EDISON'S NEW IDEA.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2431, 21 October 1886, Page 2

EDISON'S NEW IDEA.

In a recent interview with a correspondent of the Philadelphia Times, Thomas Edison, the ellcctrician, referred as follows to ah idea which he has been for some time consideringAs soon its I can find time to go to Florida, I amgoirn; to make some experiments with earthcurrents. I cannot do it here in Now Jersey because there is too much minor.il in the soil. In' Florida it is all sand. There are currents of electricity passing all the time through the oarth; their directions, however are unknown. 1 propose to arrange eight currents, radiating in -as many ••directions from a central point.l will place a man at each circi.it to t-eafc the powor of the ourrents. It is voll known that if an earth eurri lit, crosses a wire at right angles there is but little; if any appreciable effect made upon it. The greater power is felt where the wire and currents

run in parallel directions; ■ln' : 'BostOn^ 1 ' ' have .'run a wire'six'hours. « Aurora borealw without /Biitt^\t'.ft™.'!/ • had had a rod Now York to.Bost'on, 1 would electric. power enougji : on itrto|iiijf alt'.tho uiiiohjiiery in - After-you ' • understand the earth's'currents, what •' thefi?"• Well; a■■ knowledge,oj; l them-. • mayifevolutionise revolutionise the meteorological bureau , system, and make it/\9sible, .to forecast < the weather oxactlmu have: an idea that 1 ;- it may do somethinPJtill greater, ■ -but T do not care to falk' about it at present. Telegraphic wires sooner or later will bo. a thing tif tho past, l.bclieve. They are' expensive and cumbersome'; and why them if you can make an instrument will bo sensitive to tho natural earth currents'/"- '