The Phonogram, Vol. 1:11-12 (1891-11)

¥ . raz? PHONOG It A M. 239 tainty one thousand amperes of current through two inches of mud, if necessary. This difficulty was overcome and another arose, as to obtaining a joint between contig- uous rails, such as would permit of the passage of several thousand amperes without intro- ducing undue resistance. Having likewise mastered the latter, an experimental track was built near Mr. Edison’s laboratory, arid the railway is now working to his complete satis- faction. Many objections were raised, many adverse prophecies uttered in connection with the ex- periment; but so far as present experience goes, the success of the system is assured. Its cost is estimated by Mr. Edison to vary between $80,000 and $100,000 per mile of double track, not including cost of stations. It is, of course, only applicable to large cities, but it can be shown that with the traffic afforded by these, the system can he applied with far greater economy than a cable road. The cost of operation of the electric road is also much below that of the cable Another benefit resulting from its adoption would be, that not much tearing up of the streets would be required, and the existing roads could be converted in a short time to the electric system. Estimates are now Imitfg made for convert- ing one of the largest street railways of New York over to the electric system. Progress of Electric Science. Inasmuch as the development of the science of electricity in this century, especially within the last decade, is largely due to American genius and devotion, there seems to be an es- pecial fitness in the projected measure of hold- ing the Electrical Congress during the exist- ence of the Columbian Exposition at Chicago in 1803. The whole world of electric science will then pour its light upon one point, and out of this concentration of intellectual lumi- nosity, it is to be expected that unusual results will ensue. The very suggestion and hope of an Electri cal Congress under such auspices will impel , new efforts and inspire more ardent exertions in the cause. The zeal of the American elec- trical engineers is most commendable, and will bear fruit worthy of its endeavors. The Phonogram has in a previous article mentioned some of the important points de- manding consideration from a body such as this will undoubtedly be; and the matter of units and standards was one principally al- luded to. We are glad to see that the names of Dr. E. L. Nicholls, Professor Alexander Graham Bell, Mr. Nikolas Tesla and Mr. Lud- wig Gutman are prominent among those on the lists of committees. It is also a pleasure to note that at a meeting of the World’s Fair Electric Com- mittee, held in Chicago, in October it was decided to have the names of famous electric scientists of all ages and countries placed over the Electric Building at the Ex- position. Some of these were Franklin, «Gal- vani. Ampere, Furradav, Morse, Volta, Henry, Arago, etc. It is likewise matter of congratulation that the names of Messrs. An- thony, Hering and Kennelly have been placed on the committee to formulate a pro- gramme for the proceedings of the Congress. ——- . ^ Ever-Increasing Usefulness of the Phonograph. The ends served by the phonograph in- crease in number evei^ day. We receive from the able and alert manager of the Chicago,Central Phonograph Co., Mr. W. S. Gray, a copy of the Chicago Tribune contain- ing a notice of a new application of this in- strument. 'I'lie daughter of li^Ubi Browne, of a Cleve- land high school, suggests that the phono- graph may he used to^L<£ich the blind to read. Rabbi Browne wrote to Mr. Edison concerning it. ami he wrote iu reply that although the idea was new*to him it was practicable. Mr. Edison is now experimenting in order to re- duce the size of the cylinders and yet increase their capacity. The recording needle is re- duced to half the size of the present one. The screw is made smaller, so as to increase tlie revolutions of the cylinder. Special machines could he constructed by which the number of words can be increased to {font 4,000 to 5,000. The cylinders are so durable that one was made to repeat its* words three thousand (3.0(H)) times. * Arrived from France. The mqdcl of the celebrated electric battery constructed Tfy the 4ate Mr. Emile Reynicr, of Paris, for his elastic accumulator, reached the office of Tiik Phonogram this week, and may be seen by all who desire to avail themselves of an opportunity to examine tiiis excellent apparatus. 4