The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1911-08-26

. ''""' N"t W Ohc ullNluS power OF the
fan, forces the current across the ice.
thereby cooling it, and then on into
the service pipe, whence it is discharg.
ed into the room to be cooled
There is one point i'm Prof. Bells
cooling system upon which he laws
great stress said Mr.. Fairchild in
explaining the operation of the ice
stove. 1T is that the flooring of the
room which is to be cooled and the
walls for several feet up must be near
ly air-tight as possible in order to get
the best results. 1t is well known that
cold air is much heavier than hot.
Hence when cold air is introduced into
a room it sinks through the lighter
warm air and spreads itself along
the floor, much as water would do.
Now, if the lower half of the air is cold
ard there are many cracks and other
apertures whence air may escape it
is clear that the cold air will flow
rapidly away, just as water would
Hence it is necessary in the economi-
cal use of the ice stove to keep this
cold air from escaping"
But would not the air thus confined
become Initiated by persons living in
it?" Mr. Fairchild was asked.
BY no MEANS" he replied. THE con.
slant supply of fresh air forced in by
the fan will always keep the air of the
room sweet and pure. The movement
.Uf the air caused by this influx of fresh
air will always provide sufficient ven
tilation."
when Prof. Bell came to make his
first experiment with his ice stove,
continued Mr. Fairchild, "he found a
room with an air-tight floor and walls
ready to his hand In his house is a
large swimming pool with walls of
glazed thing. This pool he converted
into a room, furnished thus in a cita-
del, as it WERE against which the
fieriest day was impotent."
It is said that Prof. Bell does not in
tend to patent this latest product of
his brain, but will give the use of it to
the public. Owing to his recent de
parture for Nova Scotia, however, this
could not be authoritively ascertained.
That such is his benefcent intention,
though, is shown by the fact that he
planned to give public lecture upon
the ice stove just before his departure
but was prevented by circumstances. 1t
it worthy of note that in constructing
this cooling system he did not find
it necessary to depart in any material
point from the design as he first con-
Ceived it, showing how his practical
Scotch judgment is in nowise behind
his creative genius.
while there are minor imperfec-
tons in the system" said Mr.. Fair
child, the theory is entirely correct.
These imperfections will, of course, bo
remedied as they become manifest"
The novel point in this new device is
rot that it cools air, or that it does so
for the benefit of breathing mortals,
but that here is something that can
he constructed by any mechanic and
operated wherever there is electric
power, or, indeed, any sort of motive
energy sufficient to operate a small
fan. 1t thus makes air cooling for the
summer something within reach of al
most every household. The cost of
power is small and the amount of ice
used can be regulated by the speed Of
the fan. To those who cannot afford
an elaborate chemical cooling plant or
are not so fortunately situated as is
Z. C. Northcutt of Luray, Va, whose
house, built just over the great caverns
there, is supplied by a current he has
conducted thence through his dwelling,
Prof Bells invention offers a most
welcome relief from tie tortures of the
hot spell.
One need not go to the expense of
buying a new iceboX, but may, as Prof.
Bell did, convert an old one into an
ice stove, Nor is one confronted with
the dangers that always accompany
and carbon-doixide and such
other uncouth chemicals now used in
the making of cold air. Perhaps, as
has been suggested, even such motive /
power for the fan as electricity or
other like forces may be dispensed
with and the necessary breeze furnish
ed by the humble house dog in tread
mill.
1t seems not very far in the future,
hen, before we shall hear the lady of
be house calling down stairs to her
spouse, who is putting out the cat:
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