Miscellaneous Inventions - 6
In the list of Edison's patents at the end of this work may be noted many other of his
miscellaneous inventions, covering items such as preserving fruit in vacuo, making plateglass,
drawing wire, and metallurgical processes for treatment of nickel, gold, and copper
ores; but to mention these inventions separately would trespass too much on our limited
space here. Hence, we shall leave the interested reader to examine that list for himself.
From first to last Edison has filed in the United States Patent Office--in addition to more
than 1400 applications for patents--some 120 caveats embracing not less than 1500
inventions. A "caveat" is essentially a notice filed by an inventor, entitling him to receive
warning from the Office of any application for a patent for an invention that would
"interfere" with his own, during the year, while he is supposed to be perfecting his
device. The old caveat system has now been abolished, but it served to elicit from Edison
a most astounding record of ideas and possible inventions upon which he was working,
and many of which he of course reduced to practice. As an example of Edison's fertility
and the endless variety of subjects engaging his thoughts, the following list of matters
covered by ONE caveat is given. It is needless to say that all the caveats are not quite so
full of "plums," but this is certainly a wonder.
Forty-one distinct inventions relating to the phonograph, covering various forms of
recorders, arrangement of parts, making of records, shaving tool, adjustments, etc.
Eight forms of electric lamps using infusible earthy oxides and brought to high
incandescence in vacuo by high potential current of several thousand volts; same
character as impingement of X-rays on object in bulb.
A loud-speaking telephone with quartz cylinder and beam of ultra-violet light.
Four forms of arc light with special carbons.
A thermostatic motor.
A device for sealing together the inside part and bulb of an incandescent lamp
mechanically.
Regulators for dynamos and motors.
Three devices for utilizing vibrations beyond the ultra violet.
A great variety of methods for coating incandescent lamp filaments with silicon, titanium,
chromium, osmium, boron, etc.
Several methods of making porous filaments.
Several methods of making squirted filaments of a variety of materials, of which about
thirty are specified.
Seventeen different methods and devices for separating magnetic ores.
A continuously operative primary battery.
A musical instrument operating one of Helmholtz's artificial larynxes.
A siren worked by explosion of small quantities of oxygen and hydrogen mixed.
Three other sirens made to give vocal sounds or articulate speech.
A device for projecting sound-waves to a distance without spreading and in a straight
line, on the principle of smoke rings.
A device for continuously indicating on a galvanometer the depths of the ocean.
A method of preventing in a great measure friction of water against the hull of a ship and
incidentally preventing fouling by barnacles.
A telephone receiver whereby the vibrations of the diaphragm are considerably amplified.
Two methods of "space" telegraphy at sea.
An improved and extended string telephone.
Devices and method of talking through water for considerable distances.
An audiphone for deaf people.
Sound-bridge for measuring resistance of tubes and other materials for conveying sound.
A method of testing a magnet to ascertain the existence of flaws in the iron or steel
composing the same.
Method of distilling liquids by incandescent conductor immersed in the liquid.
Method of obtaining electricity direct from coal.
An engine operated by steam produced by the hydration and dehydration of metallic salts.
Device and method for telegraphing photographically.
Carbon crucible kept brilliantly incandescent by current in vacuo, for obtaining reaction
with refractory metals.
Device for examining combinations of odors and their changes by rotation at different
speeds.
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