The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-11-21

has been gathered from all parts OF
the world and transmitted by the
electric telegraph; he rides on car
in which all three forms or energy
are utilized-power. heat. and light;
he ascends TO his office In an electric
elevator; calls his stenographer by AN
electric button. talks 10 his clients
over an electric telephone; sets his
watch by an electrically-operated time
ball; watches the stock market at an
electric ticker; AMI in innumerabls
other ways makes use OF the subtle
fluid about which man knows so much
and yet so little.
While many important electrical dts-
coveries were made prior TO his time.
II remained for an American, Benja'
min Franklin, first to harness the
thunder-bolt for the uses OF men.
When he stood In his little shed and
sent his kite up into the clouds TO
catch a portion of lightning dis
charge, man was to hnd out for the
nrst time IN history, that the light
ming OF the heavens and the electric
ity OF the earth are one and the same
thing HIS lightning rods were the
nrst inventions looking TO practical
use OF mans knowledge concerning
things electric. Later Joseph Henry.
another American, made experiments
which ultimately led TO the invention
OF the telegraph. the telephone, and
the dynamo.
Although the scientists Of all civil
izations were at work for years try
ing to discover means OF hitchins
electric current 10 the machinery and
vehicles OF the world, II remained for
4 careless workman TO make the ois-
covery which has led To the perfec-
ton OF the electric motor and It's use
In transportation and manufacture In
1878. Gramme. the inventor OF the dyn-
amo, was exhibiting some OF his ma
chimes at an exposition In Vienna
While connecting tho wires between
| the various dynamos, a workman, py
mistake, attached them contrary 10
! instructions. Much TO his surprise,
when the connection was completed.
one DYNAMO began TO revolye In an
opposite direction 10 the other he
| reported this interesting discovery 10
Gramme and II soon was realized tnat
his mistake had laid bare the secret
Of the electric motor. Since tnat tine
American as well az European lnVeh-
tors have applied the principles ais
covered by carelessness 10 almost
every conceivable line OF industry ana
they declare that the end Ia no nearer
than when they began
Electricity was first appned 10
TRANSFORMATION In the United States'
From the early eighties down TO the
nresent time, the United States hes
ied the whole world In the widespread
adantation OF electricity as motive
mower Il is said that America now
has more electrically-operate cars
and trains than all the rest or the
world together, and that X they were
placed end to end they would make
eatring OF cars reaching nearly ohe-
third Of the way across the continent
The world ordinarily thinks OF cIec-
tricitv as a prime mover. but this Is
tor rom the truth II Is only me-
dunn for the transmission OF power
Inst as A belt transfers power from
one shaft TO another, so eleclrlclIy
transfers It from one point to announcer
There must be some other force nseO
In its generation, and more power 10 70
required in making electricity tnan u
yields 10 the motor which IL drives
finder ideal conditions and the maxi
mum load there Is a loss OF at ieast
( ner cent OF power In the dynamo
generating the electricity. Tnen
there IS another loss OF per cent IN
the transmission OF the current lrom
the dynamo to the point wnere II 10
IN no used. A similar loss taxes piace
I'm the motor which transforns tns
current into power again. lnus :.
will be seen that at least 10 per cch'
OF the power used In making s,ec'
tricity is lost In Its ultimate appice.
tion When Il Is remembered tnat
The hest steam plant utilities only 10
ner cent O, the power OF the coal, ana
that only SIS per cent OF this power j.. Is
utilized in electrical practice, II VIII
he seen how small proportion OF lhe
Goals energy Is used.
Many scientists have concluded tnat
aome method can be devised TO sst
electricity direct from the coal. IDey
halieve n all the steps from the tut
mace 10 the electric motor could DC
eliminated. such a great percent vi the
latent energy OF the coal couiu Do
,,II,zed that the entire fuel question
OF the world would be revolutionlzeu'
They have already succeeded IN 'ne
laboratory in securing electricity Oh
rectly from the coal, but as yet nave
dome so in a way that makes II avail
able for the shop. II is one OF tnose
things which is scientifically possible
hit not commercially practicable. !,
ia said that Thomas A. Edison Is a,
work trying TO solve this problem, ano
,ho, he believes a successful solution
oSDJt would be fitting climax TO hia
career as an inventor.
When Mr.. Edison perfected his IN
candescent electric lamp, he paved
the way for thousands OF inventions i,i
In the use OF electricity as an iiluln
inant Art and science both are ienu
Inc themselves to the efforts OF tne
eliminating engineer. Many or thS
,nvontors of electric-lighting appar
aius and appliances believe tha'
greater strides are to be made In Ihe
sn,nre than have been made In inc
last The ultimate goal to whicr
sucb inventors are aiming. Is that o.
lighting without heat. Under present
dav conditions the electric light plant
| a. ,,ttiI,a loss than DER CEN