Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1878-10-30
Electric Light.
(New 70 K Herald.)

WI SoOu Oduoc' AiucilCd SIcdI III
ventor has in truth solved the problem
which for years has puzzled the ablest
electricians of the age. He has success
fully divided the electric light, and made
it, fer Illuminating purposes, as far
superior to gas as gas is to the tallow can
die ofthe past. His marvellous inyention
gives mild, soft, yet brilliant, pleasing
to the eye, clear. steady and without
blemish, and at cost less than one
third Of that required for gas. Those
who have seen the invention pronounce
it wonderful. Already a company has
been formed, composed Of anumber of
wealthy capitalists and Mr.. Edison's
lawyers are engaged in completing the
final arrangements for the legal transfer.
Before long, therefore, the work Of in
PRODUCTION will begin. The patents for
the United States have only just been
granted, while those for the various
countries Of Europe have not yet been
obtained. To-day the Professors so.
llcitors send by steamer the necessary
documents to their London agents for
the procurement Of the British letters
patent. The French and other patents
will be applied for simultaneously with
the English one. When word is cabled
Mr.. Edison that the patents have been
granted he will throw his invention
open to the pablo gaze, but until then
he declines to make known its details,
his recent controversy with Professor
Hughes over the alleged stealing of the
mlcrophone having made him cautions.
THE SECRET WE'LL GUARDED.
When the other great myenuons Of
Mr.. Edison were in progress the labOIa-
tory was free to all visitors. The telc-
phone was seen by hundreds long be-
fore letters patent were granted. The
same was the case with the phonegraph
the tasimcter. the megaphone. the
quadrupleX telegraph and many oteer
sf his inventions. When urged, as he
often was by his associates Of the
laboratory, to be more circumpect in
exhibiting them prematurely to strang.
ers, he invariably laughed of their fears
and renewed hi, orders to show the
inventions to all who desired TO see
them. The case with the electric
light is far different. Its place in the
laboratory is enc sacred to a favored
few. If the hosts Of visitors who daily
swarm the laboratory Of the great in
ventor see it, they see it only in de-
tached form. The essence Of the dis
cOyery 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 labora-
tory, and il is after midnight when h
leaves. On Thursday last he worked
continuously from sunrise to sunrise tn,
following day, and ceased then enlI
after the earnest opportunities Of BIZ
assistants. All bis energies seen
wrapped up in the new invention. Hi
megaphone and phonograph lie idle
save tie work done on them by SOM
Of the Professors numerous assistants
THE PROPOSED SYSTEM.
\ Herald reporter learned yesterday
the system proposed to be adopted aite
the patents are all granted. First th'
Prsfesssr will light up all the houses il
Menlo Park gratis, and from his labora
tory watch the lights progress from
night tonight. When all IS in readi
ness for general introduction centra
stations will probably be established
throughout New York city, each station
controlling territory of perhaps a
radius of half a mile. In the Genera
stations will be the magneto-electriC
generating machines, run by engines
Wires will then be run in iron pipe
under ground after the manner o
qaspipes, connecting with dwellings
stores, theatres, and other places to b
lighted. The Gas fixtures at presen
used. instead of being removed, will b
utilized to encase the wire. IL tn
place of the burner will be the inyen
ton. and metres will be used to regis
ter the quantity of electricity consumed
Their form is not yet determined upon
The light is to be Of the bat-wing, fifteen
candlu power character. To light 1t
little spring is touched, and Instant
the electricity does its work. The
amount flight can be regulated in tn
same way as can that from gas. II
turn off the light the spring is agail
touched. and instantly all is darkness
No matches being used, and their bein,
no flame, all the dangers incident to tn
use of gas are obviated. The ligh
ciyes out no heat. 1t is simply a pur
white LIGHT. made dim or brilliant at tn
fancy Of the person using it.
4 GLANCE AT THE INVENTION.
The writer last night saw the inyeh
ten in operation in Mr.. Ediscn'' labor
atory. The inventor was deep in exper
mental researches when he called
The apparatus consisted ofa small met
al stand placed on the table. Surround
ing the light was a small glass globe
Near by was a gas jet burning lew In
Professor l.skcd up from his work t
greet the reporter, and in reply to re
ou.st to view the invention, waved hi
hand toward the light with the expla
nation. There she is The illumina
tion was such as wsnld come frsm
.,,;.,. o,,. ;at surrosnded with orouu