The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1883-06-01

4 OOtCuCc A0tcSt MdTvcls
"May see the inventor of the electro
scope?" The reporter who asked thi
question stood at the door of dingy
ill-ventilated workshop in the fiftl
story of building occupied exclusivel,
by machines and model-makers. Dus
and cobwebs obscured the windows an,
chung to the corners ofsthe room. Her,
and there squares of translucent pape
took the place of. broken panes. Tn,
hoor and the long, rough work-benche
were covered with metal filings. Coil
OF wire, tools and strange odds ant
ends of machinery were suspende,
from hooks in the walls. Complicated
moiels. made up of screws, spring
and cog-wheels, great and small, wer'
to be seen on few shelves about tn,
shop and on tho window-sills.
front elevation of the late G. Wash
ington," as John Phoenix would call it
/ and bust of Robert Fulton, of which
some vandal had broken the nose, wer,
J the only works of art visible. The per
son to whom the reporters question
was addressed stood at bench witt
a file in his hand, with which he wa.
/ shaping piece of shining brass helt
firmly between the iron jaws of wise
The cheerful melody created by the
operation SO filled the air that at first
the workman did not hear his interloc.
utor; but when the question was re-
peated in a louder tone, the machinist
suspended his labor and looked up.
He was perhaps forty-five years of age,
but his gray hair and deep-lined feat
ures made him look much older. The
forehead was broad and high, and the
earnest gray eyes deeply set under the
bullying brows. The prominent nose,
square, bold chin and massive jaws
would have told physiognomist that
the intellect of the man was properly
balanced by patience, energy and
strength of will A long apron, that
had probably once been white. pro-
tected the artisans clothing from the
flying dust.
Certainly. sir; look at him." was
the response to the reporters question.
What is your pleasure?"
well, L am come to get some points
about your wonderful machine.
should like to know how big it is, how
1t looks. and what it is expected to ac-
complish. - said the reporter, looking
about for a seat
HIM calculated the inventor;
that's asking a great deal, and consid-
erably more than it would be policy for
me to tell. The electroscope is not as
big as Jumbo, by any means. As to
how it looks, / could best answer that
by giving a detailed description of my
magnum opas."
so much the BETTER said the re-
porter. whipping out his notebook and
pencil. rea..
but to do that" continued the in
Ventor, seating himself upon the bench
and swinging his legs pensively, would
DE TO give some one else a chance to
steal my secret, and thus deprive me of
the fruits of my years of labor. But
noticing a moan of disappointment
from his companion) /. have no obiec-
ton to telling you what expect to &C
complish.
"Well?n
1.-The electroscope." went on the
father of that marvellous instrument.
thoughtfully bending and twisting
piece of slender copper wire, lis an APP
paratuS for the transmission of light.
You knew that when You came. We
hope" pursued the inventor, ..to be
able to produce in New York instanta-
neous photographs of scenes which are
being enacted in-San Francisco, for
instance. That may appear little
said the electrician.
Just trifie, observed thereporter.
..Yet'i it is far from impossible{ We
set up our instrument in San Francisco
and attach it by ordinary telegraph
wires to a sensitive plate here. The
image is transmitted over the line to
the plate. (which is developed as in
photography. As result, we
have clear. beautiful picture
That is all very fine. of course" said
the reporter, picking up his book, but
Of what practical good is it?''
II will, show you. Suppose Sun
iay-school Superintendent in Omaha
robs the bank of which he is cashier and
iecamps. His photographs are imme-
iiately sent to all the principal cities of
the Union by the electroscope, and his |
chances of detection greatly increased. |
In the same way fac-similes of docu- |
nents may be transmitted. You Will |
zee how valuable this will be in cases of |
forgery"
Then the electroscope will be used |
chiefly in frustrating crime?''
IF it would do no more than that its |
lain to high place among useful in
would, think, be fully estab-
ished. But that is not ALL When the |
,lectroscope comes into vogue the i'm
lginations of the artists on the illus
rated papers will have much needed
est. Photographs of distant scenes
nay be wired and engraved"
But won't that he an expensive pro-
ess?''
Il don't know why it should be es2e-
tally so, and what if it is? That will
rot deter newspapers from using. it,
DON'T they spend money without stint
o get accurate news? Whyshould they
ot be willing to pay for accurate pict-
res? With the electroscope there
Tould be the same competition between
he papers for pictorials as there now is
or written news. Then. in. case of
Tar, my instrument would be of great
alue to the belligerents. The officers
, front could send pictures of the
n-my $ works by field telegraph to the
in the rear
.'How long have yol been at work at
his thinge''