The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1897-05-07

World" and several works on chemistry and
other scientific subjects. and it was this won
derful habit of concentration fred with the de-
termination to reach the point that has led
him to accomplish so many astonishing results
| He began public life at he age of twelve as .
train boy on the Grand Trunk railroad between
Port Huron and Detroit. He sold figs. apples.
toys magazines, newspapers and the entire in
ventory of things that make up the miscellane-
GUS merchandise OF the train boy. His bust
ness rapidly increased and he was compelled to
ploy four assistants. For the purpose of en-
larging his business, and thus demonstrating
his cary genius for invention. he hit upon the
novel plan of telegraphing in advance of his
train the head lines of the War News columns.
which were properly bulletined at the stations,
and which caused his papers TO go Off at almost
lightning speed.
From the first his ineinations were I'm the
direction of machinery and various mechan-
isms. When on the Grand Trunk Line he fire.
quently rode with the engineer that he might
learn something of the mysteries of the lOcOmO-
tive He purchased a standard work on the
electrical telegraph He constructed short
line telegraph by using common stove pipe
wire insulated with bottles placed on nails
uIfSh III hGCe. AnS htst uldSuCNS uSCu WIN
this primitive line were made of old wire wound
with rags for insulation. while piece of spring
brass formed the all important key. He had
seen sparks emitted from a cats back. and his
first attempt to generate a current was by
means of two huge cats rubbed vigorously at
each end of the line. At the appointed time he
inserted the cats in the circuit using the hind
and fore legs as electrodes. The only success at
3l.;- -
the two cats, which under the pressure of the
moment disappeared at lightning speed and
were never afterward heard of. The ex-
pertinent however was not without success as .
tremendous local current and a perfect electric
arc were produced. but it would not work the
line and was abandoned, though had young
Edison demonstrated the feasibility of cats for
electrical purposes he would doubtless have re-
ceived the homage of mankind.
At the age of fifteen he learned telegrsphy
and became an operator. While operating at
Indianapolis he invented his first successful
telegraph instrument. 1t was an automatic re-
peater by means of which messages are trans-
ferred from one telegraph line 10 another line
without the medium of a sending or receiving
operator.
Edison's principal inventions are thirty-sWO
in number No invention In history has en-
gendered more curiosity than the PhOnO-
graph. For debating it will take the place Of
short hand reporter. 1t will sing in the voice
of Patti and Kellogg. so that each family can
have an opera every evening. II may be used
to read to inmates of blind asylums and to
teach languages In fact its utility is endless
Another of his inventions is the incandescent
house light, which is produced by current Of
electricity passed through filsment Of carbon
in a vacuum heating the carbon to q white heat
which gives the light
The new Edison Dynamo is singular and
somewhat complicated machine, which by
means of the very rapid revolutions of an avn
AZURE, properly adjusted to q magnet field, gen
crates the current.
The task of this great inventor was undertak-
en- at time when absolutely nothing had been
done to guide his way. There were no finger
posts. no beaten paths, nothing but wilder
ness of darkness and Obscurity. He is not only
the greatest inventor of the age, but discover
er as well. When he cannot find the materials
with the properties he requires. be reaches far
out into the regions of the unknown and brings
back the requisites of the inventions.
There can be ne doubt that he is one Of the
most remarkable men of the present century.
His improvements in telegraphy and the work
ing of the telephone have almost exhausted the
possibilities of electricity.
While Huxley, Tyndall, Spencer and other
theorists have talked and speeulated. he has
quietly produced accomplished facts, and with
his marvellous inventions is pushing the whole
world ahead in its onward march to higher
civilization.