Birmingham age-herald., 1895-07-20
CATERING TO MIDAS.
NO LIMIT TO THE MODERN USES OF
 ELECTRICITY.
odds and Ends of Household Luxuries Now Operated by Harnessed Lightning. Tho Fluid as It Is Used In Rich Mans House.

The Fluid a5 It Is Used In Rich Mans
 House.
 Electricity dominates invention nowa- days A steady stream of new ideas re- lating to the mysterious fluid is pouring into the patent office. Yet this branch of research is only in it's infancy Before long, if progress continues at it's present rate the work of tho world will be mainly done by electrical apparatus.
 Already electricity contributes enor- mously to the luxury of the rich. Tho household establishment of Mr. Gorgius Midas is fairly run by harnessed lightning. The walls of tho dwelling arc threaded with q maze of hidden wires, tho currents are distributed over it, being controlled by switches and automatic regulators. A complete electric plant in tho basement furnishes lights and runs an elevator which las no attendant, being perfectly controlled by push buttons.
 On waking in tho morning Mir Midis summons his valet by push button and presently is notified that his bath is ready. His ablutions arc accompanied bY mild scrub with an electric brush, which pro- duccs pleasant tingling sensation and is healthful for tho skin. Emerging from the tub he rubs himself to a glow with an electrical towel, which is woven on 0 looso web of very fine wires So as to be perfectly flexible. Towel and brush gre connected with small storage battery, and the current may be mado as gentlo as desired This also applies 10 comb that hangs by tho shaving glass Nobody has yet invented on electric razor, but that will come in time.
 MT Midas uses an electric toothbrush for tho benefit of his gums, d,thcn, feel ing fit for a little exercise, ho devotcs flye minutes to handling pair of light dumb bells. These also arc electrical and give a series of mild shocks to the person cm- ploying them. Tho gentleman is now ready for his breakfast. His coffee is drunk out of cup of precious metal, which is readily attached to little bat tory beneath the table by hooking it on to tho end of Q fine wiro In his left hand he holds small electrodc that terminates another wiro. Tie act of drinking closes tho circuit, and the liquid conveys the electricity to the alimentary canal and stomach This is not only excellent for digestion, but it renders moro palatable tine fluid taken from tho cup, because the electricity stimulates the organs of taste.
 Having finished breakfast and read tho morning paper, MT Midas takes his hat and cane and starts down town for his office. The stick has a massive gold head and would be a prize for a sneak thief, but it reposcs safely in the hall rack, which has an alarm attachment, so as to givo in- stant notice in case coat or anythinga else on it is removed. The cane referred to is itself electrical, sending pleasant thrills through tho body of the user. Mir 2 Midas wife, who is musically inclined, { spends most of tho morning in playing on piano which is so contrived that she re- ceives q series of shocks while manipulat- ing tho keys, this undergoing a treatment for rheumatism incidentally to tho per formanco. Up stairs the children arc play ing with dolls that are made to dance by electricity.
 All this might be considered rather far fetched, were it not that patents have been taken out for every one of the devices de- scribed.
 Mir Midas occasionally has an engage ment at his club that keeps him out late. He may decide to have his shoes shined. He drops q nickel into a slot, sits down in chair and puts his feet upon two sup ports provided for the purpose. An elcc- trio motor actuatcs the brushes-first a brush that carries backing supplied from Q reservoir and then polishing brushes. On his way home several hours later, the
 
 know tho time. His watch is provided with a very small electric light bulb. In his other waistcoat pocket, connected with the watch by chain which serves as a conducting wire, is little battery. An instant's pressure upon charm that is at tached to the chain closes the circuit ig- mites the lamp and Eliminates the dial.
 When MT. Midas reaches home he has no trouble in finding the keyhole. He pushes button, and an electric light shines through a round hole in the door, Illuminating the koyhole. AS he enters the house all is silent. Tho only noise he hears as he passes his wife's room is that of the baby's cradle, which is being rocked by electricity. He retircs to rest and dreams that ho is shipwrcckod on desert island, where sayages amuse themselves by tattooing him with very improper pie turos so that ho will never again bo able to appear in civilized society.
 The process is infinitely more painful than the modern method, by which needle, actuated by electricity jumps up and down and makes puncfures so rapidly that line is described with it almost as fast as if drawn carefully on paper. Thus the sketch is outlined and is filled in with a similar machine carrying five needles and making stripe oneeighth of an inch wide. The needles are dipped in vermilion for red. To turn out a tattooed man in this wise, all ready for exhibition, costs only $20..
 Of course Mir. Midas has an electric pleasure boat. The power for running it is contained in storage batteries concealed under the seats. Electricity is rapidly com ing into use for navigation. It is said that electric boats are replacing gondolas in Venice. A new invention is an electric float for the life saving service. It is sent out through the surf to a distressed vessel, being propelled and steered from the shore and carrying an electric lamp of several hundred candle power. An improved life buoy is provided with an electric light, so that it may attract the attention of drowning person when it is thrown over board.
 Canalboats arc now run by electricity, and the Baltic ship canal is to be equipped with 25, 900 electric lamps. It is expected that some day ships may be propelled by electricity drawn from the ocean, the lat ter furnishing the motive power as well as medium of transportation. Electrici-