Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-02-19
EDISON'S LIFE.
Sketch OF the Routine Labor OF the
Great Inventor.


There are probably but few persons in
whose probable length of life is Can
yassed by the public nj large with more
interest than that of Thomas Alva Edi-
son. And the interest is not without
foundation when it il remembered that
although only in his thirty-second year
he has made more inventions than any
man living. In the patent Office at
Washington is n department marked
" Edison" where his numerous inven-
tions are placed side by side, forming not
the least of the curiosities of that insti-
tuition. Nearly $50 patents are placed
to his credit, making exceedingly dpTo-
pos the description given of him by a
late commissioner OF patents, who styled
him 1.-THE young American who made
the patent Office hot with his steps"
IL is no wonder, then, that the frequent
exclamation is made by those who re-
fleet on the tremendous amount of labor
involved in such n record, "Oh, Edison
can't last much longer; he is working
himself TO death" The prophecy is
not a little strengthened, too. by the in
inventors wellknown disregard of
natures requirements. Napoleon, IL is
related, did not average four hours
sleep out of the twenty-four. His energy
was untiring and his perseverance un-
conquerable. His rest was in the saddle,
and his creation in the battle field.
The same is true of Edison in his sphere
of life. His only pleasure is in the
laboratory, where he can be found day
and night from one end of the year TO
the other, with scarcely an intermission.
He seldom seeks rest in bed. A bench
or cot among his chemicals and ma
chinery form his couch six nights out of
the seven. Not that there is any real
necessity, perhaps, for such self inflicted
hardship, but roughing ID " is his de-
light. Life in the Menlo Park laboratory
partakes more of the character of u
camp pitched near the battlefield than of
anything else. An average daily routine
OF the scientist. beginning nj a time
when he has actually ceased work and is
at home Is as follows
At 10 A. NJ. he starts for his office.
where for about tive hours he is in
tensely occupied in attending with his
secretary 10 the mass of correspondence
piling in upon him nj the rate oftentimes
of over 300 letters day. After disposing
OF his correspondence he devotes his
ime to n perusal of the numerous
papers, pamphlets, documents and
books scientific and otherwise, that
come 10 him from all parts ofthe world.
He reads with great rapidity and yet
with astonishing thoroughHess, IA DAYS
afterward he readily recalls what he
has been over. BY 2 r. n. he is in his
laboratory reviewing the results Of the
experiments and work Of his assistants
performed in his absence. Consultations
with Mr.. Bachelor, his chief assistant.
next occupy him for a considerable time.
After this is over he may be said TO be
fairly in the midstofhis labor OF love. 4
reel al Of the experiments he daily tries,
the plans lac devises and the suggestions
he offers would seem exaggerated were il
not that hundreds OF record books in his
laboratory bearing the marks of his
labor attests the same with unimpcacha
BILE accuracy. The majority of days his
meals are served him at his work. The
hard labor Of the inventor, however,
begins after dark. The work of the
day is more ofa preliminary character
n getting ready for the herculean efforts
that one by one grow and develop, until
they finally reach rs n whole perfect
invention.
The midnight lunch Is striking
feature ofthe laboratory life. At twelve
O'Clock every night two men and dog
enter the laboratory laden down with
baskets of edibles from neighboTing
caterer. The dog, n huge Newfoundland,
plays as important part in the per-
formance as his biped companions. for
with n lighted lantern hanging from his
mouth he leads the way from over the
railroad track and across the fields to
the abode OF the Wizard. He also as
sists at times by having strapped to his
back basket or can containing some
of the lunch. The repast without the
dog TO participate would be barren. lie
seems to know his standing. and he is
always To be found at his post of duty.
Around the lunch table gather the in
ventor and his assistants, and as the
good things disappear they discuss the
days work, tell stories and gossip gen.
orally. A freer or gayer set could
scarcely be found. The iovial good
nature of the chief spreads to all, and
fun and fancy reign supreme. After
lunch once more begins the work of
science, and continues until, one by one,
the assistants drop of TO sleep. A few
retire to their homes; the larger num-
ber, however. follow the plan of the
leader and utilize their benches for beds.
Edison himself gives In generally about
4 A. NJ, selecting some unoCcupied spot,
where. with his coat for pillow, he
sleeps soundly sometimes until ten
o'clock, other times until six, for his
time of rising varies.
This mode of life continually re-
peated, while calculated 10 wear out
most men, seems 10 cause Edison to
thrive. At the present time he is the
picture of good health. Ills height is
five feet ten inches. and his weight 1856
rounds. .-Net0 York Herald.
She Renewed.
One Of the sanitary police was the