New-York tribune., 1878-09-28

using magnetoeeetrc machines to transmit mechanical
force was the resistance in the conductors The resist
ance OF solid conductor, such telegraph wire was
IN direct proportion 10 its length. and wire ten miles
long would therefore offer ten times the resistance ola
single mile OF the same wire Copper wires gave ess
resistance than wires of other materials When two
magnetoeectrie machines united by copper rods at
short distances the loss OF the power transmitted was
slight; but when attempt was made to convey tbs
power several miles, the resistance proved serious OBJ
staele
The only way to lessen this resistance" Mt Edison
sad 81" 20 increase the size Of the conducting rods IL
has been found that the resistance Of wire decreases
its size increases the ratio Of the square Of
diameter Thus wire One-fOurth Of an inch In thick
ness VIII offer only One-fourth the resistance of
oneeghth OF an inch thick and OF the length It
also takes four OF the thin wires make up the
stance OF the thick wire, and four miles Of the thick
wire will therefore conduct electricity as readily AZ one
mile OF the thin wire three-eghths OF inch thick
and nine miles long Will conduct much electricity as
can be carried mile over wire one-eighth OF an
inch thick. Thus when yon double the thickness OF
wire, you make it four times as long. and You
treble its thickness you make it nine times long
and on, without affecting its resistance Ia this way
It is possible convey power many miles by increas
ing the size of the conducting rods Very large copper
rods would be necessary to carry the power Of large
fall OF water like that Of Niagara and the distance
which such power could be carried would be limited by
the cost of the rods 1t would not be practicable
carry such power the State OF NewYork, but
think the power Of Niagara Falls could be used at dis
tance OF twenty miles more-say Buao-with less
expense than that OF steam power"
'Tho is no reason" Mr.. Edison continued, why the
natural power 10 rivers and water falls, large
cities not be used place of steam, through these
magnetOeeetric machines. Conducting rods, used TO
carry the electricity long distances be tapped at any
rofpf eiraH of tha az
tricity taken off, 1t will be necessary only 10 place
resistance in the local wire The cost Of getting
motive power in this will be much less than the
cost OF steam power. In the mining regions, where
water power is usually abundant, conducting rods
be into the deepest mines aud electricity can De
used IN place Of compressed air. TO work the diamond
drills Not only that but the magnetOelectrc machines
be used in taking the metals from the ores. Mr..
Wallace has in his mandatory some machines that
are able to melt copper wires ten rect long and
as thick as my little finger, Through which the
currents of electricity made to iOw He has passed
of electricity through containing copper
ore and the pure copper been dissolved out in short
time Then by passing the currents in opposite dree
ton he has precpiated the pure copper in layers do
not why this method OF reducing ores could not be
carried out in all the mining districts"
"Mr. wallaces machines produce electricity which
can be made available for electric lights" Mr. Edison
continued have let the other inventors get the start
given much attention 10 electric lights but believe
can catch up with them now. Ihaye an idea that
] can make the electric light available Tor AZ
common uses and supply IL at trifng cost compared
with that of gas. There Is difficulty about dividing
IN the ectric currents and using small quantities ~
different points. The trouble Is in finding candle that
will glye prasant light not too Intense, Wlcn can De
turned of easily as gas. such candle cannot
be- made from carbon points which waste away and
must be rea6usted constantly while they do last Some
composition must be discovered which viii DC lunlDOhs
wnen charged with electricity, and that will waste
away. platinum wire gives good light when a GER
tain quantity OF electricity passed through IT, III tbe
current is made too srOng, however the wire VIII mtlI
want get something better. have cheulstat Woik
helping me TO hnd the composition that "lll DC maac
luminous by electricity. New that have machne 70
make the electricity, can experiment as mueh n
please. think" he added smiling there Is Were clh
beat the other inventors as have SO many iacl'eS
here for trying experiments"
If make the electric ght SUPPLY the place OF
gas, you can easily make great fortune tie reporter
g I do9't care 80 much for fortune" Mr.. Edison
Waut to make something new. 1 spend good deal OF
time in making things that don't pay M cent ut De-
cause they are Here Is one thing Tor Instance"
Mr.. Edison walked. to table on which were
ranged several tuningfOrks two or thTee metal tbs
ana tall glass jars containing water lie heid ~
his hand brass tube closed at one emu ahc asinE WO
Sits opposite each other extending from near the hd
die to the open end. When he struck tIe
eaye forth n clear tone somewhat louder
than that OF ordinary tunhg-tork. M
Fdison moved the tube back and forth over the
mouth Df glass lar into which his assistant Mr. Bach
eer. pouring water, lew drops at tne lhe jar
d ed at length to point which made It's tone cor,
respond 10 that Of the tube and the volume OF Ouna
was greatly increased. This Is my new tinlng-fork,'
Mr Ellison sil holding up the brass tube. " In making
experiments with the common tuulhg-iO - - ls
been necessary 60 mount them ON wooden D9A"s 10
them resonant enough to be heard AT distance
IOm the ear In tins FORK nave ylDraths CVunn ot
enclosed by the metal Sides and you can hear mo
considerable distance am tying now 70 tuhe
the fork certain key. There Is no money IN TINS u-
venuOn, but will be OF some service to scehtihe men'
| think"