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This short article about electric light was published in a magazine
in 1875. It is an especially informative little piece that goes straight
to the point and might hit the modern reader with a surprise or two. Did
you know that electric light was being used in a lighthouse tower on the
coast of England in 1862? —fadedpages.com
ELECTRIC LIGHT.
1875
Electric Light.
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The electric light is eminently the child of the century. In its
production and its uses it touches nowhere upon the knowledge or
the methods of the men of the previous periods. It is a pure gain
of the present. The bright spark from the electrical machine had
been observed by Wall in 1708, the Leyden-jar was invented by
Cunśus in 1746, and the experiments of Dufay, Nollet, Gray,
Franklin, and others soon gave valuable results. Another whole
series of observations and inventions founded upon the discoveries
of Volta and Galvani was necessary before the transient spark was
succeeded by the intense and unremitting light developed between
two pieces of carbon placed at the positive and negative ends of a
voltaic circuit. The electricity may be developed either by a
battery, or from magnets in connection with a series of helices
arranged on a rotating wheel, the latter source being preferred
for light-houses and in other situations where permanency is
intended. The battery is the usual source for lectures in theatres
having no regular laboratory.
The electric light was first brought into notice by Greener
and Staite in 1846, in an arrangement by which small lumps of pure
carbon nearly in contact, and inclosed in airtight vessels, were
rendered luminous by currents of galvanic electricity. The break
in the continuity of the circuit at this point causes resistance,
generating intense heat and the consumption of the carbon, which
is accompanied by an extremely brilliant light. As the carbon
burns away, one or both of the pieces require to be advanced, and
the chief difficulty was found to be in maintaining the points at
such a distance from each other as to render the light continuous.
This is now effected by means of an electro-magnet and clock
movement, the duty of the latter being to bring the points
together as they are gradually consumed, while the magnet checks
the clock action when not desired.
This light is very largely used in the lecture-room. It was
introduced into Dungeness Light-house, on the southeast coast of
England, in 1862; at La Hève, France, a year or two later. It
was used in the excavating chamber in the base of the deep
caissons of the St. Louis Bridge; during the excavation of the
docks at Cherbourg; on various festal occasions in cities of
America and Europe.
Warning - This information has been transcribed
from a source that is well over 100 years old. It may be incorrect or
outdated in some cases. It is also possible that errors were made
during the transcription process. This information is being made
available for entertainment purposes only.
This HTML version of this very old article is the work of Bob Selfinger,
and any graphic creation or enhancement is the work of Bob Selfinger.
Copyright ©2003 Bob Selfinger. All Rights Reserved.
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