Daily Los Angeles herald., 1878-11-02
New York Herald

New York Herald
The alarm among the English
gas companies and the panic in
their stocks on account of Edison's
last Invention in electric lights are
not without good cause. Americas
great inventor has, in truth, solved
the problem which for years has
puzzled the ablest electricians of
the age. He has successfully di-
vided the electric light. and made
II, for Illuminating purposes, as far
superior to gas as gas is to the tall
low candle OF the past. His mar
velous Invention gives a mild, soft.
yet brilliant light, pleasing to the
eye, clear, steady and without
blemish, and at cost less
than one-third of that re-
quired for gas. Those who |
have seen the invention pro.
nounce it wonderful. Already a |
company has been formed, com.
posed of number of wealthy capi-
talists, and Mr.. Edison's lawyers
are engaged in completing the final
arrangements for the legal trans.
fer. Before long, therefore, the
work of Introduction will begin.
The patents for the United States
have just been granted, while those
for the various countries of Europe
have not yet been obtained. To-
day the Professors solicitors send
by steamer the necessary docu-l
n1ents to their London agents for
the procurement of the British let
ters-patent. The French and other
patents will be applied for stimuli
taneously with the English one.
When word is cabled Mr.. Edison
that the letters have been
granted, he will throw his inven-
ton open to the public. but until
then he declines to make known
Its details, his recent controversy
with Professor Hughes over the al
legged stealing of the microphone
having made him cautious.
THE SECRET WELL GUARDED.
When the other great inventions
of Mr.. Edison were in progress the
laboratory was free to all visitors.
The telephone was seen by hun
dreds long before letters-patent
were granted. The same was the
case with the phonograph, the tas.
imeter, the megaphone, the quad
ruplex telegraph, and many other
Of his inventions. When urged, as
q often was by his associates OF
-he laboratory, to be more circum-
spect in exhibiting them prema.
turely to strangers, he invariably
laughed off their fears and renewed
bis orders to show the inventions to
all who desired to see them. The
case with the electric light is far
different. It's place in the labora
tory is one sacred to a favored few.
II the hosts of visitors who daily
swarm the laboratory of the great
inventor see ii, they see it only In
detached form. The essence of the
discovery Is missing. Mr.. Edison
himself speaks but little on the
subject, but he is almost constantly
at work on it. Early morning sees
him in the laboratory, and it is af-
ter midnight when he leaves. On
Thursday last he worked continu-
ously from sunrise until sunrise the
following day, and then ceased on
~ after the earnest opportunities
Af his assistants. A his energies
seem wrapped up in the new inven-
tion. His megaphone and phouo-
graph lie idle, save the work done
on them by some of the Professors
numerous assistants.
THE PROPOSED SYSTEM.
A Herald reporter learned yeste
day the system proposed to be
adopted after the patents are all
granted. First, the Professor will
light up all the houses in Menlo
Park gratis, and from his labora.
tory watch the lights progress
from night to night. When all is
in readiness for general introduc-
ton, central stations will proba bly
be established throughout New
York City, each station controlling
territory of perhaps radius OF
half a mile. In the central stations
will be the magnetic electric gene.
rating machines run by engines.
Wires will then be run in iron
pipes under ground after the man.
ner Of gas.pipes, connecting with
dwellings, stores, theaters and
other places to be lighted. The gas
fixtures at present used, instead of
being removed, will be utilized to
incase the wire. Inthe place of the
burner will be the Invention, and
meters will be used to register the
>quantity of electricity consumed.
Their form is not yet determined
upon. The light is to be of the bat
wing, fifteen. candle power charac.
ter. To light it little spring is
touched, and instantly the electric.
ity does its work. The amount of
light can be regulated in the same
way as can that from gas. To turn
off the light the spring is again
touched, and Instantly all is dark.
ness. No matches being used, and
there being no flame, all the dan.
ger incident to the use of gas are
obviated. The light gives out nc
heat. 1t is simply a pure white
light, made dim or brilliant at the
fancy Of the person using it.
A GLANCE AT THE INVENTION.
The writer last night saw the in
vention in operation in Mr.. EdI-
sons laboratory. The inventor
was deep in experimental research
es when he called. The apparatus
consisted of small metal stand
placed on the table. Surrounding
the light was small glass globe.
Near by was gas-jet burning low.
The Professor looked up from his
work to greet the reporter, and In
reply to request to view the in
vention, waved his hands towards
the light with the explanation.