Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-11-27

LANCASTER, Pa, Nov. 27.-The light
Ing of his pipe at a gas jet gave Or. d.
Galen McCaa, of this city, the key to his
phone transmtter, which several months
ago had a satisfactory test in New York
harbor At that time the newspapers were
filled With accounts of an experiment sue
cessfully carried out by means Of which
the human voice, uttered in building In
the heart of Manhattan, was carried to
listening ears on ship several miles off
shore, and conversation was maintained
through the agency OF the device which
this Lancaster physician since has been
developing. He Is now at work along
lines which promise to establish his in
venticn as one of the most remarkable
additions to scientific achievement that
has followed the original discovery OF the
powers of radio-activity.
Just how he hit upon his invention,
which has caused a profound stir in the
scientific world. was described few
days ago by Dr. McCaa, who is a young
man, in an address before the Young Busi-
ness Mems Club of this city at the Cham
ber of Commerce.
LIGHTING OF PIPE GIVES KEY.
zone night several years ago when in
the laboratory" he said desiring to
light my pipe 1 went to the gas light
and pulling the electric lighter L was
somewhat surprised when heard click
on the other side of the room. Investi-
eating closer 1 soon discovered that
spark gap had been created with CO.
herer receiver on the other side of the
room with which 1 had been experiment
ing"
This aroused the Doctors curiosity and
led him to n series of experiments, with
the result that he was soon able, with
out the use of wires, to transmit sound,
but not words or speech. Eager to dis
cover the reason for this. he was led to
the study of sound, and learned from
that branch Of physics that n continuous
wave vibration was necessary to carry
spoken language. Thus, he finally con-
celved the idea of the invention of his
transmltter. which has been successfully
demonstrated practical and applicable to
the wireless telegraph systems without
interference with the regular service
carried on over the telegraph lnstru-
ments.
MAY TALK TO GERMANY.
While the present distance at which the
human voice may be heard is $50 miles,
Doctor McCaa said 1t would be possible
to talk to Germany II the receiving an
tennae were raised to a larger height
than at present and current be kept
constant between the two points.
The . So OF the wireless telephone in
congested districts would be an impossi
bility. said Doctor McCaa, but 1t would
be a great benefit TO inaccessible places
along seacoasts, In lumber camps and
plantations. 1t also would be of great
benefit TO small seagoing vessels who
are now without the use of wireless tel
egraphy due to the large cost of carry
ing an operator.
The same instrument that is used in
radio telegraphy is used in radio teleph-
ony through the genius of Doctor McCaa.
The system and the nature of his trans
mitter are jealousy guarded as a secret
by its inventor. Recently work was be-
gun on a station several miles out OF
town, where the inventor hopes to be
able TO carry on his work with greater
facility and with even more satisfactory
results.