Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-10
AN ARTIFICIAL MOON.
Novel Form of Illumination Tor LII
brary of Columbia College.
CNew York Herald.)

NEW 1OIk f1cialut
A scheme Of illumination as beautiful
as 4. is original Is being put into opera
ton In the new library Of Columbia Uni
yersity BY system of reflected lights,
a biz. white moon. whose luminous rays
will light the whole interior, hangs sus-
pended from the dark-blue background
OF the dome.
Although electricity alone is used, ana
the most intense rays from arc lights are
focused through strong lenses an tue
great white sphere, the reflected raQlance
Of the moon consists OF rays so soft ana
diffused that II Is refreshing TO the sight
Tho students. in consulting Yoilmes III
the library, while receiving the oeneht OF
the light above them, VIII De In no "lSe
inconyenienced by 1t.
The moon consists OF hollow spheiS,
seven feet in diameter, constructed OF
wood, and painted dull white. It Is
suspended thirty feet from the dome by q
wire cable and hangs just above the -FOUR
great arches of the library so that when
the light is thrown on 1t the arches are
IN shadow.
ON the second floor of the library. in
the recess below every one OF the four
great windows is stationed a row OF
booksheIveB In the corners or every
row stands an unobtruslye box Of finished
oak, about fiCo feet high. There IS 10
covering to these boxes, and In the depth
Oh edCn Oilt a pDN'A III
whose rays are directed through lens
toward the wooden ball
The strong electric lights, so powerful TO
the sight, are entirely hidden. AS walk
ed about the moor OF the library yester-
day and looked up, the eight boxes n
their respective corners seemed portions
of the woodwork. Even on tina floor
above, cropping among the books on the
shelves, tho entire unslghtly electrical
mechanism was hidden from view.
~ the eight TaXS Is ABOUT
70 feet long. and their combined radiance
covers about three fourths OF the bail
The wooden sphere Is intensely illuml-
mated. and diffuses light which is SINH
lar 10 moonbeamS
George III. Baker, the librarian, told me
that the invention was the idea OF Charles
McKim. an architect.
ct took lot OF study 10 evolve sys-
tenn OF illumination that would be IN
harmony with the handsome decorations
OF tho library" said Mr.. Baker.
"a great chandelier suspended from the
dome would have been decidedly inappro-
pirate. Had lights been stationed here
and there over the arches tney woulu
have confused the eye. IL was necessary
10 devise an illumination that would dis
close the dome and lend a cheerful air
to the library.
Mr. Baker expressed himself as delight
cd with the artificial moon. He told me
that the readers at the tables would DC
eupplied with the ordinary shaded lights.
The idea OF tho artificial moon was put
into practical operation few days ago
I'm the old library OF the Columbia Unit
yersity. and proved itself great success,
although rays from only about three arc
lights were thrown on the sphere.
The experiment was made under the
direction OF William Hallock. Professor
OF Physics, and Charles McKim, the arch
itect
Although the idea OF a globe suspended
from the centre OF the dome was EN-
bodied In the inception OF the architects
plans. II was originally intended to con-
struct a metal sphere TO represent the
lobe. and surround IL with circle OF
incandescent lights.