🚀 go-pugleaf

   "In order of time, I should have mentioned before, that having,
in 1742, invented an open stove for the better warming of rooms,
and at the same time saving fuel, as the fresh air admitted was
warmed in entering, I made a present of the model to Mr. Robert
Grace, one of my early friends, who, having an iron-furnace, found
the casting of the plates for these stoves a profitable thing, as
they were growing in demand.  To promote that demand, I wrote and 
published a pamphlet, entitled `An Account of the new-invented
Pennsylvanian Fireplace; wherein their Construction and Manner of
Operation are particularly explained; their Advantages above every
other Method of warming Rooms demonstrated; and all Objections that
have been raised against the Use of them answered and obviated,' &c.
This pamphlet had a good effect.  Governor Thomas was so pleased
with the construction of this stove, as described in it, that he
offered to give me a patent for the sole vending of them for a term
of years; but I declined it from a principle which has ever weighhed
with me on such occations, viz., \fIThat, as we enjoy great
advantages from the inventions of others, we should be glad of an
opportunity to serve others by any invention of ours; and this we
should do freely and generously\fR." 

   "An ironmonger in London, however, assuming a good deal of my
pamphlet, and working it up into his own, and making some small
changes in the machine, which rather hurt its operation, got a 
patent for it there, and made, as I was told, a little fortune by
it.  And this is not the only instance of patents taken out of my
inventions by others, though not always with the same success, 
which I never contested, as having no desire of profiting by patents
myself, and hating disputes.  The use of these fireplaces in very
many houses, both here in Pennsylvania and the neighboring states,
has been, and is, a great savings of wood to the inhabitants."


  Benjamin Franklin: his Autobiography; with a Narrative of His
Public Life and Services (Chapter VIII), by Rev. H. Hastings Weld,
New York, Derby & Jackson, 119 Nassau St., 1859.
-- 
Bill Hutchison, DP Consultant	psuvax1!burdvax!ubbpc!wgh (work)
Unisys UNIX Portation Center	uunet!eidolon!wgh (home)
P.O. Box 500, M.S. B121         "At the moment I feel more like arguing than
Blue Bell, PA 19424		being good" Raymond Smullyan _The Tao is Silent_