Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-10-15
The New Electric Light,

l. liz llaIGl tuUCS lIuShoA 500 So0PN
Lies and the panic in their stocks Oh account
OF Eidisoo's last invention in electric hghte,
are got without good cause. Americas great
inventor has 10 truth solved the problem
which for years has puzzled the sblcst electri'
oiaus cf the age. He has successfully divided
tie electric light, and made it, for Illuminating
purposes, as far superior to gas as gas IS to the
talloH candle of the past His marvellous IT,
venllon gives mild, soft, yet brilliant light,
pleasing to the eye, clesr, steady ard without
bemish, and at a cost less than one.thlrd or
that required for gas. Those who have seen
the invention pronounce it wonderful. Already
a company has been formed, composed OF
number of wealthy capitalists, and Mr. Edl
sons lawyers are engaged 10 completing tho
final arrangements for the legal transfer: BE-
fore long, therefore, the work OF introduction
will bcgio. The patents for the Uolted States
have only Just been granted, while those 1or
tho various countries Of Europe have not yet
been obtained To-day the Professors sollcl
tors send by steamer the necessary docu meats
to their London agents for the procurement OF
the British letters patent. The French and
other patents will be applied f5r simultaneously
with The Ergsh ore. Whom word is cabled
Mr.. Edison that,the patents haVo been grantee
he will throw bis invention open to the puollc
gaze, but until tben he decliDesto mako known
its details, his recent controversy with Irctss'
sor Hughes, over the alleged stca log OF the
microrhonc, having made him cautious.
When the other great inventions or Mr.: Edi-
son were in progress the labratory was free to
al visitors. The telephone was seen by huo
drcds long before letters patent wero granted.
The same was the case with ihc phonograph,
the tasilncter, the mcgaphOne, the quadluDlex
telegraph ard many other OF Li' lnVen-
tions. When urged, as he ottea was by
his associates of the laboratory, 10 be
more crcumspcct 10 exhibiting them prema
turely to strangers, he Invariably laughed OFT
their fears and renewed his orders to show the
Inventions 10 all who desired 10 SOC them. The
case with the electric light is tar different. lts
place 10 tho laboratory is one sacred to favored
few. If The hosts of visitors who daily swarm
the laboratory Of the great Inventor to see II,
thew SEQ it only ia detached form. The essence
of the discovery is missing. Mr.. Ellison him
self speaks bat little on the subject, but he is
almost constantly at work on it. Early morning
sees him 10 the laboratory, and it Is alter md
oieht when he leaves. GA Thursday last be
worked continuously from sunrise until sunrise
tho following day, and ceased hon only alter
the earnest importunities of his assistants. All
his energies seem wrapped up IN the ne" 10
7entoD. His megaphonc and phonograph 10
ido save the work done on them by somc ct
the Professor 8 assistants.
A Herald reporter learned yesterday the sys
tenn proposed to be adopted after the patents
are all granted. First the Professor will hight
up all the houses in MeGio Park gratis, and from
his laboratory watch the lights progress from
uight TO night. When all is 10 readiness tor
general introduction central stations will proba-
bly, be established throughout New York city,
each station controlling territory OF, perhaps,
q radius Of half mile. 10 the central stations
will be the magnetic electric generating maonlnes
run by engines. Wires will then be run in
iron pipes under ground after the manner
Of gas pipes, connecting with dwellings,
stores, theatres and other places to
bs lighted. The gas fixtures at present used.
instead of being removed, will be utilized to
eucasc the wire. la the place Of the burner
will be the invention, and meters will be used
to register the quantity of electricity consumed.
Their form is GOT yet determined upon. The
light is to be Of the bat wing, fifteen candle
power character. TO light it little spring is
touched, and instantly the electricity does it's
work. The amount of light can be regulated
10 tho same way as eau tha! from ga9 To-,
off the light the spring is again touched, and
Instantly al is Darkness No matches being
used, and there being no flame, all the dangers
Incident TO the use of gas are obVlatcd. The
| light gives out no heat. l. is simply pure
white light, made dim or brilliant at the fancy
| cf the person usDgt.
The writer last night saw the invention ia
operation in Mr.. Edison's laboratory. The ln'
| ventor was deep in experimental researches
| when he called The apparatus consisted of o
email metal stand placed on the table. Sur
| rounding the light was small glass globe
| Near by was gas jet burning low. The Pro
fessor locked up from his work to greet the
reporter, and 10 reply to request to view The
invention waved his hand toward the light
With the explanation, "Ihere she is" The
illumination was such as would come from q
brilliant gas Jet surrounded with ground glass,
only that the light was clearer and more bril-
liant. Now | will extioguish it and light the
gas, and you can see the difference" said Mr.,
Edison, and be touched the spring. In
stantly all was darkness. Then ho turned
on the gas. The difference in the light was
quite perceptible, the light from the gas appear
log in comparison tinted with yellow. In 8
moment, however, the ego had become accus
toned to it, and the yellowish tint disappeared
Then the Professor turned on The electric light
giving the writer the opportunity of seeing both
eide by side. The electric light seemed muct
softer. A continuous view of it for three min
utes did not pain the eye. whereas looking a
the gas for The same length of time caused
s5me little pain and confusion of sight Tht
inventor next exhibited the light turned aoWl
low. 1t gave mild illumination.
Ono of the noticeable features of the light
when fully turned on was that all colors coul(
te distinguished AS readily as by sunlight.
when do you expect to have the invention
completed, Mr.. Edisou?' % asked tho re
porter 81,
The substance of it is all right now," HI
answered. putting the apparatus away ant
turning on the gas, ''but there are the usus