Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1879-12-26
EdisOn's Lamp.

The Cincinnati Commercial of Sunday
last, published a carefully prepared his
tory Of the steps taken by the great inven-
tor in reaching his present stand-pointof
complete success with his electric lamp.
This is illustrated with cuts. and gives
a rather comprehensive detail of the mat
ter. The silence that has broOded over
this great work, has been caused by the
effort to regulate the flow of electricity.
The point of discovery now made, is that
carbonized paper is found to answer the
purpose that it was thought, platinum
alone could serve. This brings into use
the cheapest eomodity that could be en-
ployed, and one that is found better than the
precious metals At this stage Of inven-
ton, all other difficulties had been over
come. This was the last, and one Of the
simplest.
The lamp can be made at cost Of
twenty-five cents. In its simplest form it
is as cheap as a gas tip. 1t is a plain
glass globe, about the size of small
orange. In the bottom is fitted a metallic
stopper, through which the copper wires
pass, and a strip Of carbOnized paper
shaped like a horseshoe, connects the
wires The air is exhausted in the globe.
Turn on the electricity, which is quite as
simple an operation as turning on gas,
and the carbon becomes and remains lu-
minOus, giving out soft, brilliant, power
full light, and the wick endures- No limit
to its endurance has been found, No
matches are needed to strike light
You touch the key and there is your illu-
mination. The glass globes do not become
heated. 1t grows warm, but by no possi-
bility can there be any combustion.
Break the glass and the light is instantly
and utterly extinguished. The moment
the air enters, the light is out. 1t would
be perfectly safe, therefore, to use such a
light in powder magazine. 1t will be OF
inestimable advantage on shipboard- 1t
can be employed with the happiest results
in mines extra-hazardous. 1t will, at
once abolish the use of matches in our
houses, and by introducing a light that
neither heats nor enkindles, vastly reduce
the liabilities of fires, and thus speedily
put down the rates Of insurance. This
light will do away with the necessity of
heat in well lighted apartments. One can
produce dazzling illumination without
changing the temperature.
As there is no combustion, there is no
smoke. Wherever awire can be stretched
light may be cheaply produced, so there
will be no excuse for dark alleys. This
Will be the terror of burglars, for by the
noiseless touching of key, not only an
apartment but an entire house, may be
instantly flooded with light, to the terror
and discontinue of all who seek darkness
rather than light.
1t is light that does not harm the
eyes, and that may be shaded and regulat-
ed at pleasure-combinging the .softness
of the oil lamp with the splendor of the
burning of carbon points.
1t has entered into the theory, that
whole city could be light with electric
ity, from single establishment. This,
however, is not now considered practica-
BILE 1t is, however, thought, that if the
city of New York, for instance, were to be
divided into, say twelve districts each re-
ceiving an electric current from an indie
pendent center, that this would bring the
city within practical scope, for general
lighting.
Edison's fayorite theory on the subject
is that the gas companies will be
glad to buy the right of lighting under
his invention, and that the wires will be
conveyed through the gas pipes, the new
lamp being simply screwed on where the
gas tips are found. Very fine insulated
wire will suffice. All the appointments
are simple.
Agents are already in Cincinnati, says
the Commercial, for the purpose of intro
ducing the Edison lamp. The object is
not to sell the right to individuals, but to
employ capital in supplying districts. 1t
is Edison's careful estimate that the cost
of the electric light, according to this sys-
TEN, will be something less than one-half
the cost of coal gas. He is sure it will
not exceed that figure. Beyond that, he
proposes to use electricity as motor, to
run light machinery the family sewing
machine, for instance, and has prepared
meter for the exact measurement of the
electricity furnished to each house. Its
importance need not be dwelt upon. In
the matter of light and illumination its
effect will be revolutionary.
Edison's public exhibition of the light
is to occur at his place of residence, Men
10 Park, New Jersy on the evening of
n ew Years day The number of lamps
10 be displayed is abont seven hundred.
1t has been ascertained that a peculiar
glass is required fine, clear glass,
free from all Impurities, and especially
lime. The strips ofcarbonized paper are
delicate brown color. 1t is EdisOn's
opinion that one strip or wick will last
for many years-perhaps, indeed, as long
as the glass. 1t is the theory Of Mr.. Edi-
son that gas-pipes can be used readily for
the conveyance of the wires, but his ia
vorite idea is to extend the wires through
iron pipes lined with india rubber and
placed few inches below the surface of
the streets, just clearing the pavements.
The copper wires directly connecting
with the lamps are nearly as fine as hairs.
The largest number of lamps lit at one
time in Edison's shop is seventeen-and
they gave forth steady and uniform il
lumination-one lamp having about twen-
ty five candle power.
There is no reason to question the genu-
ineness of the invention or the thorough
ness of the success obtained The perfect
simplicity of the lamp warrants it. The
fame of the inventor gives the assurance
that he has not identified himself with
sham, or permitted a speculation in his
name and character.
The yalue of stock in gas companies