Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1901-04-12
much cheaper. Moreover, only n

Su1alI percentage Oh III CONTAINS tHe
mysterious luminous element. When
the raw material can be more cheaply
obtained and more completely con-
centrated it will certainly become
much-sought commercial article.
Biologists will meanwhile locate the
earth's deposit of uranium, the crude
material from which radium is ex-
tracted. 1t can probably be found in
sufficient quantities to supply any
reasonable demand. A half ton of
the residue of uranium materials now
produces only about two pounds Of
the radiant powder But this loss is
due to the fact that no one yet knows
how to extract radium economically.
Radium will revolutionize all light
ing methods when cheaply produced.
II mere dram of the crude powder
will show such power as Mr.. Smillie
observed, hundred pounds of the re.
fined materials will doubtless work
marvels. Mr.. Smillie estimated that
a half-pound of the powder will light
an ordinary room. This it will do if
thinly spread out. Its visible light
radiates only from the particles upon
the outer surface OF the powder,
stored in glass vessels. The radiance
OF those within is, therefore, practically
wasted when the powder is packed in
an ordinary bottle.
Like a magnet, radium maintains
its energy indefinitely. 1t will give
off light for years without showing any
loss. 1t appears impossible for it to
lose its intensity. Some chemists
think that its rays are infinitesimal
particles thrown off by the mineral.
If so the strongest radiation would re-
quire probably millions of years to re-
move one milligram OF the substance.
This estimate is made by Prof. H.
Darlington Bolton, well-known
Washington chemist, who has made
tests of the material obtained by
Prof. Langley.
Rays from radium have also the
power of Transforming oxygen into
ozone. Rooms lighted thereby will
perhaps receive in this way purer,
more wholesome and more refreshing
atmosphere, stimulating the dweller
to greater agility of thought and ac-
ton than rooms lighted by lamps
breathing out carbonic acid gas.
Moreover, the radium rays, unlike
those from present artificial light, do
not raise the temperature of sur
rounding space. They cannot pro-
duce heat or set fire to any inhamma-
BILE material. They would, therefore,
increase the safety of houses from
fire.
When radium is cheaply and
sbundantly produced it will be a
simple matter to illuminate the
streets with globes coated with its
radiant film. Watch faces similarly
treated will be visible in the blackest
darkness. Ships gliding under the
inky canopy OF night will perhaps be
made as brilliantly visible as the frey
vessels of fairyland. What need of
headlights upon bicycles, automobiles,
street cars and railroad trains il these
dark eliminators can be adorned with
radium paint? Who can gainsay
that the wonderful mineral will ulti.
mately become so cheap that country
roads and byways can be lined with
fiery fences, leading the rural plodder
safely on mis- dreary way? And may
not cities themselves stand out from
the Earth's sable crust in burning
consultations, striking awe and ad-
miration to the Martians?
But, seriously, when radium can
be found in abundance it will un.
doubtedly afford man his cheapest
light-alight which will never fall.