The Mechanical Handling and Storing of Material

264 THE MECHANICAL HANDLING OE MATERIAL The first English patent for ropeways was taken out on the 20th July 1868, by Charles Hodgson, and the Continental pioneers were Theobald Obach, 1870, and Adolf Bleichert, 1873, and on these inventions most of the modern ropeways are more or less founded. As far as the author has been able to ascertain, the first ropeway of any note erected on the single rope system was built in the year 1860, in the Hartz Mountains, by Baron F. F. von Diicker. The first ropeway on the double rope system, that is to say, with hauling rope and rail rope, was also built by him between the years 1868 and 1870. For Fig. 387. An Early Ropeway erected for the City of Dantzig. the further development in the early stages we are indebted to Kremer, Bleichert, and Otto, who in 1874 made these conveyors a practical success. First of all, it may be stated that the prime cost and working expenses of ropeways are relatively moderate. Of course, the manufacturer who intends to put up a ropeway should estimate exactly what work it will have to do, so as to proportion his outlay to the useful effect he desires. The working expenses should be moderate, as even extensive ropeways require but a small working staff. The cost of repairs and upkeep must necessarily be considered, but good material, sound workmanship, and above all suitable construction, will, in this as in other cases, reduce expenses to a minimum. One great advantage of a ropeway is, that it may be worked over ground that would be impracticable for a tram or railway, except at a prohibitive cost for such items as embankments, cuttings, and tunnels. Indeed, it may be said that in dealing with rough or mountainous ground