THE ELECTRIC LIGHT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5538, 27 December 1878, Page 3

THE ELECTRIC LIGHT.

The New York Herald of a recent date says ; “Mr. Edison has successfully divided the electric light, and made it, for illuminating purposes, as far superior to gas as gas is to tbe tallow candle of the past. His marvellous invention gives a mild, soft, yet brilliant light, pleasing tn the eye, clear, steady and without blemish, and at a cost less than one-third required for gas. Those who have seen the Invention pronounce it wonderful. Already a company has been formed, composed of a number of wealthy capitalists, and Mr. Edison’s lawyers are engaged in completing the final arrangements for the legal transfer. Before long, therefore, the work of introduction will begin.” A Herald reporter has learned the system proposed to be adopted after the patents are all granted. First, the Professor will light up all the houses in Menlo Park gratis, and from his laboratory watch the light’s progress from night to night. When all is in readiness for general introduction central stations will probably be established throughout New York city, eaoh station controlling a territory of perhaps a radius of half a mile. In the central stations will be the magnetoelectric generating machines run by engines. Wires will then be run in iron pipes underground after the manner of gas pipes, connecting with dwellings, stores, theatres, and other places to be lighted. The gas fixtures at present used, instead of being removed, will be utilised to incase the wire.. In the place of the burner will be the invention, and meters will be used to register the quantity of electricity consumed. Their form is not yet determined upon. Tbe amount of light can be x’egulated in the same way as can that from gas. To turn off the light the spring is again touched, and instantly all is darkness. No matches being used, and there being no flame, all the dangers incident to the use of gas are obviated. The light gives out no heat. It is simply a pure white light, made dim or brilliant at the fancy of tbe person using it. The announcement of this discovery- has caused an immediate fall in gas stock of from 10 to 25 per cent, all over the United States. Neither is there any abatement in England in the interest excited by new inventions for utilising the electric light, and experiments are to be tried on the Thames Embankment, Waterloo Bridge, and Billingsgate Market. At Sheffield four lights, equal to 8000 standard candles, illuminated an area occupied by 30,000 persons witnessing a football match. Mr. Edison, now resident in London, announces that his new invention will be exhibited directly the patent is secured.