ELECTRIC LIGHT.

Clutha Leader, Volume IV, Issue 207, 28 June 1878, Page 3

ELECTRIC LIGHT.

In England estimates have been made of the comparative cost of gas and the electric light, and estimating the cost of gas at two shillings per 1000 feet, the electric light is found tc be cheaper than gas in the ratio of 21 to 1. That is, a light which with gas cost L3BO ss, was obtained from electricity for LlB. In America equally rapid strides have been made in utilising the electric light. To show what is being done, we copy from the Philadelphia Press : —

Mr I. B. Fuller, of Brooklyn, New York, has made practicable the use of the electric light for illuminating streets, and public buildings. The machine of Fuller generates electricity by induction, by means of armatures, surrounded with coils of wire, which are made to move rapidly past powerful magnets. The currents produced are steady and constant, and the machine has been used successfully with the telegraph. An electric lamp of simple construction has also been patented by Mr Fuller, which costs less than 3 dols when completed. No clockwork machinery is employed to keep the carbon points in position, and the lamp will burn for hours without being touched. The effect of this invention is to lessen somewhat the intensity of the light, and to increase its volume. The light is softer, but not less brilliant and powerful. Mr Fuller has also ready for patenting an invention by which the electric current carried over a single wire can be divided into a large number of independent branches, each capable of supplying lamps of different power. For several months past the machine works of the Brady Manufacturing Company in Brooklyn have been ligjited with electric lamps, all supplied

by a current passing through a single wire. Mr Fuller estimates that one of his machines capable of producing over a huudred lights of one hundred candlepower each, which may be placed in a circle ot a mile from the machine, can be operated at an ■ expense of thirty pounds of coal an hour to maintain steam power.

Pittsburg has been invited to dispense with gas lamps and use a few lighthouses in their place. George iVlagg has submitted to the Committee on Gas Lighting a proposition for erecting thre9 lighthouses, one on Nunnery Hill, one on Coal Hill, and one on Heron Hill, from which shall be emitted such a flood of light that anywhere in Pittsburg or Alleghany a pin could be seen lying on the pavement in the darkest night. The lights will be so located that a perfect crossing of the beams will be effected, and every light will neutralise the shadows of tho others. The lanterns are to be of such elevation that they will overlook the surrounding hills. Bach of them will be provided with four lights and four concave reflectors from six to eight feet wide, and from ten to twelve feet high, The reflectors are to be made of copper, heavily plaited with silver. Mr Magg's corporation will build and equip the the lighthouses, guarantee the keepers' salaries, and pay all the expenses for seventeen years without cost to the city. What is required of the city is this : All the lamp-posts are to be handed over for the use of the company, to be fitted up as advertising mediums by means of revolving caskets, aod tha income to be derived therefrom to go into the pockets of the speculators.