Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-07-31
AN ELECTRIC WORLD.
Professor Thomson Paints a Pretty
Picture of Is Years Hence.
SNAPSHOTS Of PETTY THIEVES.
Lightning Makes Ship Magnetic, Spelling
the CompasseL
4 LINEMAN'S PROFIT ON SPARROWS
LINEMAN'S PROFIT ON sPARROws
WRITTEN FOR THE prsPArcH.I

H.I
Mankind generally has come to recognize
the wisdom of the Injunction ssNever
prophesy unless you know" It is about
as difficult to say where electrical develop
ments are going to lead to within the next
25 years as to map out the future of any
other science, but Prof. Elihu Thomson has
undertaken in general way to show what,
at all events, the probabilities are in the
electrical field.
Prof. Thomson stands so high as an
electrical expert that his opinions are en-.
titled to the highest respect. He confines
himself mainly to the possible advances in
the practical applications of electric energy
in the arts and industries He looks for no
great revolution in future telegraph prog
ress, although the more general introduc-
tion Of multiplex systems will increase the
capacity Of the lines and decrease the cost
of operation, and more attention will be
paid to permanence of lines and to securing
immunity from extended Interruptions
from storms. Signaling or telegraphing
without wires has already been attempted,
and although it has rot yet gone beyond the
tentative stage, so far as practical results
60, electricians are not without some nope
that it may presently be accomplished, at
all events Tor moderate distances and even
through dense fog. The inestimab BILE value
Of SUCH an invention to the mariner is ap-
parent.
As to teIephonfng across ocean cables,
while the boldest man cannot, in view of the
marvellous developments that have already
taken place In telephony, say that it is i'm
possible Prof. Thomson holds that there are
cogent reasons Tor recognizing the impracti-
cability Of telephone transmission through
cables Of great length. In electric lighting
thomson ODIntOn
CARDS the possible superseding of the incan-
descent light by the "lesla glow" or as to
wires, but believes in constant and rapid
future development of the present modes Of
illumination by the arc and the incandescent
lamp.
In view of the fact that in obtaining power
from fuel by means of steam engines up
ward OF 90 per cont is wasted in unused
heat, while the power obtainable for use
represents scarcely more than 10 per cent OF
the real value of the fuel under the very
best conditions, the discovery of q not too
complex method OF realizing an economy Of
fuel would have an almost incalculablo
effect on general industrial and economic
development in electricity, and the steam
engine would go out OF use almost entirely.
Electrical engineers have no reason 20
doubt the possibility of the transmission OF
currents OF electricity at high pressures to
distances far beyond anything yet at
tempted. Electrical farms will soon be
looked upon as a matter OF course. and early
electrical vegetables will be a source of per-
ennial delight to the epicure- Electricity
may possibly be enlisted In the delivery OF
mankind from the scourge of the mosquito
and in the destruction of bacteria or mi
crobes, now so fatal to animal and vegeta-
BILE life. The electric current will play an
absorbing part i'll the practice OF physicians,
and will revolutionize housekeeping By its
adaptation to domestic uses.
The day when nations shall war no more
will be materially fastened by the develop
ment OF the appalling possibilities OF cleo
tricity In naval and military practice, and
the sams agency is destined TO be An all
pervading influence in enabling man to
subordinate the forces Of nature to his Will