The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-05-09
STANDING IN COLD LIGHT
Something About the Nearest Approach t.
Artificial Daylight Made.

Artificial Daylight Made.
New York, May Sit will be several
| days before the exhibits at the New
York Exposition are all in place, and
although many of the exhibits yet uno-
pened are among the most important,
| there are now a great many things to
| excite the interest of the non-technical
| observer, as well as the electrician and
scientist
Until Governor Morton pressed the
golden key which turned on the all
pawerful current on Monday night the
main hall was dimmed, the only light be-
ing supplied from framework of glow
ing vacuum tubes which surrounded the
Governor and other distinguished per-
sons taking active part in the ceremo-
MES. This light was a demonstration
OF the progress made in the direction
of securing cold light. The system is
D. MacFarlan Moore's of New York,
and while he has not succeeded in OBJ
tanning a midday glare, he has made
wonderful progress. His laboratory has
been sufficiently illuminated to take Sc
veral very we'll defined photographs
including some very good portraits.
The neuclus of Mr.. Moore's research
es and inventions is that of a descriptive
of which is produced in a vacuum. I'm
der these conditions it is found that the
phenomena produced by ordinary appa-
ratus for producing glow light in a
vacuum tube are wonderfully changed
both in power and quality of the light
emitted. At the potentials which are
used in this apparatus ordinary insula-
ting materials are adequate for all in
sulation Of the system. The amount and
kind of light emitted depends upon the
suddenness of the break in the primary
circuit of the induction coil, and this,
under ordinary conditions, cannot be
done rapidly enough 10 produce the
desired effect owing 10 the prolongation
of the time Of making and breaking
the circuit caused by the spark which
is produced at the make and break Of
an inductive circuit. BY producing
this break in a vacuum the narrowest
conceivable complete gap in the metal
lie circuit results in an almost instan-
taneous discontinuance of current, en-
surfing the proper conditions for the
production of cold light. The appara-
tus by which these results are accom-
pl.shed are extremely simple, consisting
Of an ordinary small electrO-mag net,
a vibrating contact contained in vac
uum t6be the size of ones thumb and
a vacuum tube Of any desired dimension
which furnished the light by the glow
produced in its interior The vibrat-
ing contact Is formed Of steel spring
rigidly supported at one end and connec-
ted in circuit so that the attractions
and repulsions OF the electro-maCnet
located outside the tube inclosing il,
internationally make and break the cur
rsnt in which the glow lamp is placed.
This glow lamp consists Iof a simple
glass tube Of any desired dimensions.
exhausted OF air and provided with a
tin foil cap at each extremity. These
acps are connected 70 the electric cir
cult. When the circuit 50 formed is
supplied with a current by battery OF
a few primary cells. beautiful glow
resembling sunshine is obtained. The
color Of this glow when contrasted with
the light OF an incandescent lamp caus-
es the latter 70 look reddish and 10 have
wasteful glare. indicating the presence
OF neat waves, while the light Of the
former appears by contrast 10 be pure
white. While the system has not vet
neen developed 70 comercial basis.
decided advance has been made upon
what was thought impossible even a
year ago. and the many advantar>
possessed by cold light marx u as the
light OF the future for general iIlu,i1a-
ting purposes.