New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-07-09
uOU RTE rs YOTR ZIG HTkINE RODf


Tho vigorous crusade which has been waged
Of late wears against our old faith in the value
of lightning rods is certainly making Roadway,
whatever NAV he the ultimate result. Professor
Oliver j. Lodge, who is conspicuous III this
movement is a leading British authority In
electrical science. His reasons for sceptclsm
were discussed with favsr and illustrated with
description OF some c0rroboratiye laboratory eX-
pcr1meutS in Knowledge for June and last
weeks Western Electrician" lChicago) reprinted
an article of his from Industries, with a
cautious but somewhat approving editorial refer
cnce.
The efficacy OF the lightning rod has been sup
posed 10 DC largely, if not altogether. in It's
ability to draw of the electric fluid from an
overhsnging cloud, by degrees and thus 10 pre-
vent gradual and dangerous accumulation
The device was looked upon sort of conduit
like u water pipe, and was supposed 10 require
only proper construction and good con-
hcctons to fulfil it's mission. con-
uugcncy which, it Is claimed, with
n good snow of reason. this theory does not
meet, and 10 which in practice the rod is not
adcqultc is the instantaneous charging OF cloud
with on enormous and eN cessyc amount of cleo
tricity from another cloud-what DIR. Lodge calls
an "impulsve rush 4 good sewer might
promptly ana IlfIoutblf hihlH blS hbI't'o VI q"
heavy rain lasting several days. even weeks,
but If Conenaugh Lake were discharged in
single moment upon the town the sewer would
make no perccptiblc impression upon the flood,
which must find other means OF escape TO lower
,eyels so with the tremendous contents OF tie
storage batteries Of tho heavens. What makes
the difficulty greater is that the ono electrical
discharee does not like the breaking Of dam,
end the matter; for the former phenomenon Is
apt TO resemble pendulum swing in passing the
point necessary " eject an equilibrium, 50 as TO
involve q return dYcharrc; and something Ike
oscillations IN this terrible tide prolons and multi
ply the peril
Dr. Lodges idea about the best way to deal
with the problem Is not, however, TO increase the
size md weight Of the lightning rod by giving il
diameter Of several inches, 10 Use conductors OF
less resistance as copper, instead of iron
nor. Oh the other hand, would he dispense with
them entirely lie parallels the situation
bv citing the case Of biz dynemlte factory,
whose accumulated product could DO converted
instantly into active force by the blow OF ham
mer He would, therefore, take care OF only
Httls Of the dlscharging electricity, letting the
roe, 20 somewhere else and he would employ tile
nrinciplc Of impeding the flow Of that little, by
u.iuy "A small cOnductOr-o mere wire, ana IRON
n that For a steady current this metal reNstS
.cycn or ei1ht times as much as copper, but IL
obstructs a flash, lie says, a hundred times as
much owing 10 the magnetic qualities Oi IRON
ON ordinary houses he would Use wire at each
Of the four corners. On big factories four wires
down the chimney might suffice. Blunt terminals
he believes, are quite good as needle points ana
m. lower end should DO run into good moist
earth connecting with n mass Of iron or coke, but
not with any pipe system.
Should MI Lodges general theory be proved
sound. by experience, great revolution in Tie
| lightning rod business will be effected and the
| consequent cheapcning Of such apparatus would
! naturally lead to "A more extended use of II. But
in the present state of knowledge upon this sub
cct. one may be pardoncd If he waits awhile be
fore he wholly believes in DR.. Lodges scheme