The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1907-10-18
EklNgSCienCe D
& ESs4i1ventiOn
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1
Sodium is an excellent conductor Of
electricity, and In view Of the increas-
ing price Of copper and the growing de-
mand for that metal not only for elec-
tric installations, but for many other
purposes, the idea has been broached
that sodium should be tried as a ma
terial for electric cables. Experiments
looking to this end have lately been
made by A. G. Bett He filed an iron
tube 100 feet In length with melted So
dunn. The core thus formed had a
cross-sectlon Of an inch and half. A
current of 800 ampheres was ready
transmitted through it. Mr. Bett thinks
that sodium conductors constructed
upon this plan may be made cheaper
than conductors Of copper
A satisfactory rubberless tire has
been evolved. The scheme consists of
filling a thin inner tire with hot So
lution of glue, glycerine and chronic
salts as the tire reposes in place on the
rim of the wheel. This is allowed to
harden for few days when the tire
Is covered with canvas or some similar
material which will withstand the
wear and tear of service. 1t is claimed
for this rubber substitute that 1t Is
very durable and will carry heavy loads
without deterioration or loss of resili-
ency. 1t Is much cheaper than rubber
and the only criticism raised against
1t Is that it is heavy. Each wheel
equipped in this manner adds 40 to 30
pounds to the weight Of the vehicle.
The advantages will outweigh this OBJ
lection, 1t Is said.
A German official of standing in the
superior grades-Herr Martin, gov
ernment eouncillor-has attracted a
good deal of at least ephemeral notice
by new theory of aerostatics in war,
which he has just published. For nov-
city the views of Herr Martin could
hardly be surpassed. The title of his
work Is "The Age Of Aerial Naviga-
tion," which Is, of course, the twentieth
century. Herr Martin contends that
during the century now opening aero
statlcs and automobillsm will assume
immense Importance In strategy, and
Will go far to neutralize in favor of
France the great numerical preponder-
ance given to Germany by her larger
population. Into the day dreams Of
Herr Martin, which Include partition
of Belgium and the Germanizing Of
Morocco, 1t Is not needful to enter. But
ne foresees that France and Germany
will agree rather than fight.
In 1908 the known number of aste-
roids, or minor planets, had reached
603, and still the discovery Of these
miniature worlds continues, especially
with the aid afforded by celestial pho
Biography. Among a vast multitude Of
stars crowding a Photographic plate
one, perhaps, will be seen to have
drawn short thin line upon the plate
during Its hours Of continuous expo
sure. The astronomer knows at once
that 1t Is either an asteroid or comet.
Subsequent observations soon decide
the point. Only the more interesting
ones are afterward observed with at
tention; but once discovered they can
not be ignored, and the rapid growth
Of the flock becomes an embarrassment.
Eros, which at times approaches the
earth nearer than any other regular
member Of the solar system except the
moon, and Asteroid No. 5SS, which at
aphelion Is more distant than Jupiter,
remain, as far as their orbits are con-
cerned, the most interesting members
Of the entire group, and are kept un-
der constant observation whenever cir
permit.