In 1875 R. H. Wallace Dunlop, a resident at Ealing, took out a patent for swimming plates, or flippers, to be attached to the hands and feet with the object of preventing the `slip' which is experienced in swimming. This is the only practical device of the sort which has any value. The patentee, being himself thoroughly acquainted with the art, succeeded in producing a plate which at least to a certain extent coincided with the true swimming movements ; but notwithstanding this his patent has not gained much in public favour, and it is evident that most persons prefer the natural to assisted power in propelling themselves through the water.
Very few swimmers have taken the trouble to learn how to use the Dunlop plates, and the prophecy that swimming by their means was to be quite revolutionised has not been fulfilled. They are now sometimes used for exhibitions at entertainments, but otherwise have fallen into disuse. One most extraordinary circumstance with regard to these is that even those who can swim well with them do not, as a rule, carry out fully the idea of the inventor as detailed in his specification, No. 3,236, wherein it is stated that the plates are to be attached to the hands and feet as shown in fig. i6. It has, however, proved that there is something still lacking, as most of the swimmers who use them in the side-stroke only use one foot-plate, the reason being that when the leg which goes to the back of the body is drawn up and sent out in the positive stroke, the whole of the resisting power is, naturally, placed against the front of the foot, and the plate, being fastened at the back, then creates a drag.' It thus impedes the forward motion, and has, therefore, been discarded on that foot and only used on the foot which is drawn to the front, as in that case the resisting force of the water in the downward stroke comes against the inside of the leg and extends along the sole to the toe of the foot. The plate, being fixed underneath, pre sents a larger surface to the water, and the motive power is thus increased. A person who swims with the breast-stroke can more readily manage the plates on both feet than one whose practice has been confined entirely to the side-stroke. With regard to the hand-plates it is a different matter, for the palms of the hands in the side-stroke are usually pressed against the water, and the use of the plates is more readily acquired. But, notwithstanding the claims put forth on their behalf by the inventor and a few friends, that they make swimming easier, pleasanter and more effective, changing what is sometimes an exhausting labour into delightful recreation, and that they make a powerful swimmer of a weak one,' they have not become universally recognised or favoured, and it is very doubtful if they ever will, although they are the only serviceable appliances which have as yet been invented.
The greatest objections to them are that they cannot be used in a crowded bath, and that for open water they are cumbersome to carry about and awkward to adjust, especially when one has to walk with them on. If great care is not exercised they are liable to split, being in most cases made of thin wood, which will not stand rough usage.
There are innumerable other inventions which have at tracted attention of late years, but none of them are worthy of consideration. We may add that all the specifications which have been lodged during the last fifty years were examined by us before making this statement.
Although the patents for appliances to be used by an indi vidual far outnumber those for the assistance of teachers, yet a -fairly representative collection of ideas can be made by careful observation of the methods at present in vogue. Many of them have been adapted from patented inventions, but as a general rule it may be stated that the appliances which have been brought into public notice as likely to tend towards the diminution of the difficulties experienced by teachers have been discarded after a slight trial. Some have apparently been found useful by experiment, but they have not attained permanent success.
Among the first recorded is that of Lambert Cowell, who, in the year 1857, patented a machine with which to teach the mechanical actions of the limbs before entering the water. It was provided with a short couch or padded board of sufficient size for the body to repose on, adjustable to any required inclination.
To this were attached four movable frames for the arms and legs to rest on.
The framework was inten ded to act as a guide in the acquirement of the correct movements of the limbs, and was supposed to be so fitted with springs as to give nearly the same resisting power in the propelling stroke as the learner would experience in the water. There is no evidence to show that this machine was ever used to any extent, but it is worthy of remark that, although at this date the side-stroke was in its infancy, the inventor in his specification claimed that it could be acquired by the use of his machine (see fig. 17). There are numerous other patents, but after carefully examining them we find few worth note, and only deal with those aids to teachers which have been found of practical service.