The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1896-05-30
MORE EDISON WONDERS.
The Great inventor 6till Adding to
His Scientific Achievements


WIFI JlAO AAOA OoNOfs~ AAOAAe~' 49, ~~Ss
son can now look through 2M feet OF
solid wood. Nothing better illustrates
the tremendous progress he has made
in his X-ray experiments.
When the announcement was first
r,;ade that Mr.. Edison had perfected
an apparatus that enabled him TO look
through eight inches of wood the whole
orld marveled. Many persons doubted
the possibility Of it. Now eight inches
Of wood offer only slight inlpediment
70 the eye under the X ray and there
have been times, when the conditions
We're peculiarly favorable, that Mr.. Edi-
son has penetrated a sheet OF steel one
sixteenth of an INCH in thickness.
Porous substances, like cork, for ex-
ample, practically offer no obstacle at
all to the Horoscope. Through three
feet of cork objects may be seen as dis
t;nctly as though there was no oDstruc-
ton at all, and there is reason to believe
that cork wall of a sufficient thickness
:, obscure the vision could not be set up.
"As matters are moving now. de-
clared one enthusiast, who was watch
ing Mr.. Edison at work recently, "he
will soon be able to look clear through
the earth into China" And this idea
must occur to everyone who sees the
wonders that are being perfected at
the wizards laboratory in Orange. AS
for Mr.. Edison himself, he says that he
Only wants to perfect his vacuum tubes.
so that they will stand "32 lamps s"-that
is, the power used in 80 incandescen'
lights-and then one may see through;
anything except the earth.
Mr.. Edison's enthusiasm and energy
continue uni1npaired. The things ne
las already accomplished. marvellous as
they are, have only whetted his appetite
fcr more. He sticks at his experiments
day and night. He does not seem to
know what fatigue is. For 4s hours at
a stretch he keeps going at times and
then he stops only long enough to
| snatch four or five hours sleep. when
nc is up and at it again.
He never leaves the laboratory now.
Mrs. Edison has gone on visit to out
cf-town friends, and this gives him per
| feet freedom to do as he likes. While
! his wife was in Orange she compelled
| him at times to come home, going to
the laboratory after him and refusing
10 stir until he consented TO go with
her to their house, across in Llewellyr
| rark. But he grudged the few hours
he had to spend away from his expert
| n,enting-room, and though he is a most
ctfectionate husband it is doubtful IT
/ he did not hail his wife's trip with en-
| thusiasm.
Not the least remarkable thing about
the wonder-wcrker is the manner III
which he manages to infuse his own
enthusiasm into the people all around
| him. His assistants are as earnestly
| interested in the work ON hand as he Is
himself, and remain with him constant
ly. "Ouitting time" has been entirely
abolished at the big laboratory. From
the meanest laborer in the place to the
chief assistant. all hands stay with the
chief far into the night.
/ The reporter left the place at MD
night, and there were then no more
signs of rest than there had been at
midday. Mr.. Edison himself was as
lively as a cricket. Between times al
the "lamp," as lie calls his vacuum tube
he skipped and danced about the place
cracking Jokes. telling funny stories
and acting as frisky as boy just out oi
/ school,. Yet he had not closed an eye
| II "a hours.
"rired ~ he said, in surprised tone
"Certainly not. This isn't work. This
is fun, and lots of it. What do we want
To get tired for? Well keep at it nntll
six or seven o'clock in the morning and
then we'll go to sleep for little while
N. Y. journal.