Popular Scientific Recreations: in Natural Philosphy, Astronomy, Geology, Chemistry, etc., etc., etc.Tissandier, Gaston
Science
Popular Scientific Recreations: in Natural Philosphy, Astronomy, Geology, Chemistry, etc., etc., etc.
Tissandier, Gaston
Scientific recreations
In the first illustration (fig. 267), A and B are the positive and
negative carbon-holders respectively, and the carbon points are
controlled by an armature, which is, in its turn, adjusted by the
screw, D. When it happens that the magnetic force is reduced
the spring acts and permits the points to approach again, and the light
is rekindled; the carbons are then locked till required to move. The
second illustration (fig. 268) shows a section of the lamp with the
wheel arrangements for controlling the advance of the carbon points as
they waste away.
[Illustration: Fig. 269.—Wallace lamp]
[Illustration: Fig. 270.—Houston lamp.]
In the “Brush” light, which is in use in London, and is fitted for
large spaces, the carbon points are held by a regulator side by side,
and they last eight hours without renewal. The power is generated
by an electro-dynamic engine. We give illustrations of the lamps of
Wallace and Houston (figs. 269, 270). The current is conveyed through
_b_ and the magnet, _m_. The armature, _a_, separates the electrodes,
and the weakened current is restored by _b_, and the light continues.
The pillar, _p_, is hollow, with a wire running through it. The
positive electrode is supported by J, the negative by C; V is a button
which comes in contact with the lever, T, when the carbon points are
exhausted, and cuts the lamp out of the circuit by passing it direct
through mercury cups.
The Jablochkoff candle and chandelier are also represented (figs.
271, 272). The candles consist of carbons connected at the top, but
otherwise insulated, and fixed in a socket. They do not last very
long without renewal. The exhibition at the Crystal Palace will be
essentially an Electric Light Exhibition, and all the latest forms can
be studied there. The great attraction will doubtless be, as at Paris,
the varied and numerous inventions of Mr. Edison. The early career of
that American “magician” is now tolerably well known; his tremendous
energy and application are fully appreciated. With only a few months
schooling all his life he has taken a foremost place in the scientific
world. In ten years he has invented the phonograph, the electric pen,
a system of fast telegraphy, the electro-motograph, the telephone,
a tasimeter, and other useful applications of electricity, besides
solving the problem of electric light for domestic purposes.
Mr. Edison’s electric light[18] requires something more than a passing
notice, and we will therefore endeavour to give a sketch of the general
subject. Now that the electric light has been made available for
domestic purposes, and the very simple lamp (consisting of an exhausted
glass globe, two platinum wires, and a piece of charred paper) can be
obtained, people will no doubt soon largely adopt electric lighting
in their houses. The light has found a success at the theatre, in the
streets, and in the train; there is no reason why it should not be
adopted generally, being more economical and more healthy than gas.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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