Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-11-01
SAFE FROM LIGHTNING.
Steel Frames OF skyscrapers Garry Eiec.
tricity to the Ground.

Steel Frames OF sky.crapers Garry Eiec.
tricify to the Ground.
In designing the great skyscrapers
tina; are going up by the score in
Philadelphia and every other large city
there is no more difficult problem for
the architects than that of properly
protecting the towering structure from
damage by lightning. AS these won
derful productions of modern times
are invariably built upon steel skele-
tons they are the best possible conduc-
tors Of electricity that could be de-
eIgned.
Nevertheless, if one is to place any
confidence in the statements of at least
t.,ree well known Philadelphia scien-
lists. the persons who are in these tall
structures during severe thunder
storm are fac safel' than those who
are IN tn. lower stone and frame struc-
lures surrounding them. and the hope
il held out for those timid folk who.
acting the Part of the ostrich. which
hides its mead in the sand to escape
danger. think TO escape the lightning
cned room. that they may stand in
skyscraper with perfect safety during
the most violent electrical storm.
Instead OF being sources of increased
danger in time of electrical storms. the
numerous s.eei buildings that are be-
ing Projected hundreds OF feet into the
air are iikened by the scientists to so
many immense lightning reds that
serve far more effectively than any or
binary lightning conductor to carry
oil discharges OF electricity. None OF
these tail buildings is ever equipped
with lightning rods because the steel
skeleton upon which they are support
ed is given pei feet connection with
the ground. and Il the building should
happen TO struck by lightning the dis.
charge OF electricity would be carried
through the hundreds of steel Orders
and braces TO the foundations and into
the ground without doing any dam
age.
Ii is a fact, however that because
of their being constructed of steel and
because Of their great height the sky
scrapers are particularly attractive to
lightning bolts. and it is supposed Dy
the scientists that during a storm 81
lent discharges of electricity are al
rlos; continuously passing through the
buildings. And il is this capacity of
the tall structures to relieve the cleo.
trical tension which always accom-
ranies thunder storm that adds an
other advantage 10 them besides that
Of convenience as great beeniyes of in
dustry.
That the skyscraper is absolutely
proof against lightning stroke has been
clearly demonstrated in numerous ex-
periments with gun cotton in a steel
cage. IL quantity of gun cotton is
place In steel cage and then sub
jected to a discharge of artificial light
n:ng it will not explode. but il the
gun cotton is subjected TO the discharge
of electricity in the open it will. of
course. explode instantly On this same
principle il is believed the steel skeie
ton OF the skyscraper. well connected
with the ground. protects everything
within.
Mo- one of these buildings has ever
been known TO be damaged by bolt OF
lightning. And it is asserted that even
If the foundations should be imper.
feet the connections with gas and wa
tee mains and sewers. which are buried
III moist earth. would serve to carry
of any electricity that might be car
ried through the framework OF the
building
No doubt Ben Franklin would rec
Cgnize in these big Office buildings a
pretty good demonstration OF the prin-
clples he spent so much time and ener
gy TO discover and develop" said a
prominent Philadelphia scientist in
discussing this subject. History is
repeating itself. as il always does. We
are beginning to live again like the
! cliff jewellers in these big buildings.
But We are very comfortable and we
have all the comforts we need. and
now we are even protected from the
long feared dangers OF the mysterious
flash of lightning PHILADELPHIA
4 Press.