The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1907-01-24

Investigations on the electric arc and
also upon sand ripples. The award
comes with particular meaning to her,
for it is not only the first time that
the Royal society mas granted a medal
to woman for her unaided Efforts
Nine. Curie's medal was received for
work done in collaboration with M
Curie-but there is touch Of revenge
in her present success. For four
years she was refused the election to
a fellowship solely becau she was
married.
The whole Of Mrs. Ayrton's investi-
cations and researches with regard to
the electric arc she gathered into a
volume. which. was published in 1902.
She is, as is well known. the only
woman member of the Institute Of
Electrical Engineers. But the Hughes
medal OF the Royal society has been
awarded her not only for these re-
searches. but for experimental investi-
6AfANno Va nuAAA AAHpACos
Il happened to be at Margate with
my husband" explained Mrs. Ayrton,
and there first became interested in
the sand ripples and tried to find out
how they were caused, partly by OBJ.
servation. but much more BY expert.
ment. You see, it is impossible tc
make the sea do exactly what you
want; and. further. In observing rip
pies on the shore one must look down
on them, and 1t is essential In watch
ing such processes to see them in pro-
file. So | Lad proper glass troughs
made, and I found out exactly how
ripples we're caused.
You see. sand ripples may seem at
first a small subject. but any explana
ton involves all the principles under
lying the motion Of water and Of
bodies oscillating in the water. I am
still engaged in these researches. and
am occupied with two papers dealing
with two different parts Of the sub
ject.
"One's aim in scientific research Of
this character said Mrs. Ayrton, IN
answer to an inquiry as to this aspect
Of her work, IS to find out what IN
derlies certain phenomena, but fee
sure that in the end 1t viii be OF prac
tical use In dealing with coast erosion
or quicksands. At present our knowl
edge Of the motion Of water Is slight
made the suggestion--and I still be
lieve II to be true-that the Goodwin
sands are really huge ripples. Their,
is a Anrrow spit Of land near the Good
wins, and It seems possible that II thI
conhguration Of the shore could b'
altered and the trend Of the waite
changed the Goodwins might disap
pears
On the interesting character o
scientific research Mrs. Ayrton wa
enthusiastic.
"There IS nothing 30 fasClHsGing. 81
absorbing" she said. You think ant
think about certain phenomena til
you think out a possible solution, ant
then you experiment to see if it is col
rect; and as you experiment you
attention is drawn to fresh phenomeni
and experiments must be startel
afresh to account for these in turn
eAnd I believe. remarked Mrs
Ayrton, that women are really wei
adapted for this work. They oftel
have leisure; they have a great habi
Of putting two and two together me-
deny that. but it is true-and the,
have quite as good powers Of observa
ton as men, and great patience. 70
scientific research you must have il
tuition, kind OF train imagination
that leads you to form a theory .abou
what You see, from which you can es
pertinent, and think women hav
that intuitive nower; the power, as
were. Of spreading ont facts in theI
minds and drawing the threads L
gether. and coming to 4 Logical conclt
sion. That Is very different" cor
cluded Mrs. Ayrtons with a amil.
from being able to lay out these COZ
Meeting threads for some one else !
eoa