THE DIAPHOTE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 183, 3 August 1880, Page 4

THE DIAPHOTE.

In these days it seems almost impossible to invent anything, for as soon a-a a novelty appears some half-dozen antiquarians or men of science immediately rush into print to prove that the socalled novelty is hut the revival, or at best, the adaptation, of an old idea. Such is tbe fate of the diaphote, an ingenious instrument invented by Pr. H. Jechs, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The diaphote, if 'it succeeds, ia indeed, tbe greatest marvel of the age. That, by uaesns of electricity, we ehould be {.ble fo transmit raeesages, and it finite and articulate sounds to considerable distances is wonderful enough, but thai by tbe same agency we should be able to show a person an object a thousand miles distant, strains the faith of non-scientific people to the utmost. Yet we are assured that tbe powers of the diaphote wero successfully tested very recently before a lcrge audience at Reading, in tbe United States. At ouo cud pf tbe wire was placed a mirror composed of selenium and iodide of silver, and at tbe oiher end a second mirror composed of selenium, and chromium. Each mirror is built up of little plates, and the ccrrespouding couples are connected by separate wires. At the trial at Reading, the receiving mirror was taken down to a room below the lecture hall, and various objects, such as a watcb, the part of a printed handbill, and the head of a live kitten were shown by. telegraph to the audience. It is stated that tbis is no new invention, and that similar experiments to those which tock place at Reading, were made Isst year in the South of France. Be thafc as it may, Dr Jechs deserves great credit for either working out and perfecting the idea, or for having simultnceously with other men of science hit upon tbe same discovery. Tho question is, will the diaphote be of any practical use, prove to be more than a scientific toy ? If suitable wires were laid ou all telegraph lines, we can imagino that the diaphote might be used to advantage by the police when its men wished promptly to identify a witness cr suspected criminal. As a private luxury, too, it would be very valuable. A husband or lover could gratify himself, though thousands of miles off, with frequent, sights of his beloved's face. . In tnapy ways, indeed, would the diaphote be a private luxury, but there is the question of expense, and tbe cost of special wires will, we fat cy, prevent, the gene.ral introduction of this ingenious apparatus. Jt ia to bo hoped tbat its costliness will not long remain an insuperable objection to tbe use of the diapho'9. JLven as it is, we can imagine instances io wbich lhe very rich might be tempted to invoke its aid. A millionaire, anxious as to the welfare o? a beloved though prodigal son, would not etop to count tite cost

could he by diaphotic means conjure up that son's face before' bim, cud assure himself of fcis veil-being afc the antipodes. Thero might be cases, too, in which -Ibe sudden pto..uctioa of a fnr distnct f&ce might strengthen the hand of justice or confound .he guilty in the course of an important trial, whilst lovers of ihe more passionate kind would doubtle.s give tbeir all to bring the living faces of their mistroßaes before '.hem. ». will. But such expensive experiments must necesearily be rare, end for anything like a geueral application of the diaphote, we -muet wait uniil faces end places can be transmitted r»t a let *iff .iot far exceeding that ior which intelligence concerning tbem is now sent. Then, indeed, we can foresee a great run on the diaphote. Eoterpridiug newspapers will be haviog living photographs of battles dtapbotod home simultaneously with their eorrespondeni'sdescriptionsof thefighls, Not a scene of importance will be allowed to pass untracßmitted to tbe principal centres of civilisation by the agencies which will cert.ainly be established. Coming down to more private pleasures, what family that can afford it wili remain content with a letter or telegram from on absent boo or father, when his face can be literally made to smile upon tbe home circle over lands and seas ? In business matter?, too, the diaphote should then prove invaluable* Insurance directors will have the faces of doubtful would-be insurers sent up from the country before accepting their premiums; aud payments of passions and divideuds to dead msn will become well-nigh imposaible if diaphotic proof of life be insisted on. By combining the telephone and diaphote together out-voters will be able to vote at ecutested elections without wasting time in travelling to the polling-booths. Fagot voters especially will be glad to avail themselves of the protection from assault tho combination will afford wben completed. Io short, there can be no doubt as to the immense success of the diaphote if the question of expense is satisfactorily settled. The Railway and Steamboat Companies and tho tourist agencies will doubtless wish such a consummation far distant, but the general public will eagerly expect it. So the best thing Dr Jechs Rnd English scientists who have forestalled him can do, is to see how scon they can change what is at present a costly scientific toy into a practical end paying aparatus. — Home Exchange. LU^B^KfmmO!}ia<^^tst>-m-Lamr%^ :! r^t^mrapz^ rja