The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-01
CoNDENs1NG RAIN BY ELECTRIcIrY.
An Invention Open the Windows of Heaven
and Make the Deserts Bloom.

An Invention to Open the WINDOWS OF Heaven
and Make the Deserts Bloom.
San Francisco Chronicle.
The remarkable powers and adaptability of
the electric current to che of society have
been further demonstrated by an invention
which has at least the charm of novelty. This
is nothing more or less than patent to open the
windows of heaven at the will of man. and
Michael Cahil NJ. D., of this city, claims the
honor of the invention.
20 The Doctor returned To town few days ago
from Washington, where he went to secure
patent and bring before the notice of the gov
eminent his strange contrivance. He ,Eas seen
yesterday afternoon by a reporter to whom he
briefly explained the proposal.
II expect to see the sagebrush deserts of Ne
braska and Nevada Under cultivation, and af-
fording pasturage for thousands of cattle in
few years." began the doctor. ''Should the
government adopt my patent by its use there
need not be an acre of waste land on the whole
continent"
''By VIVA. extraordinary means do you in
tend to tap the clouds and interfere with the
laws of naturel" queried the reporter.
'Simply by condenser, captive balloon,
and an electric cable placed wherever the rain
is required. have long believed that rain
could be produced by artificial means and
have worked at this hobby of mine for several
years-ever since I left college. in fact. You
see, first of all, vapor as, it ascends. receives
heat from the solar rays, which also impels it
upward until restricted by the cold. The
esieles OF dewdrops. being crowded together,
become electrified and float the air at
altitude of from 5000 to 5000 feet, and all
rain is to intercept those vesicles by
artificial means. What 1 have invented
condenser of peculiar shape and construction.
and connected with the earth by an electric
cable. Whenever the veeicles come into contact
with the condenser or current they are broken
up. and the water forced TO the ground with
great rapidity. The rain will be produced by
the same law as causes condensation a win
dow-pane. The surface of the glass is covered
with microscopic points, and becoming
chilled the layer of next it falls, allowing the
70 Hoxu To- har and to- hQ
ground"
You will require a gigantic balloon for such
purpose was suggested. ;.
20 no. A condenser OF about 200 feet in d.
gallons day, or as much as would irrigate
almost the half of this State The volume of
water can be divided or formed into rivers,
whichever may be desired"
what will be the cost of erecting and fitting
up one of these condeDsers9"
1.-THE condenser will be of specially prepared
iron, and have received an estimate from
well-known manufacturer. who places the cost
at So, 500; another $500 would easily fit it up"
''What the opinions or experts on the
matter, DoctorH
well, when brought my plans before them
at first they mostly skeptical, but have
got great many of them round since. While
in Washington l submitted it to the Meteorolog-
ical Department, whore well known, and
to the heads of the Geodetic Survey and both
believed it to be practicable; indeed, the former
body sent Endorsement to the Secretary of
the Interior to have its efficacy tested. expect
it will be months yet however, before
they will do anything at headquarters" added
the Doctor.
Since his return the inventor has had several
interviews with Lieut. j. Z. Mansfield, the
head of the local signal service. The Doctor is
also in communication with a number of local
capitalists with view to the formation of a
com pany for the purchase of the patent right
here and abroad and it is needless to add that
he is enthusiastic as a nd-boomer over its
ultimate acceptance and success.