Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-08-30
Edison's New Battery Proves
Efficient, But Inventor De-
mands Further Tests.
WIZARD WOULD TAKE AIR
DIRECT FROM THE WAVES
Believes He Can Build Fish Gill;
Mechanism That Will Supercede
Boats Compressors.

NEW YORK. August 30.-R ajocing
over the confidence expressed by naval
officers that his new storage batteries
would make United States submarines
the most efficient in the world, Thomas
A. Edison nevertheless has expressed
the wish that final judgment be with
held pending the outcome of practical
tests in the L. S. S. e.
AS a result of tests in a laboratory
apparatus Stimulating the rocking ac-
ton of boat at the New York navy
yard the technical officers there have
expressed the conviction that the dan
ger from the deadly chlorine gas peril.
which now prevails in submarines. will
be obviated.
They also believe that on account of
the superior compactness and lightness
of the new battery, combined with
greater CAPACITY, it will be possible to
increase materially the undersea cruis-
ing range of Uncle Sans submarines.
In addition to this, they look for great
er speed. counting on an all-round in-
crease of 40 per cent in the Strateglcal
efficiency of the boats.
Wants Actual Service Test.
"Of course, that is very good news"
Mr. Edison said when he was told of
the naval experts enthusiasm over his
battery. after thirteen months labora-
tory tests: but let no judgment be
passed until the battery has actually
been placed and used on a submarine.
Then if it proves successful and adds
to the healthfulness' of our crews be-
low the sea and is an asset to the navy
my work on it shall not have been in
vain'
The first intimation to the public
that Edison had turned his genius to
solving the problem of submarine
navigation came at a visit he made
with Secretary Daniels of the navy to
the New York navy yard several months
ago. The battery tests were then in
progress.
Fish Gill Plan for Air.
At that time Mr.. Edison made an even
more startling prediction. He said that
to his mind there was no reason why
the undersea boats should not be sup
piled with a sh-gill-like apparatus, so
that they could draw their supply of
air directly from the water, instead of
the lives of their crews being depend
ent upon the compressed air supply or
on the ability of the boat to reach the
surface.
If this was perfected. he pointed out,
the danger of submarine navigation
would be reduced to a minimum. There
have been reports since that time that
he was making progress on such de-
vice. but no definite announcement has
been made yet.
Made $1,000 Experiments.
Not until now has the complete his
tory of the new storage battery be-
come known. In 1910 Lieuts. Fred V.
McNair. T. G. Ellyson. LIE Petit Warren
and Alfred H. Miles visited Mr.. Edison
at his laboratory and asked him to con-
centrate his efforts on the invention Of
a storage battery containing chemicals
that would not attack fastenings in
submarines and which when reached by
salt water would not generate chlorine
gas or other dangerous fumes.
The officers pointed out the needs OF
the navy, which had been handicapped
because submarines had to lay up for a
period annually to have the lead batteries
overhauled. :. For four years Mr.. Edison
worked ceaselessly, conducting no less
than $1,000 experiments, at a cost of al
most $3,000:000. and at last perfectinS
the submarine battery for which he has
already received three gold medals
Because of the nature of the construc-
TO an angle of 60 degrees. whereas they
have formerly only been able to dive at
an angle of about Is degrees.
Tests Most Severe.
Not satisfied with the tests he had con-
Quoted at his laboratory with the inven-
ton. MIR. Edison insisted on having it
taken to the navy yard carly in July,
1914, and subjected to the most drastic
tests known to naval experts. The bat
terry was put on a rolling and pitching
platform and charged and recharged $50
times while the platform was in motion.
This was to determine whether the battery
would stand up in use in a submarine
travelling in a continuous seaway.
Not only has the capacity after thirteen
test proved to be what Mr.. Edi-
son told Secretary Daniels it would be,
but it has been found to be that, plus -
per cent. The test to which the battery
was subjected is. i: is figured. equivalent
to ten years service in submarine which
is charged only about once week.
1t is generally believed at the Edison
that the investigation into
the cause of the catastrophe to the FL
in Honolulu harbor will show it was
caused by an explosion due to the igni-