Medal of William Penn and the Indian chief, sitting under a tree smoking the calumet of peace, on the reverse the allseeing eye, inscribed "Let us look to the Most high, who blessed our fathers with peace." Head of Washington inscribed "George Washington: Commission resigned-Presidency relinquished-1797." A Silver Medal, with the head of James Munroe, Late President of the United States. On reverse: The Hands of an American officer and an Indian Chief grasped, under the Calumet of Peace. Motto: "Peace and Friendship." 3 Coins of the United States 1825. A parchment Scroll on which was inscribed the following: On the 8th day of June 1825 A. D. 5825 A L and of the independence of these United States the forty-ninth-this Corner Stone of the Hall of The Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania for the promotion of the Mechanic Arts was laid in Ancient and Masonic Form by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. James Harper, Jr., R. W. G. M. Robert Toland, R. W. G. T. The Franklin Institute was founded the 5th day of February, A. D. 1824 and incorporated the 30th day of March, 1824. Names of the officers of the year 1825: President, James Ronaldson. Vice-presidents, Math. Carey, I. Lukens. Recording Secretary, W. Strickland; Corresponding Secretary, P. A. Treasurer, Thos. Fletcher. Managers, Paul Beck, Jr., Jno. Harrison, Saml. R. Wood, William Peter A. Browne, S. R. Wood, S. V. Merrick, James McAlpin, J. B. Architect, Jno. Haviland. M. Carpenter, Jas. Clarke. M. Marble Mason, John Struthers. M. Bricklayer, Daniel Groves. The assembly was then addressed by P. A. Browne, Esq. and Adjourned. (From the minutes of The Franklin Institute, vol. A.) Dr. Thomas P. Jones appointed Professor of Mechanics and Natural Philosophy. October 6, 7 and 8, second exhibition of American manufactures held in Masonic Hall, Chestnut Street, west of Seventh. The number of articles exhibited far exceeded that of the previous year. Eighty-five premiums were offered. Six hundred and ninety-nine articles are listed in the catalogue of exhibits. 1826, January. First number of THE FRANKLIN JOURNAL was issued under the editorial management of Dr. Thomas P. Jones. In addition to his position as Editor, Dr. Jones also acted as Recording Secretary of the Institute and Curator of its collections. April 12, 1828 he was appointed Superintendent of the U. S. Patent Office. It extended its educational efforts by establishing on April 6 a High School in which Mathematics, Drawing, Geography, History, Latin, Greek, French, Spanish and German were taught. 304 pupils were in attendance in October, 300 were studying English, 153 French, 105 Latin, 35 Greek, 45 Spanish, 20 German, 300 Elocution, 240 Geography, 231 Drawing and all of them Mathematics. The School was continued until 1832 and was the predecessor of the Central High School. October 3, 4, 5, 6, third exhibition of American manufactures was held in Masonic Hall. Silver medals were awarded for soft iron castings, flint glass ware, china from American materials, skirting and japanned leather, white lead, etc. 34,000 visitors. 1827. Select Committee on Dry Docks made a lengthy illustrated report on the plans submitted by Commodore James Barron, U. S. N., and Captain Thomas Caldwell, giving costs, methods of operation, etc. October 4, 5, 6 and 8, fourth exhibition of American manufactures held in Masonic Hall. Sixty-two premiums were offered. John L. Wilson, a pupil of the High School of The Franklin Institute, was awarded a silver medal for his map of South America which was exhibited at that time. 1828, October 8, 9, 10 and 11, fifth annual exhibition of American manufactures held in Masonic Hall. Forty-five premiums were offered. Awards were made for specimens of annealed cast iron (the first attempt in this country to anneal iron for general purposes), for the best porcelain made in the United States, for calicos or prints, etc. Robert P. Warner, a pupil of the High School, was awarded a silver medal for his drawing of an air pump. 1829. Committee appointed to investigate the efficiency of moving water as a motive power. The report of the Committee, containing much information, and the results obtained from seven hundred experiments, the effect of each of which was submitted to minute calculation, appeared in the JOURNAL of the Institute for 1831 and 1832. The second portion of the report dealing chiefly with overshot wheels, undershot wheels, and breast wheels was published in March, April, May, June and July, 1841. 1830, September 14 to 19 inclusive, sixth exhibition of American manufactures held in Masonic Hall. The exhibition distinguished itself from all preceding ones by the great excellence of the articles deposited. Thirtyseven premiums were proposed, but three only were adjudged to be due; the first for the best stock or standing vice, the second for a cooking stove, and the third to the maker of a vegetable oil that would answer as a substitute for olive oil. The exhibit of American silk was most noteworthy. Because of the numerous accidents in steam boats, a committee of five members was appointed to inquire and report whether it be expedient for the Board to institute an investigation into the probable causes of these accidents and the proper remedy to be applied to prevent their recurrence. The appointment of a large committee was suggested to inquire into the probable causes of the explosions of boilers, the best way to obviate the recurrence of these evils, and to limit the extent of their injurious influence. Seventeen members were appointed to undertake this investigation, including Dr. Thomas P. Jones, Professor Walter R. Johnson, Matthias W. Baldwin Frederick Graff and Isaiah Lukens. While the work of the Committee was still in progress, the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States requested that further extension of the Institute's inquiry include the prevention of steam boiler explosions. This led naturally to an investigation of the strength of materials, and the Committee devised apparatus of various forms for the testing of metals, building materials, steam boilers, etc. The correspondence and documents collected by the Committee with its extensive report appeared in the issues of the JOURNAL of the Institute for 1831, 1832, 1833 and 1834. The report of experiments on the prevention of boiler explosions was published in January, February, March, April and May 1836, and the results of the investigations on the strength of materials with numerous illustrations and detailed descriptions of original apparatus appeared in the JOURNAL February to August 1837. 1831, October 4 to 8 inclusive, seventh exhibition of domestic manufactures held in Masonic Hall. Visitors exceeded forty thousand. Eighty-nine premiums were proposed of which fifteen were adjudged due. Fifteen additional premiums were recommended. A silver medal and one hundred dollars were awarded for a cast iron cooking stove for anthracite coal. Five hundred and forty-two articles were exhibited. 1832. Commenced an investigation into the resources of the Commonwealth considered in relation to its industry and manufactures, an occasion which led to a geological survey of the State. Walter R. Johnson presented a notable communication on "The Strength of Cylindrical Steam Boilers." The results given are based on the extensive series of experiments made by the Institute's Committee on the Explosion of Steam Boilers. 1833. The Institute was requested by the State Legislature to examine and report upon a bill relating to weights and measures and admeasurement reported to the House of Representatives June 26, 1833. A special committee of seventeen was appointed to consider the matter. The extensive report which included a detailed statement on the weights and measures of France, England and the United States, as well as an authentication of the Troy pound used in the United States Mint, appeared in the JOURNAL for November, 1833 and February to July inclusive, 1834. The Governor requested the Committee to superintend the construction of the Standards. The present laws of the state are based on the recommendations made as a result of this investigation. October I to 5 inclusive, eighth exhibition of domestic manufactures held in Masonic Hall. Over seven hundred exhibits. Fifty thousand visitors. Silver medals were awarded for lamps, pianos, rifles, hardware, carpets, cotton and woolen goods, etc. 1834. Joint committee of The Franklin Institute and the American Philosophical Society first began systematic meteorological observations in aid of agricultural and other interests. A circular issued by the Committee requested observers to note the direction of the wind; to collect all information concerning storms-their width, direction, velocity, etc.; and the beginning and end of all rains. Detailed instructions were given for taking the "dew point." The Committee consisted of eight members, three from the American Philosophical Society and five from The Franklin Institute, Dr. James P. Espy acting as Chairman. This Committee continued its work successfully until 1838 when that portion appointed by the Philosophical Society were discharged by that body and the Board of Managers at once appointed a standing Committee on Meteorology to continue the collection of the data. By an Act of the Legislature, passed March 31, 1837, two thousand dollars were appropriated with the further sum of one thousand dollars for each of the two years next ensuing, for the purpose of promoting |