New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-12-10
IMPROVING THE ELECTRIC LIGHT.
RESULTS or MR. EDIsoNs LATEST EXPERIMENTS A.,
MEMO PARK-PRoRRssoR sEELEY's ADDRgss
nRFORR THE ACADEMY OF sCIgNcFs

RESULTS or Dir. EDIsoN's LATEST EXPERIMENTS A.,
MEMO PARK-PRoRRssoR sEELEY's ADDRys.
BEFORE THE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
Patents for Thomas A. EdisOn's proposed
new electric light were issued yesterday. They cora,
inventions for dividing the light and for regulating ths
flow Of electric currents through platinum wires n,
which the light is produced. circulated ~
Gently that these inventions nfringemenGs on Tia
discoveries Of an English inventor, but h
was learned that committee to which
the inventions were referred decided that Mr. Edor
discoveries Mr.. Edison recently declined IA
give to THE TRIBUNE description OF his electric leh,
saving that II would be unsafe for him TO publish his IN
venons until they had been patented reporter who
visited Mr. EdsOn's workshop at MenO Park. n j. 70.
terday. met again by courteous refusal Several
prominent members Of the stock company which ha,
been formed to introduce the light into general USE
were present at the laboratory, but they wen
under inunctiOns OF secrecy and would not
talk II was stated that some further inyen.
tons were needed TO make the light praeteabh
for general illuminating purposes Mr. Edison had s
cOuntered several difficulties which he had overcome by
the inventions already patented but he had made other
discoveries which were yet to be patented Thsss
discoveries it said the most important Of aI
in the way OF making the electric light available and 10
disclose them TO the public would endanger the success
OF the entire enterprise Some delay would beiore
applications would be made Tor patents as they
relate TO the Of materials which are not
easily obtained in this country. Meanwhile
Mr.. Edison to make trials OF several maguetOlecr
machines which have been sent TO him by the several
manufacturers in this cOuDtr, to determine which ma.
ohineis best adapted 10 furnish electricity for bis new
light A new steam engine OF large power set up
yesterday in ms workshop, and will be used these
machines Admission to the laboratory aud WORKSHOP
is denied to all visitors, except members OF the electric
hight company.
Professor Charles A. seyley delivered an address on
the electric light before the NewHOrk Academy OF Sci
last evening He reviewed the history 81 discover
les in electricity in this country and IN Europe The yen
ton Of the agnetOelectrc machines he said ,eheapud
electricity and opened the way 20 new discoveries In
1866 Horace Greeley was a member OF an association
which formed to promote the use OF the electro
light. The fact that brilliant light could be produced
by the turning OF a crank captivated his Imagination
and he wrote several articles support Of attempts
which were being made TO perfect the hght
e" freely declare my conviction" Dir. Seeley COZ
tinued that the pracctbty of the electric light has
been demonstrated at length do not say that the eee
light will he made to take the place OF gastght in
the illumination or private dwellings, but cannot
doubt That 1t will be used illuminate large buildings
public squares and streets. Tne efficiency OF the
electric light is proved by its comparative cheap
ness Professor Anthony, OF Cornell University,
has discovered that OIL used IN steam en-
CINE will produce electric light three times as great
the light furnished by the oil when burned IN lamps
In CONCLUSION. Mr. Seeey DTOpOdnded some queries re-
Gdrding the relation between mechanical force anu
light. The future or the electric lght he DelleVeu
would depend the settlement OF these questions.