The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-02-28
GREAT FORCE IN A NUTSHELL.
Astonishing Results Obtained from a
Tiny Electric Generator

astonishing RESULTS OBTAIN ed from a
Tiny Electric Generator.
From the San Francisco Examiner.
A procession of rowboats moving rapidly
about Lake Merritt. Oakland, few weeks
ago, was observed with intense interest by
few people who had watched with eager
ness the movements of one of the men in
the leading boat. The boat was fitted with
paddles, the rapid rotation of which urged
the boat RAPIDLY through the ripples and
drew swiftly the seven other boats In tow.
The boating excursion was no pleasure
party. but private exhibition of motor
which, il able to accomplish one-tenth OF
what is said OF it, is the most powerful ap-
plioation of electrical energy devised.
Charles Sellander is the man who directed
the movements of the leader boat, and he is
the dlscoverer OF the chemical combination
that produces marvellous resulta The proc
ess, the materials, the manner of combina-
ton, are secrets closely held, for no patent
has been issued. To very few people has
any information of the discovery or inven-
tion been communicated, and these people
must be losing sleep contemplating the mar
wells which the young inventor claims for
his motive power. Sellander Is a modest
mechanic, quiet and industrious, who is en-
ployed by the Southern Pacific company as
an extra engineer of locomotive engines. He
lives on Fourth avenue, East Oakland, and
bears an excellent reputation among all who
know him.
The outward appearance Of his appa>
ratus 10 simple. His chemical compound Is
incased in alright copper vacuum bulbs,
Tor IL explodes on exposure 10 the atmos-
pierre. Attached to the copper receptaeles
are wires through which the electricity is
fed as on supply wires Of other electrical
systems. The discovery IL the generating
Ynatariaia nd THAR. frnx1wfannrnane On -
these vacuum bulbs 10 no larger than o wal
nut Yet with this enthusiastically small
generator, he is said to have sent the light
rowboats dancing over the surface Of Lake
Merrits a though they were shells moved
BY Q Cambridge crew.
The inventor recently told friend that
for three weeks he had supplied constant
power from his tiny generator to move
toy boat In pond in his back yard, and,the
battery showed no signs OF weakening. To
the same friend he said that he regards his
invention, or discovery, as the nearest ap-
proach to perpetual motion yet attained.
II the young man is q pretender he has
succeeded at the beginning in quilting some
very hard-headed business men, who are
not inclined to swallow the idle tales of a
fabrioator of romance.
First, there is +. NJ. Smith, commonly
known as the borax king OF this coast. from
his business. Mr.. Smith is ready to back
the inventor with money. To an Examiner
man Mr.. Smith would say but little but he
referred with enthusiasm to the discovery
or invention. He said that he has not been
taken into Sellahders confidence, and there
fore knows nothing about the materials in
the little battery by which the marvellous
electrical force is generated. Yet he is salts
fed that the device will be a great success.
He says that the light produced by the Sell
lander system 10 as superior to the ordinary
IL A.sS t---LA -
sene lamp light.
E. J. Baldwin C"LuckY" Baldwin of San
Francisco is said also to be willing to sup
ply the money to the inventor. Another
report is that the battery was tried for
lights at the Bald win theater and hotel in
san Francisco with complete success
George M. Pullman of Illinois, the great
car builder. is another who is said to have
seen the Sellander battery and to be con-
vinced that it is what it is said to be.