Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-10-07
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING.

~ b. AlOrlcn
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ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING.
The new profession that promises to be
one demanded by the progress of the age,
and one whose scope renders 1t peculiarly
satisfactory to men and women of a
scholarly turn of mind, is that of electrical
engineering 1t is not, of course, entirely
unknown to the general public, and its re-
quirements are more or less familiar in the
world of scientists but the few who have
hitherto represented the profession have
been rather its founders, and the discover.
ers of the laws of nature on which it is
based, than students who have been at
tracted to opportunities already provided.
With these, too, the work has been one of
constant experiment and growth, and il is
only at the most recent date that the series
of experimental methods have crystallized
into sufficient relative sequence to be
properly termed one of the professions of
the age. Among the eminent electricians
are Sir William Thompson and DR.. Sic
mems, both Fellows of the Royal Society
of Great Rritain Mr.. Edison and Pro-
fessor Alexander Graham Bell, of our own
country, and limited number OF others
representing France and Germany. The
late electrical exhibition in Paris has re-
vealed the marvellous results already at
tanned by science, and its practical applica-
tions are already established in the systems
OF cables, electrical railways, telephones,
and other recent inventions.
w. IL. Greer, of New York city, a gen.
tleman who is largely interested in these
new inventions, has been in Boston for
few days, and being asked for some infor
nation on the subject Of such absorbing
interest, kindly acceded TO the request.
Mr.. Greer is a man of cosmopolitan travel,
spending much of his time in Europe, and
he has long given close personal attention
TO the advancing results Of electrical an.
pGances.
"Will you give q few of the practical
points regarding what you term the new
profession, Mr.. Greer :"
Certainly" he replied. "The general
public is not, perhaps, aware of the enor-
nous extent OF the means of electric COM
munication at present. There are eight
cables underlying the ocean cables ira.
verse the Persian Gulf; TIE Mediterranean
is crossed and recrossed by cables. There
are at this moment thousands of millions
Of dollars invested in cables alone. Now.
the condition of these cables is a matter
determined only by the electrician. In
localizing the faulty or weak places in the
cable current of electricity is the means
employed, the positive current operating in
certain way, and the negative in the op
posite, go that by the proper adjustment or
alteration OF those two the faulty place ia
either repaired or so located that ship
can be sent to the precise spot to repair it. -
lis the apparatus q complicated one.
Mr.. Greer?"
Not a. all. A fault at midocean in
cable can be located by an instrument not
larger than a mans hat. 1t is not work
requiring physical force, but rather keen
abilities, good mathematical and scientific
training, TO which is, of course, superadded
the special education of the electrician
Are there yet, Mr.. Greer any regular
colleges established TO give this traini1g?"
There are only four places in the world
where 1t is now taught. These are Paris.
London, Toxic Japan and New York,
where this fell 2 college of electrical en-.
cheering will be opened. Il is situated
near the medical colleges"
.' What is the prospect for the electric
railway"
1t is most encouraging. They are al
ready Ia successful operation in Berlin. in
Paris, one in ireland, and that of Mr.. Edi.
sons, on q small scale, in Menlo Park.
Berlin has the longest extent now in use.
and its results are entirely satisfactory,
There is no dou55 that it will prove the
motor fer tho elevated railways of large
cihe7, and will s0ou entirely supersede the
clumsy street-car system. The travelling
OF the future will be by electricity. So
will the communication Of the future. and
it is hardly difficult to imagine g time
whsn steam and horse railways and when
postal communication shall be entirely su-
perseded by electrical appliances fer trav
cling and for all manner of correspond
ence.
g | regard this II wv proFt ssion as one es.
pecially suited for educated women" con-
tinued Mr.. Greer. NOW, | should think
this might DE a matter of special interest
IN NJ Massachusetts,, where IL is said you have
go, 600 more women than men. There are.
it is safe to say, 100, Geo too many LAWYERS
and doctors and teachers in cur country.
Every profession is overcrOwded, and the
result IS mediocIity and a constant struggle
against the lIunt OF conditions. A new
Profession IS au inealculable public benefit.
Electrical engineering can be learned in
onc-half OF the time given to the study of
law or medlClnc. Great fortunes have al
ready been made IN t. pursuit The
enormous extension Of the telegraph, the
telephone, the electric light, and, as will!
be, the electric railway to all parts of the
world, creates great demand for skilled
electricians "
g What is the foundation required, edu.
cationally, to enable one to learn electrical
! engineering"
GA good mathematical and sc,entific
education, such as tie scientific course of
our universities confer"
Another important demand also for
electrical power" continued Mr.. Greer.
is the distribution of power to manufacs
cries, shops, and all kind of mechanical
works. There is no doubt that in time
| such vast extension of works as those of
Sheffield, England, will distribute the en-
tire power required from one central cleo.
trical appliance. 1t may even be given to
the workmen individually at their cottages,
and thus avoid what Ruskin calls the
laundering devils of machinery, and the
crowding of men into these great fac tories. "
! Boston Traveller