The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-05-07
canal almost a. brilliantly as Old Sol him

canal almost a. prlIuantly as Old Sol nlm-
self can do it.
Electricity and its industrial application
are not 30 new in the world and in great
expositions that We are left without
basis of comparison. But when former
electrical aggregations are compared with
this one. like comparisons in all other
fields of human effort, the Columbian ex-
position takes such giant stride beyond
that it will be many day before its mark
is reached by future endeavor. It may not
be generally known that the first EXPOSE
ton to depend alone upon electricity for
its lighting was held in this country. The
Louisville exposition Of 1883 was illumi-
mated by 5000 Edison incan descent lamps,
which were then great novelty to the
public. and of course the lighting consti-
tuted one of the strongest attractions Of
the show. No other artificial lights were
used, not even arc lamps. At the New Or
leans exposition both the arc and incan-
descent systems were used with good eff
feet and it was here it first became known
that under the clear white light of tho
electric arc all the delicate tints of bloom
ing flowers were brought out almost as
perfectly rs in sunlight, and as no other
artificial iliuminant could do.
ways a great center Of electrical develop
ment, set rapid pace in 1879 when she
opened the exposition evenings with the
then unheard-of number of /, 4s3 arc lamps
Four years ago she set out to astonish the
world with her use of electricity, and she
did it. In France the government 10 every
thing. and the minister OF public works
organized a syndicate of electrical firms to
do the work. Expense WAS not considered.
ha cat nd hos ha
point. But even at this Paris did not
light more than one-fifth of her exposition
of 1889. There were only l, 100 arc lamps
and 1900 incandescent lamps. Electrical
power was not distributed throughout the
grounds. The energy used in generating
electricity amounted to but 5000 horse
power. The largest single dynamo used
was of 400 horse power.
This was only four years ago. and the
best the French could do with a govern
ment at their back for the illumina-
ton of an exposition which was designed
to be their greatest" Let US compare
Paris with Chicago electricity. Here there
are 5000 arc lights and 120. 000 incandescent
lights. Many of the latter are small
lamps, used decorativeiy, but by the usual
standard equal 81, 900 in all of full power.
The engines used to operate these lamps
and to furnish service power have COM
bined energy of 5000 horse power. 1000 Of
this coming from the shaft Of a single en-
CINE. Here a single armature on the shaft
of big en- CINE will, when run to its high
esq speed, develop $500 electrical horse
power. Another engine, with two arma-
lures, one at either end of the shaft. will
develop 1900 horse power. In compari-
son with these figures the plant with
which the French astonished the world
seems small indeed.
But it is not alone in size that this
American electrical plant outdoes all pre-
vious efforts. For the first time in tho
history of expositions electricity has
building OF its own in which to show the
world what 1t can do Here are eight and
one-third acres devoted 20 the appliances
and manifestations of the newest indus
trial art. There are countless electrical
machines, from the great dynamos weigh
ing from twenty TO fifty tons, which even
az this late day the workmen are with
many heave-ohs and powerful tackle haul
ing into place down TO the featherweight
instrument. of almost incon ceivable deli
cacy, with which surgeons illuminate tho
throats of their patients. Here will BE-
shown the numberless appliances with
which electricity IS used IN the arts ana
sciences. in manufacturing and household
economy. Here Will be displays, novel
and beautiful, sure to make the building
the most popular Of ali the great departs
merts of the exposition. Here will no
the telegraph, with its wonderful multi.
pick and more wonderful printing systems.
Here the telautograph, Or '-far writing in
fac-simile" machine, the newest marvel in
electricity will be shown. Here Wizard
Edison will introduce TO the public his al
most incredible kinetograph, which 10 TO
reproduce auditibly the voice of a man
who may be dead or IN Jericho, and hin
photograph and his gestures as well.
Some one said TO me few days ago. an
We walked through the Electricity build