Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-10-11
cL4ssEs ~ ELEerrlolrE.
Practical Instruction In II School Organ
lied by Edison and Others.


The National School of Electricity,
whose efforts are being extensively d.
rectcd all over the country to the es-
adjustment Of classes for the study of
electricity, have just reached Delaware
and will begin at once to organize
throughout this State.
This is the school of which Thomas
A. Edison is dean, and in the faculty Of
which are the following scientists and
educators: MIR. Nikola Tesla, Prof. II.
5. Carhart of Ann Arbor University,
Prof. Harris j. Ryan of Cornell, Prof.
William A. Anthony, Prof. Is. H.
Thomas of the University of Ohio,
Prof. ID. g. Jackson of the University Of
Wisconsin, +. A. Q. Perrine of Leland
Stanford University, Prof. Brown Ayres
of the University Of Louisiana, Prof.
George ID. Shepardson of the Univer-
sity of Minnesota, Prof. Elisha Gray,
Prof. NJ. O'Dea Of Notre Dame Univcr-
sity, Dr. W. J. Herdman of Ann Arbor
University and Prof, ]. b. Barrett,
chief electrician of the City of Chicago.
The school Is operated by means of
classes, numbering from % to so mem
bers, which meet one or two evenings
each week, at places convenient TO the
members. These classes are taught by
thoroughly experienced instructors from
lessons prepared by the members of the
faculty and by the use of apparatus to
demonstrate the principles taught, and
TO familiarlze the members with the
methods of the construction and opera
ton of all kinds of electrical machinery
and instruments.
The feature of the school that appeals
most to mechanics, school boys and
business men, Is the fact that the higher
mathematics are not employed, so that
if one has common school education
and knows how to add, subtract, null
tiply and divide, he can master the
work of the course.
1t is the aim Of the faculty of the
school to teach that kind of electricity
that the members can use in their bust
ness-that is, the practical or CONNER
cial side Of the science. About 10 les
sons of the AS that make up the course
deal in plain and simple way with the
principles and laws of electricity, and
the balance Of the course is devoted to
teaching the application of those prin-
ciples and laws in the construction and
operation of commercial and scientific
apparatus.
The school is one of the valuable re-
suits of the Worlds Fair, where the
members OF the faculty met and spent
some time together, and where an at
tempt was made to give series of prac-
teal lectures on electricity with the use
of the electrical exhibits. The plan
failed and had to be discontinued, for
the unique reason that facilities could
not be had to accommodate even u small
part of those who were anxious to take
advantage Of the opportunity TO learn
more about subject that had prior to
that time been good deal of a mystery.
After the Fair was over, the original
plans were modified and the National
School, with branches all over the
country, has been the result.
In Chicago, where classes were first
organized, the Board of Public Educa-
ton took up the subject and by official
action gave the school the use Of public
school buildings in which to hold the
class meetings.
Some of the most prominent business
men and scientists in the country, be.
side the members of the faculty, are in
teresting themselves in the success of
the school, and already there are more
than 1900 students taking the course in
the West alone
The main office of the school has been
transferred from Chicago to New York,
from which point the work throughout
the East will be directed.
Mr.. G. II. Van Trump of the Viii.
mington City Electric Co. is interesting
himself with view to getting class
started in Wilmington. Interested par
ties may get fuller information regard
ing the plans of the school from him.