Inventing the incubator

<p>On Aug. 17, 1881, the Courier reported: “A Petaluma chicken raiser has constructed an incubator at Calistoga, the heat being used from the hot spring … If he succeeds, the devil will monopolize the chicken business … There are many things in this world that had better be done in the old way and hatching chickens is one of them.”</p><p>Yet, just over a month later, the Courier did a complete turnaround, reporting on Sept. 21, “The novel machine invented by two Petaluma gentlemen, Messrs. Jacobs and Dias, was one of the most attractive exhibits at the Fair. It is a success in every sense of the word, and cannot fail to meet with a large sale.”</p><p>Isaac Dias, a 25-year-old dentist from New Orleans, had been working on an artificial incubator for several years. In 1879, he first offered his “Petaluma Incubators” for sale, and in 1881 Dias formed a partnership with Lyman Byce (to be featured in the September Petalumans in History column), patenting the invention. </p><p>Dias also invented and patented an automatic stock feeder so his horse could eat without Dias having to stop work to feed it.</p><p>By 1883, the Courier wrote that Dias’ incubator had proved so popular “that he has manufactured and sold about 200 machines … His business has increased so rapidly that he is now employing 10 men …” The same paper reported his marriage to Miss Alzine Rhoades and referred to Dias as “one of Petaluma’s most intelligent and enterprising citizens.”</p><p>Later that year, he was elected foreman of the Petaluma Hook and Ladder Company.</p><p>The following year the Courier reported, “It is pretty generally understood throughout the chicken fraternity in this section that if the Dias & Byce incubator continues to be a success, hens will draw a back salary and quit the business altogether.”</p><p>But on Nov. 30, 1884, while duck hunting south of town with his assistant, John Stone, Dias died mysteriously. Stone and Dias were to meet at noon and, although Stone had heard shots earlier, Dias did not appear. Eventually Stone gathered a search party, which found Dias’ body a few feet from his boat. It was presumed he had pulled the shotgun toward him by the barrels when it went off, as the search party reported the hammers of the shotgun jammed under the seat and one barrel discharged.</p><p>“He had genius, energy and good business talent and was a useful citizen … an inventor and manufacturer of no small ability,” the Courier eulogized.</p>