The times., 1899-04-09
LIQUID AIR and
IT'S Possibilities
Coming Rival of Electricity
as a Motor Power.
Destined TO Be an Important Fac
tor in Commerce.
Latest of Scientific Inventions tn Al.
trnrt Attention From the Ma
tionx of the Earth.

Washington devotees to science are bus
lily engaged just now speculating upon tho
possibilities OF liquid air. The interest
that is taken in this wonderful auid Is
phenomenal Many outside OF the ranks OF
science are thinking Of the matter seri-
ously and are dreaming OF the startling
changes which the advent Of liquid air as
motive power portends. Perhaps no
other discovery in the scientific world has
aroused such universal interest unless 1t
was the finding and development OF the
x-ray.
From time to time during the past few
years the newspapers have published ae-
counts Of experiments with liquid air. con-
Quoted by scientists in different parts OF
the world. At first the results interested
only those more deeply yersed in scien
tifc lore. as the great cost Of producing
the liquid when the first trials were con-
Quoted made its useful application in the
affairs of life too remote to be considered
by those who seek TO turn to practical ac-
count scientific discoveries but within the
past few months, since Prof Charles E.
Tripler of New York. has demonstrated
his ability to make gallons OF the subtle
fluid at a trifing cost and more has been
learned about its irresistible expansive
powers, mechanical experts as well as 9TH
ers who would be benefited by its appii-
cation as a motive power have and are
stiH regarding with deep interest every
new development in methods OF harnessing
its wonderful strength.
The lecture of Prof. Charles e Tripler.
of New York. the inventor OF the only ma
chine which will produce liquid air In large
quantities at small cost, before the Ma
tional Geographic Society at the Airing
ton Hotel several weeks ago was no doubt
the means of causing the special interest
which has been aroused in this city. Prof.
Tripler's lecture was illustrated by expe-
riments which showed in small way the
surprising power OF liquid air. Probably
the most practical of these was the de-
monstration of the pressure developed by
the liquid as it assumes its gaseous FORM
The experiment consisted in adjusting
tube fitted out with q whistle to a glass
jar containing quantity Of the huid- The
confinement imposed by the jar forced the
expanding air to seek an outlet through
the tube. This caused the whistle to blow
with considerable force showing that
when the air Is confined it is possible to
turn it's expansive qualities to account for
propelling powerful machinery. In his la
boratory in New York, Prof. Tripler by
actual experiment has operated steam
engine by means OF the frosty fluid The
engine was a small one, but there is no
good reason to predict that the largest
engine cannot be made to operate by the
same means. The theory OF the applica-
ton of liquid air Is entirely practical
For years scientists have been endeavor-
ing to discover some way by which the
heat of the suns rays can be utilized in
producing power. 1t would seem that
these endeavors have been crowned with
success at last. The employment Of liquid
air is in entire accordance with the sug-
gestion of the use of the suns heat, but
it is not in the line of Investigations pre-
viousIy carried on Former experiments
have endeavored to secure power from the
direct rays Of the sun but the expansion
of liquid air can be produced even when
the sun is not shining The heat stored in
the surrounding air on the eoldest winter
day is sufficient to melt liquir air, thus
producing expansion
Washington investigators who have ex-
amiued the merits of the new discovery
frequently within the past few weeks ex-
press the belief that the time is very near
when the entire practicability Of the en-
ployment of liquid air in commerce will
be demonstrated beyond the shadow OF q
doubt. They freely predict that the COM
ing year will witness the beginning
of a nightly revolution in the me-
chanicaI world which during its
course will cause the retirement of steam
and even electricity from the field as
power producers. 1t is very probable.
however. they say. that electricity will
continue to be used for lighting purposes
1t seems, though. if the predictions Of sci
entific men are to be depended upon that
its usefulness for propulsion purposes is
at an end at least until some more direct
means of producing it can be found.
Should liquid air prove such a potent
factor as many seem to think it will the
time is not far distant when horses will
be retired to the enjoyment Of long
earned rest. Instead of cabs and carriages
being drawn by the faithful quadruped
through the streets of Washington they
will be propelled by liquid air motors. The
streets OF the city. which are noted
throughout the United States for their fine.
| smooth pavements. are especially well
adapted for vehicles OF this character.
Should discoveries now anticipated be real
lied TO the extent predicted it is thought
that improvements in the production OF
power will be carried to every line Of trade
and industry. The cycling enthusiast will
no longer have to pump his weary way
over beautiful roads in the vicinity OF the
city, but will simply apply the power to
his liquir air bicycle and glide hlithefully
I over the hard macadam enjoying the pic
, turesque scenery as he goes
| All who have lived in Washington for any
| length of time have heard of the mills
| and manufactures Of Georgetown. which
receive their power from the Great Falls OF
| the Potomac This picturesque and ancient
manner OF harnessing the gravitation power
| Of nature will, in common with the manipu-
/ Iation of the aerial forces for the perform
| ance of mans work. give way TO that more
! potent power which now seems TO be COM
| ing to cur command. To the more progress
| i've the anticipation Of this revolution
/ which threatens is pleasure, but TO those
| who have an undying respect for the insti-
| tutions and methods of the past generations
! the contemplation is painful and to those
whose opinions on such matter are ex-
| treme the coming changes are regarded as
being almost sacrilegious. In the mean
! time the eyes of the thinking world will
watch eagerly for new developments in
direction of perfecting and improving ways
I for handling to advantage the new power
Embarrassing.
(From the Philadelphia Record.>
| One Of wilmington's best known society men
made a visit to Philadelphia iast week, and 10
| avoid the annoyance Of carrying n bag he he