The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-10-19

Prof. Ernest RUNNER has won ma
tional fame by sending messages for
several miles over telephone without
the aid of wire. What Marconi has
done in the field of biography he has
done in another field, and those ex-
perts in Europe who are best qualified
to speak with authority on the subject
say that his achievement is as notable
and will produce as far-reaching re-
suits as the distinguished Italians.
Prof RUNNER has for several years
been known as an indefatigable physi-
cist, and some time ago he gave proof
that his labor had not been in vain by
inventing the instrument known as the
photographophone. Consequently the
leading electricians and other experts
of Germany were not surprised when
he informed them recently that he had
discovered a method of sending wire
less MESA ges by telephone and that he
intended to give a practical proof
thereof, which he would like them to
witness.
Many accepted the invitation, among
them being Herr Won Rudiger, promi
nent- government official, and Profess
sors Kalisch and Kapp, of the Techni-
cal High school. of Charlottenburg, as
well as representatives of the Berlin
and Vienna press.
The experiments were held on the
Wannsee. near Berlin, and were most
successful in spite of the facts that
heavy rain was falling and the air was
frequently disturbed by noise from
nearby vessels. The inventor sent
wireless messages by telephone for a
distance, first of two and a half and
then OF four and a quarter miles.
Follows Prof. Bell.
How did Prof. RUNNER happen to
invent such a wonderful thing?" many
persons are now asking, and scientists
reply that he has achieved success
by following faithfully in the line of
Prof. Alexander Graham Bells expert
ment with light. In 1880 Prof Bell
proposed that the radiophone be used
for utilizing radiant energy, such as
light or radiant heat, for the trans
mission of sound.
The radiophone, which was then at
tracing much attention, was an appa-
ratus founded on the discovery made
by Mr.. May while carrying out expert
ments on selenium-that when selen-
ium is exposed to light it's electrical re-
sistance differs greatly from what it is
in the dark.
While bordering over this discovery
Prof. Bell conceived the idea that if a
ray Of light issuing from one station
could be made to fall on a Selenium
plate at another station, and if it's in
tensity could be varied by the voice
of speaker, then, if a telephone and a
battery in circuit with the selenium
plate were connected, the words spoken
in the distant station would be heard
in the telephone.
Tests which were made proved that
this theory was correct.
Since then Prof. Simon, the inventor
of the Singing lamp" and Mr.. w. Du-
dell, the English scientist have shown
clearly that light can be used for the
transmission of sound, and that their
experiments in this direction have been
of signal service to Prof. RUNNER while
perfecting his method of wireless tel
ephony is thought by experts to be
very probable.
New Use of Selenium.
Nevertheless Prof. RUNNER has made
one distinct and most important dis
covery, and therefore, no matter how
much he may be indebted to the work
of others who have experimental with
light, he is we'll entitled to all the
praise which he is now receiving, for il
he had not made this discovery he
could not have perfected his system OF
discover how to make the utmost pos
sible use Of that curious metal selen-
ium.
Hitherto selenium was supposed to
be color blind, or, in other words, to be
only sensitive to red and yellow rays
Now, however, Prof. RUNNER has dis
covered, through many chemical tests
that selentum is also sensitive to blue
violet and ultra violet, or invisible rays
To show the Importance of this discov-
cry ii is only necessary to point Out
that If selenium were only sensitive tC
red and yellow rays it would be i'm
possible to telephone without wires
whenever the sun was shining.
The more selenium is exposed tt
light the better it acts as conductor Of
electricity and on this principle Prof
Runners invention is mainly based.
His experiments at the Wannsee
were surprisingly simple. At the trans
uniting station person spoke into the
diaphragm of the ordinary telephone
The sound waves then acted upon the
electrical current by which the ngh
was produced, and this light was car.
ried to the receiving station. There
the light acted upon the selenium
which, as has been said, conducts the
current better or worse. according a:
the light is strong or weak, anG
through the aid of the current, which
was successfully weak and strong, the
same sounds as those generated in the
transmitting station were exactly re.
produced in the receiving station.
Moreover, the diaphragm vibrated II
the same manner in each station, anC
the sounds sent forth from one point
were distinctly heard at the other. The
seleniuIn used on this occasion was IL