Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-03-31
LIGHT WITHOUT HEAT.
The Discoveries Nikola Tesla Is Giving
the World.
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Almost from the time that the vbra-
tory theory Of light was accepted scien-
tifc men have looked forward to the
day when it would be possible TO pro-
duce light without heat For it is an
unfortunate fact that so far every effort
TO produce light has been accompanied
by an enormous waste of energy due to
the production Of useless heat. The
simplest way Of producing light is by
means OF the combustion Of some com
pound of carbon. 1t does not matter
whether the carbon compound is solid,
as in a candle, or a fluid, as In lamp,
or is q gas, as In ordinary Illuminating
gas-the process is the same. The union
of the carbon Of the substance with the
oxygen of the air produces the rapid vi
bratiOn that the eye recognizes as light.
Carbon, though the element usually eur
plOYed, is not necessary factor, for
magnesium, potassium, iron-indeed,
almost any of the elements-will take
its place. Neither is oxygen neces-
Sary part in the production OF light
Chlorine will produce an even more bril-
liant light with certain substances. 1t
is evident, therefore, that the rate of
vibration and not the element employed
is the principal factor in producing
light. Unfortunately all methods OF
producing light by means OF chemical
combinations (suCh as the union Of the
carbon of the candle with the oxygen OF
the air. are accompanied by very large
production Of heat waves, which, in the
majority OF eases, are utterly useless, II
not absolutely troublesome. The old
smile Of a musician desiring to produce
q certain high note being compelled TO
press down all the keys of his inatru-
ment is an apt one. The lower notes
are not merely useless, but they are pos
itlvely annoying.
Singularly enough, the first solution
of the problem that was attempted sue
cessfully was by the aid Of heat. A very
small amount Of light waves are re-
ouired for recognition by the wonder
fully developed special sense which man
possesses 1t is intensity, not quantity,
that is wanted, to use technical term.
Consequently If very small particle is
heated 10 incandeScence the light which
il throws out bears far greater ratio
to the amount OF heat it required than
it does if q large mass is similarly
heated. This is one of the radical bases
OF the utility Of the incandeScent cleo
trio light. An extremely small hiament
is heated to incaudeScence through the
resistance which il offers to the flow Of
an electric current. 1t generates heat,
it is true, but the amount of heat thus
produced is directly proportional 10 the
mass OF the carbon, which is very small.
The light produced, however, is amply
sufficient for all ordinary purposes.
This solution, however, is highly IN
satisfactory 10 the scientists, however
useful it is TO the public at large. Light
apart from heat altogether was wanted.
The FREELY, the phoSphorescent sea anil
malcules aad even the exhausted tubes
of GeisSler furnished the hope that there
was vet some method OF reaching the
high note without pressing down the
whole keyboard.
Recently an extraordinary genius has
appeared in this country who seems
upon the verge of discovering, II not 10
have actually discovered, a method By
which this might be done. Nicola Tesla,
q man OF independent fortune aud most
brilliant mind, who was for time con-
nected with Edison, has dared TO exper-
iment with rapidly alternating electric
currents. The result has passed the
widest dreams of the theorizers. He
has succeeded in producing light Of CON-
paratively high intensity without the
production Of heat, and apparently d.
reetly by the use Of electricity. The
halls of the Royal Society of London
aud of the Franklin Institute, OF Phila-
delphia. have been illuminated by means
al the light radlated from bare copper
Wires in the open air carrying these So
dalled Tesla currents. The wires were