The Pedomotor

[from the Philadelpliia Record.] The newspaper carrier who serves papers to tlie attendants in the Permanent Exhibition building goes his rounds at tlie rate of twelve miles an hour. He travels on machines notunlike roller skates, which are callecl pedomotors, according to tlie inventor, Mr. J. H. Hobbs, an architect on Walnnt street. The day is not f ar distant when the whole city wiH be on wheels- when pedestrians will be skimming throngh the streets at the rate of ten miles an hour without any more effort than is now put forth in perambulatiug half tliafc distance. The pedomotor consists of four tough, lig-ht ivooden wheels, supplied witn an outerrim of tough india-rubber. These wheels are secured to a frame the shape of the foot, which is strapped to the pedal extremities in the usual manner. Unlike roller-skates, the wheels of these little vehieles are not under, but are placed on each side of the foot, thus giving the wearer a good standing, as well aa a solid footing. The rear wheels are three inches in diameter, while those in front are but two and a half inches. This gives the foot a slight incline, and, when in motion, has much to do in impelling the pedestrian forward. Extending from the toe, with a slight curl toward the ground.is a piece of casting tenneel the pusher, whioh is simplyusedinmountins an elevation or steep 'incline. From the center of the heel a sniall brass wheel exfends backward, serving así a giiide as well as a brake. The whole scarcely tartos the scale at a pound weight. In using them no moro effort is required than in ordinary walking. The wearer steps with his regular stride, and is amazed to find himself skimming over the g) ound so rapidly with so little muscular effort. Mr. Hobbs explains the mystery of the rapid móvemeut in this manner:. A man whose stride is thirty-two inches will traverse forty-eight inches, or onehalf further, with the pedomotor. This is because the body is in constant mo tion. " For instnnce," says he, " the traveler starts, and, while he raises one foot to step, he continúes rapidly onward until that foot is set down and the other raised to make another step. This gives him more momentnm, and away he goes. over two miles in the same time to accomplish a mile with the feet. No effort of the body is required for their use, as in skates. The traveler simply plants one foot before the other, and finds himself whizzed along at a livoly rate."