Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-22
ARTIFICIAL ILLUMINATION

.
I illumination. This has not only beef
OF great value in safety and conve
nience in trains. boats. factories
streets. stores. theaters and churches
but Il is a distinct benefit in conserv
ing the eyesight of the human race
The development of the tungsten LAM
is probably the most marked improve
ment in artificial illumination that ha,
recently been made. for IL not only in
creases the light capacity but decreas
es the cost OF consumption. Mos
electric companies will. on request
furnish tungsten lamps free to con
sumers. just as they have heretofore
supplied the now old fashioned car
bon filament lamps. AS an illustra
ton OF the superiority of the tungsten
lamp over all other lamps. it may be
said that the United States govern
ment has issued an order that all car
bon flament lamps shall be abandoned
in its buildings and that 25-watt lungs
ten lamps shall be substituted in theii
places.
One of the best lights for illuminat
ing such places as railroad sheds, foun
dries and blacksmith shops is what is
known as the ''faming-arc lamp II
has been improved so that the fumes
OF the arc are condensed and do not
escape into the air nor become depos-
ited on the globe. 1t is a cheap lamp
to maintain as one set of carbons will
burn from 100 to 120 hours without
attention.
The proper natural and artificial
lighting of school rooms has a most
marked effect on the health of the
schoolchildren. One interesting fact
disclosed by these investigations is
that girls eyes are usually worse than
boys eyes. This IS accounted for by
the. fact that girl are taught to sew
early in life and oftentimes with in
sufficient illumination. Sewing les
sons should not be given to little girls
before years of age; good light
should always be assured: and dis
elimination shall be shown between
girls having good eyes and those hav-
ing poor eyes.
On account OF the effect on chill
dren's eyes, the size and style OF types.
the quality and color of paper. the H.
the angle and the position
blackboards and chalk should always
be taken into consideration in select
ing school books and school supplies.
Black type on a yellow background is
the most legible OF all combinations,
for distance. while black
type on a white background comes
sixth in order. out OF Is specimens.
The work OF the railway clerk is one
Of the most trying occupations on the
eye. The United States postoffice de-
partment has recently taken up the
matter and is preparing to equip all
our postoffice cars with the best
and least Injurious methods of illumi-
nation. Several of our state govern
ments are taking active steps to reg
1late the lighting OF cars and the
headlights of locomotives and automo-
Diles. The binding result OF excessive
" powerful lights on locomotives and
is well known. While
such machines should be abundantly
lighted. to insure safety to all con-
,erned, excessive illumination should
De condemned and forbidden.
The indirect lighting of theaters,
restaurants and cars has
Produced a revolution in interior flu
nination. This method Is most rest
ul to the eyes. and when sufficiently
.bundant. is an ideal method for the
lighting OF Interiors.
Street lights should be protected by
,lazed or apaque globes. When prop
rly installed and placed. such light
ng Is sufficient and is much easier on
he eyes than the old unprotected
lyle OF lights. The glazed or opaque
lobe seems TO be coming into general
sc and its use should be encouraged, !
OF only IN public places. but in houses |
= well. Clear globes or lamps should !
ever be used: they are very trying |
n the eyes. The nearer artificial light |
~ can approach daylight. the more
early perfection is reached.
In Germany they are experimenting |
18th marble globes instead OF glass
lobes. The marble is planned down
III It is thin and translucent and the
ght produced IL almost the exact
OF daylight. One investi.
ator has shown that q screen coated
18th an aluminium powder. placed IN
ront of a light. will produce an illu-
iination exactly like daylight by
leans of which even colors can be
ldged with perfect accuracy. The
ay may not be far distant when ar
fetal Illumination will become a per-
sct substitute for daylight. In Hol-
nd women and children are forbidd-
4 10 work in factories or workshops
here artificial lighting is necessary
efore o'clock in the morning and
tier o'clock in the afternoon. These
lestions are being discussed in Eng
nd. France. Holland. Austria and
ermany. In this country. New York
Id Wisconsin have taken up this
lestion. and IL is to be hoped II will
on receive serious official considera-