The herald., 1896-02-29

and light are considered to be all pro.
duced by the vibration, more or less in
tense, of one and the same ether. A dis
turbance of this ether in varying vibrations
might therefore produce both sound and
color at the same moment and by the same
operation. This in fact is what does really
happen. Every note in music has its cor
responding color. The color of is
red, deeper or brighter according to
whether it be middle c.. high c
or that of the lower register. The
''color organ" is based on this principle
and is very wonderful device. As the
musician strikes the keys of the piano or
organ, there is cast upon a screen Sue
cession of rhythmic color waves, surprising
all description, SO great is their beauty,
They remind one of the ever-changing fig
ures of the kaleidoscope. Perhaps by
means Of this invention deaf mutes who
cannot hear musical sound may never
fully as if it reached their auditory nerves.
f. E. Ricketson, the well-known gas
engineer of st. Louis, said of acetylene,
the new illuminant: "Acetylene is found
In common coal gas, but in only very small
quantities, and is it's most light-giving con-
stituent. 1t is composed of twelve
thirteenths carbon and thirteenth
hydrogen. When burned in air from an
ordinary gas jet its flame is smoky, but
from specially constructed burner it not
only emits more light than any other gas,
but more than from any form of electric
lights which looks pale and of a sickly
yellow by its side. The new method of
making acetylene will give this illuminaut
a great future. 1t consists in heating to-
gether, in an electric furnace, powdered
chalk or lime, and finely ground coal dust,
carbon or charcoal. This forms carbide,
which is dark gray substance that looks
something like bad coal. 1t is composed
of tive.eighths calcium and three-eighths
carbon, which, thrown into water, results
in double decomposition, the water taking
up the carbon, and the carbon uniting with
the hydrogen, acetylene is formed, which
escapes from the water with active ebul-
lition and is collected in a receiver. All
that is necessary to observe in transporting
carbide is to take every precaution to keep
it dry. The consumer makes his own gas
of carbide and immersing it
in water. The only plant neces-
ts to store the gas. 1 By using the % common mnon
Bunsen burner the supply of gas and air
can be SO regulated as to produce pure
white flame of such intense brlliancy as to
be almost insupportable to the eye. One
five and a half cubic feet of acetylene,
measured at degrees centigrade and at
mospheric pressure. AS calcium carbide
can be made for 500 per ton, or even less,
computation shows that the cost of this
light, far superior to any now in use, would
be less than one-third of that now derived
from coal gas, when the latter sells at SO
cents per thousand feet. The preparation
of acetylene from the mineral elements
has long been of great interest theoretic-
ally, as it is the first step in the evolution
OF organic from inorganic substances. Benz
zine, naphthalene and ethylene may be
readily made from acetylene. The won.
derful series of aniline dyes and colors
is obtained from benzine, while from ethy-
lene can be obtained alcohol, from which q
long series of other organic substances
may be produced. But the chief value of
acetylene is that it makes isolated gas.
lighting possible, does away with the ex-
pensive plants now in use by gas com
panies, and last, but not least,
puts an end to the eveY-recurrent
tearing up Of the streets to detect
q leak, or to lay or relay pipes.
The first plant for the manufacture of car
bide is just finished at Niagara Falls, and
the product wilt be shipped to Philadel-
phia and made into gas for use throughout
that city and southern Pennsylvania. The
beauty Of acety lene is that it can be
shipped and stored as solid in the shape
of carbide, as liquid, or as compressed
gas and in the latter state may be carried
about for lighting railway carriages, street
cars, private carriages, bicycles, steam
ships and sailing vessels. and as the cost is
so low, It can be economically employed