The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-11-17
GREATHIDDEN FORCE
THE ELECTRICITY IN THE AIR WHICH
MAY BE STORED FOR USE.

| III Is scientific fact that the atmosphere
contains more or less electricity at all
times. Over century ago Benjamin
Franklin gave practical demonstration
Of this truth by drawing u current of cleo
tricity from the upper atmosphere through
q kite Other experiments of a similar
nature resulted in the death Of several ex-
perimenters, they having unwisely lost
sight Of the fact that it was necessary to
have some protection in tho shape of in
sulation In case of an overcharge.
These experiments have proved beyond
| doubt that electricity may be drawn from
| the atmosphere by simple means, all of
which have been long understood and are
quite natural; moreover, we know that it
is easier to obtain this current under some
| atmospheric conditions than others. Dry
air is nonconductor and moist air good
conductor of this valuable invisible power,
and the greatest amount of electricity is
found when the atmosphere is charged to
its full capacity with moisture.
Electricity is shown in the phenomena
of thunderstorms, in the slight electrified
ton in the air during clear weather and
in the aurora.
During the auroral display it has been
pOSslDlc, OWluS 10 inc dDunuiHCe Oh elcC-
tricity in the air, to work telegraph lines
and transmit messages for long distances
without the aid of battery The most
plausible theory of the aurora is that of
Franklin, that it is caused by electric dis
charges in the upper air, resulting from
differing electrical conditions of the cold
air of the polar regions and the warmer
streams of air and vapor raised from the
ocean by evaporation in tropical regions.
1t is generally understood that the clear
air above the earth is positively electrified
and that the air at the earth's surface is
negatively electrified and its volume meas
ured by its potential from a point above
the earth to that at the surface, while the
air between the upper and lower layers
serves to keep the opposite charges separate.
1t is usually found that in cloudy or
rainy weather the charge Is of a negative
character and with clearing weather it
changes to positive any definite change in
the electrical conditions indicating u
change of weather conditions
Atmospheric conditions must necessa-
rily play very essential part in the cleo
trical potential. This being so uncertain
and weather conditions SO changeable, it
may never be possible to obtain "a constant
for any given elevation, but it is possible
to so govern the current drawn from the
clouds or a clear sky by passing it to earth
through lightning arresters or possibly re-
sistance coils that by the time it reaches
the desired point its potential would be so
reduced as to allow its charge to be utilized
in charging storage batteries.
Now, it may be said that under the
most adverse conditions the current would
be found too weak to be of value but l
believe that even under such conditions
there would be sufficient electricity gath
cred to continue in force that previously
stored without failure or loss of power,
provided the capacity of storing is stuff
Client to meet the wants of an emergency
of this character.
This would provide against the unstable
atmospheric element, and, the periods and
conditions under which its greatest vol
ume exists being known, extra precaution
and provision must be made for storing for
future Use.
1t is contended by some that the ocean
affords the best facilities for gathering and
storing this valuable power. l contend |
that although the ocean may be the bet |
ter conductor, it would be more difficult |
to store on the ocean than OH land, for it
is always an easy matter to carry cur
ItIJ W luOlSb sui anu uO tnc storing.
Besides, there are in addition to be gathered
the earth currents and that artificially gen (
Grated by the thousands of dynalnos etc, !
which is of itself today "a vast power and I
is hardly utilized before the power IL lost |
There is nothing to prove that "a current /
when once set in motion cannot be con-
trolled and made permanent power Its ]
force if stored, may be used over and over
again if a proper conductor is provided
after it has performed its work to carry it /
to reservoir or storage plant for future
use.
Have you ever thought of the great !
volume of electricity which our atmos-
phere containsY We inhale with every
breath "a sufficient quantity to strengthen |
and invigorate us. 1t is one of the most |
important elements. There is an ebb
and flood wave to our atmosphere which |
Is similar in its action to the tides of |
the ocean. Its maximum pressure oc-
ours at certain hours of tho day and |
night and its minimum ut opposite hours.
When the pressure Is at its minimum the
electrical force Of our bodies is least, and
1T such times we are greatly enervated
and weakened, and at periods of excessive
humidity similar effects in our physical
may DO observed When the at
mosphere is thoroughly saturated, it is a
more perfect conductor, and the current
readily leaves us for that Offering the least
resistance. All these forces tend to show
and prove that there is an electrical dis
charge from one substance to another, and
FULLY demonstrates that Ii needs but the |
best conductor to gather and proper re-
,eptacle to store the electric fluid which
surrounds us.
Several experimenters are already en-
ployed in devising a plan for gathering
and storing atmospheric electricity, and I
am confident from the progress already
attained in this line that IL will not be
many years before atmospheric electricity
IAN be properly stored and utilized, taking
the place Of all lighting, heating and mo-
;or power employed ut the present day.
The possibilities and uses to which this
power may be applied are innumerable.
expect to see 1t used in every house in as
simple manner as gas or water, so that
& shall be within the reach of the poor as
we'll as the wealthy.
The earth and atmosphere were given to
men, mice and bugs for useful purposes;
The earth has responded to many Of their