Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1908-04-17
THE HOUSE THAT KNAPP BUILT
AFTER All Well Probably Doff Our
Chapeau to the French,

AFTER All Well Probably Doff ou
Chapeau to the French.
Ii was thought that American claim
to the wonders performed by that mys
terious agent. electricity, reached tn,
limit, but just read what our volatil.
neighbors over the sea claim to hav,
evolved.
The French gossips of the cafes anf
boulevards Of Paris. according to thu
Techntcdl World Magazine, are Jus
now busy discussing the "wonde,
mousse that Mr.. KNAPP has built fo
himself and family at Troyes. M
knap is an electrical engineer of note
his new home is called Villa Feri;
Electra, and electricity produces thu
marvels that have caused "goggle-eyed
astonishment" in his friends.
These marvels range from the fan
tastic to the severely useful. Here are
some good examples of the fantastic:
The villa stands in a park, which is
surrounded by wall. A voice, coming
apparently from nowhere, asks his
name and purpose. Instinctively the
caller answers, whereupon the voice re-
plies that M. KNAPP is at home and
will be pleased to see him. The gate
swings open.
AS the visitor goes along the curvey
walk that leads through the park, the
voice follows him, bidding him well
come. calling his attention to notice
able flowers and shrubs, and answering
any remarks made by him. AS he
mounts the steps carpet-shaped brush
removes the dust from his shoes. The
door opens and the voice directs him
to seat and assures him that his host
will come in a moment.
Midway between the fantastic and
the practical-or. rather, a combina-
tion Of both-are the mysteries of the
dinner table. The decorations of the
table are electrical and change with
the courses. No servants enter the
room, and the viands apparently rise
and disappear through the solid ma
hogany. For example, a great silver
soup tureen makes its appearance in
the center of the table and moves slow
ly around the table, stopping just at
the left hand Of each guest, that he
may serve himself. When all have
helped themselves the tureen disap-
pears.
The severely practical is seen to ad-
vantage In the kitchen, where every
thing is electrical. For example, to
roast q chicken the cook puts the fowl
In receptacle Of glass and metal.
turns on a switch. and sets an attached
clock. When the chicken is roasted
the current is turned OF automatically
and bell is rung. Electricity operates
a number of handy little things, such
as meat chopper. coffee mill, knife
cleaner. and cream whipper.
Electricity also washes and wipes
the dishes; washes and irons the
clothes; warns, lights, and stimplates
= fine collection Of flowers and plants
in a large inclosed winter garden, and
lights, warns and ventilates the whole
house. 1t also keeps the house and
its furnishing clean by the vacuum
process, and broom and dust cloth are
never used.
In the hosts own bedroom are some
particularly handy marvels. When he
wakes he can turn a switch and in a
very few minutes have coffee and toast
ready to his hand. There is not tele-
phone visible in the house, yet M.
KNAPP may lie in bed and talk with any
one in the house or even in the stable
and garage. and without raising his
voice above conversational tone.
Such dwelling-house as this French
electrical engineer has constructed is a
tremendously important thing. Doubt
less he added the fantastic features for
his own amusement, but the practical
things have a very close relation to
life.
II we could all live in such houses
the servant problem would be greatly
simplied. since it is obvious that one
can do the work of many.
Undoubtedly such houses would pro-
mote health and prolong life, since the
temperature and ventilation are auto
matically regulated and there is al
most complete absence of dirt and dust
and the noxious germs that accompany
them.
Let us hope that in the Villa Feria
Electra there is a prophecy Of the fu-
ture. For M. KNAPP states that all the
marvels Of his home are accomplished
with a comparatively simple installa-
tion Of electricity; that all the more
desirable features are readily available
to any enterprising householder. and
that the expense Is not much greater
than that of conducting household in
the time honored and unscientific
way"