Daily Republican., 1883-05-08
A MIGHTY AGENT.
The Magnetic TelegraEh-A Visit
10 Al FL lectricion's Work ShoD.

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ts Al Electricians Work Shsp.
II is not at all probable that Benja
min franklin, when he experiment.,
with his kite, and brought electricit
from the clouds, had any idea of the vas
number Of purposes for which tina
mighty agent would be utilized, al
though it has been stated that he enter
tanned the idea Of passing current o
electricity over wire IN such man
ner AZ to convey thoughts. At his day
the time for the electric telegraph Ia,
not arrived people were content to trav
el from place 10 place in the old stag,
coach anc the idea of flashing an indi
vidua'S thoughts from one part of the
land to another, wonld have been an
innovation far in advance of the age.
A scientific discovery is the producer
not 50 much of an individual mind, a.
it is of the age aud people, and is almost
invariably the supply Of some great
demand consequently, with the'intrO.
durtion of steam Railroads, whereby
men could accomplish IA journey in a
few hours that formerly occupied as
many days. there arose Il demand for
some means by which their thoughts
could be conveyed at IA still greater rate
Of speed
Some one has said that Franklin
caught the lightning and Morse har-
messed it,, but be that as it may, it is
certai" that the printer philosopher
was the first 10 demonstrate that the
roaring thunder and the vivid lightning
were caused by an agent that could be
rendered of the utmost use to man.
Although but little over century has
elapsed since that time the purpose,
for which electricity is now used are in
deed wonderful, and becoming so gene
ral that every city of any size has one
or more men engaged in manufacturing
electrical instruments, and Wilmington
is not behind the age in this respect.
On the south side of Third street, near
Market, a modest sign is suspended
from the second story, bearing the in
scripfion " Edward A. Rein, Electri-
elan, and the writer, impclled by mo-
tives Of curiosity, ascendel the stairs,
and was fortunate enough to find the pro-
prietor within. He was busily engaged
in drawing plan of the different rooms
Of IA building that be is about to furnish
with burglar alarms, electric bells, and
other arrangements. Upon his visitor
stating his object in calling he laid his
work aside, and spent some time
i'll explaining his business and
the various articles he man
ufactures. The room is filled with
different kinds of electrical apparatus;
in one corner is telegraph instrument
connected by private wire with the
residences of his pupils, class of
which he is instructing i'll telegraphy.
On one side is telephone, and an
opposite corner contains burglar
alarm connected with the door and
windows, so nicely arranged that nei-
ther can be opened one inch without
ringing bell that can be heard half IA
square.
A gas pendant in the centre of the
room is connected with two buttons
just inside the door, and can be lighted
ia an instant by pressing on thr white
button, or Xtinguished by means ofthe
"l!ck. The burners on bsavhrt. around |
The sides of the room eaci! hHyr i small
l"ycr hanging down, by Il movement Of
which they are lighted in ST. me than
it would take to get match from a box.
\ large show case on the rear wall is
filled with electrical instruments. many
Of them being invented by NJ. Rein. In
this case are electric bells for front
toUrs, which must, in time, suppressed
he old fashioned arrangement A Of
heSe articles are manufactured by Mr..
Rein, and the machinery used in their
is of the finest description.
He has drills ~ small That he can easily
lrill hole through Il pin, and th.
athe on which this exceedingly small
lrll runs is 80 nicely adjusted that 4
irill boring a hole two inches in diane
.er can be used on il.
He is now engaged in prrtecting an
burglar alarm, that will make
t an absolute impossib ity for thieves
% enter Il house where one of these ap-
Jaratuses are in use. II is 50 arranged
hat the moment window or door is
anpcred with, it not only sounds All
alarm, but also points out the exact
spot where the burglars are at work.
1t can also be attached to til" gas burn
.rs, SO that an attempt to break in
will light the room, or If necessary
throughout the entire house Another
object Of interest is the Ellison Electric
Light, of l6-candle power, for use in
private HOUSES. This light can be run
~ water motor attached to the hy-
lrant. Mr.. Rein is certainly an inge.
Mons mechanic, and should be encour-
lged.