Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1893-08-22
LIGHT MINUS HEAT.
THE DISCOVERIES NIkoLA TESLA IS
GIVING THE WORLD.

GIVING THE WORLD.
Electric Currents That Produce varicsatct
Streams of Mysterious Light and Fail t.
Heat the Wires That Carry These Won
derrui Currents.
Almost from tho time that the vibra-
tory theory OF light was accepted scien'
fife men have looked forward tothe day
when it would DO possible to produce
light without heat. For 1t is an unfor-
tunate 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 compound or
carbon 1t does not matter whether the
carbon 10 solid. as In q candle, or fluid,
as in lamp, or in gas, as in ordinary
illuminating gas, the process is the same.
The union of the carbon of the SUBJ
stance with the oxygen of the air pro-
duces tho rapid vibration that the eye
recognizes as light. Carbon. though the
element usually employed, is not neces-
sary factor, for magnesium, potassium,
iron-indeed almost any of the elements
will take its place. Neither is oxygen
necessary part in the production OF
light Chlorine will produce an even
more brilliant light with certain sub
stances. 1t is evident, therefore, that the
rate of vibration and not the clement
employed is the principal factor in pro-
ducing light
Unfortunately all methods Of produc-
ing light by means of chemical combina-
tons (such as the union of the carbon of
the candle with the oxygen of the air.
are accompanied by a very large pro-
duction of heat waves, which in the ma
jority of cases are utter useless, il not
absolutely troublesome. The old smile
of a musician desiring to produce GER
tain high note being compelled to press
down all the keys of his instrument is
an apt one. The lower notes are not
merely useless, but they are positively
annoying.
Singularly enough. the first solution of
the problem that was attempted success
fully was by the aid of heat. A very
small amount of light waves are required |
for recognition by the wonderfully de- |
veloped special sense which man pos
sesses. tits intensity, not quantity, that
is wanted. to use technical term. Con-
if u very small particle is heat
ed to incandescence the light which it
throws out bears far greater ratio to
the amount of heat required than it does
il large mass is similarly heated.
This is one Of the radical bases of the
utility of the incandescent electric light.
An extremely small filament is heated to
ncandescence through the resistance
which it offers to the flow of an electric
1t generates heat. it is true,
'ut the amount of heat thus produced is
lirectly proportional to tho mass of the
arbon, which is very small. The light
Produced, however is amply sufficient
or all ordinary purposes. /
This solution, however. is highly un-
to scientists. however useful
is to the public at large. Light anart 8
rom heat altogether was wanted. The
refy, the phosphorescent sea animal =
ules and even the exhausted tubes Of
feissler furnished the hope that there
7as yet some method of reaching the
Ugh note without pressing down the =
'hole keyboard. /
Recently an extraordinary fenius has c
ppeared in this country who seem, o
pom the verge of discovering, if not to 0
ave actually discovered. method by u
hlch this might be done. Nikola Tesla. =
man OF independent fortune and most Il
rllliant mind, who was for q time con. n
ected with Edison, has dared to expert "
ent with rapidly alternating electric n
lrrents. The result has surprised the t.
lidest dreams of the theor!sers. He v
Is succeeded in producing light of com. .
lratlyely high intensity without the "
DEDUCTION of heat and apparently di. IL IL
CITY by the use of electricity. The ii
Ills OF the Royal society of London end
the Franklin institute of Philadelphia S
I'VE been illuminated by means of the p
5ht radlated from bare copper wires in Sc
e open air carrying these so called m
esla currents. II
Inc wires were not hot, but they radi- #
Cd from their surface light and sent m
ON one to another bands and stream. w
OF the mysterious light which we see W
the aurora borealis. The effect mnst SO
seen to be thoroughly appreciated pr
IL when it is stated that the exneri. III
enter without difficulty succeeded in 9 D,
aiating light not only from an ex.
listed glass tube held in his hand Int
70 from his thumb, his nose and other
'tures' the enthusiasm which swent as
er ms audiences in London and in is.
iiadelphia may be appreciated. VII
As yet no useful application has been tn
ina FOR these wonderful new develop da
'hts IN electrical science, but thew d,
qua be welcomed as harbinper ~ r rn
'tner progress. Baltimore Sun, ln