New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-01-10
COOPER HEWTTTS LAMP.
Demonstration Before British .ScieR-
fists and Others.

London Jan 9--The first European DEM
onstrstion Of Peter Cooper Hewitt's mercury
vspor lamp was given by George Westinghouse
this evening at the Offices OF the British Electric
and Manufacturing Company, Limited London,
before large number OF well known men The
demonstration most successful. The vari-
and striking applications Of this unique cleo
trio light made a marked impression upon the
assembled company. notable incident OF the
occasion was the exhibition Of Peter Cooper
Eewitt's static converter. described the most
original and important discovery IN relation to
general distribution OF electric current fer light
and power purposes that has been brought to
public attention since the advent of the COM
-ne-cial of electricity. This remarkable de-
vice, IN the shape Of small globe less than one
foot IN diameter. converts alternating TO direct
current, and the claim was made before the as
ssrnbled scientists, fnanciers and railway man
ayers that II would. by reason Of its simplicity
cheapness, great efficiency and the absence Of
moving parts eventually displace the large and
costly apparatus now used everywhere for the
conversion Of alternating 10 direct current
Keen interest was shown in these remarkable
inventions.
After the demonstration Mr.. Westinghouse
gave dinner at Claridges Hotel at which
nearly one hundred guests were present, includ-
ing many who were at the exhibition of the
Hewitt apparatus. Among them were Lord
Kelvin. Lord RothschiId. Lord Morley. Lord
Claude Hamilton. chairman of the Great East
Railway; Lord Anerton, chairman of the
Northern Railway; Sir Henry Oakley chair
nan OF the Central London Railway; Colo
nel Mellor, chairman of the Metropolitan
Railway; Emil Garcke chairman of the
British Electric Traction Company; Colonel
Yorke. Of the Board of Trade; Sir Henry
Tyler. Sir Charles Rivers Wilson. John Walter
nj 4 = TT11-
Moberley Bell. manager Of The Tines; Rob-
EFT Benson Colonel Hunsiker. Edward Speyer.
James c Stewart and Sir Joseph Lawrence.
Il IS understood that arrangements are being
made for the manufacture Of the Hewitt appa-
ratus in the various Westinghouse works
throughout Europe and the United States
Peter Cooper Hewitt exhibited some Of his launps
~ the American Institute OF Electrical Engineers
- Ap-1l, 1901 The light is produced by rendering
luminous. by \ ordinary direct current of cleo
rrlctIy Of low voltage. -spor, gas confined in
glass tube One Of the vapors used that emitted
by mercury at e temperature Of 200 or 800 degrees
Ceutgrade At each end Of al upright tube Is OF 80
inches long and inside the same small CUPS are
formed 70 contain the mercury. Each OF the cleo
ITooes that lead the is sealed into the glass
so as 10 terminate in Of the cups. When the
lamp Is started the heat generated by the electric
current vaPorizes enough Of the mercury i'll the
tube. The vapor serves z conductor Of the
rent and CLOVIS under its influence.
Before starting there is almost q perfect vacuum
n the tube When the lamp is in fun operation the
vaPor reaches density far less than that Of the
outside air. After the current is shut OF and the
tube cocls the vapor condenses and the mercury
Sums 70 the cups which previously held IL In
starting up the lamp Il is necessary apply heat
from some outside source else TO employ ad
olrlolaI amount Of current temporarily In the
latter case Mr. Hewitt makes of small Undue
non coil as a booster" The regulation of the
lamp after il IS once alght is automatic, although
{
thickness Of the glass and other features must be
carefully calculated The steadiness Of the light
depends maintaining the vapor at uniform
density, which IN turn is related 70 the heat de-
Telope6- This must not exceed certain maximum.
and under some circumstances additional radiating
surface is secured by making Z globular chamber
constitute part Of the lamp. Another way to control
the tenDerE is 70 surround the small tube with
e larger one and provide for q slight upward
orsuEbt through the intervening space The light
produced is Of great intensity
Another merit OF the lamp IS its economy Mr..
Hewitt says Il Is suited for both indoor and outdoor
service.