The Leavenworth weekly times., 1878-10-31
ElECTRICLIGHT.

Mr.. Ellison has heretofore been very
reticent about his electrict light, but now
that he has received a patent for his inven-
ton or discovery, he is much more COM
municative, and is disposed to let the pub
lie know what he claims for it, and what he
expects to accomplish with it. A newspa-
per man had a conversation with him on
the subject, few days ago, and from his
report we copy as follows:
on being questioned concerning the a, IL
cles of incorporation as the Edison Eler,ric
Light Company, Mr.. Edison said that they
proposed TO light the ci,y, public build nes,
and private residences with electric lights
The electricity would be made by twenty or
more engines, stationed in different parts OF
tine city. I'VE could lay the wires right
through the gas pipes, and bring them into
houses All that will be necessary Will be
I" remove the gas burners and suostltnte el,
by a rev, the same as gas. You may have
a bright light or OF, as you wish, and You
can turn IL d wn or up Just as you please,
is needed to light it. You turn the cock, the
electricity connection is made, the platinum
b rner Catches a proper cecree OF heat ana
nor flame, and there is no singing nor
Pickering l don't pretend that
it will give II much better light than
gas. but 1t will be whiier and sfeadier. tn.n
any known light. 1 do know tnat 1t Will
be CHI aper tn ,n gas. Ii will give no fumes
nor smoke No csrbonic acid gas Will be
thrown of by combustion. Ii Will oe great
thing for compusitOr>, engravers, ana al
forced 10 work during hot summer nights,
for II will throw out scarcely any heat.
Shades may be used, the same as shades up
siiy for tn m. Tue wind can't blow it out
here can be no gas explosions and no one
will be suffocated, because ,he electricity Is
turned on, for l; cannot be turned on without
lighting he burner. person may have
lamps made with flexible cords, and carry
them from one poi I TO another
Mr.. Edison says that electric generating
machines could be placed upon steambo ats
and locomotives, and the boats and cars
lighted by the action of the engines.
but the instant that the machinery
thinks that 1t may be necessary TO have an
extra engine in each station IN cities 10 be
prepsrei for accidents. IL the first engine
should break down, the second one could De
used 10 feed the lights. Coun ~ towns, with
the use Of electric generating machines,
could be lighted by water power Any power
could be used, provided IL was strong enough
to turn the shaft of the machine with the
The Professor then exhibited an electric
generating machine. 1t was what 10 known
ran around the cylinder facing each other.
and wires were attached to IT. 4k,. Edtsoh
slipped belt over the machine, an09be en-
gine used in his manuiactory began TO turn
the CYLINDER He touched the point Of the
wire on a small piece Of metal near the win.
dow-casing and there was a fash OF binding
white light. 1t was repeated at each touch.
.sThere is your steam power turned into an
electric lisht,u he said. There was the light,
clear COLI and beautiful. Tle intense bright
ness was gone, and there was nothine trrtta.
ting to the eye. The mechani m
Was SO simple and perfect thai
IL explained itself. The strip OF
platinum that acted as q burner did not burn.
II was incandescent. IL threw on . light
pure and white, and II was set In gallows-
like name; but IL giowed with the phospho-
resent effulRence of the afar Affair. You
could trace the veins In your hands and the
spots and lines upon your hnxer-nails by It's
brightness. All the surplus e!ectricity had
been turned of, and the platinum shone
with n mellow radiance through the small
glass globe that surrounded IL. A turn OF the
screw and its brightness became dazzling.
and reduced itself to the fAintest Ylimmer Of
a glox-worm. II seemed perfect.