The Invention Of The Incandescent Lamp - 11

The Invention Of The Incandescent Lamp - 11

 Reference has been made in this chapter to the preliminary study that Edison brought to

bear on the development of the gas art and industry. This study was so exhaustive that

one can only compare it to the careful investigation made in advance by any competent

war staff of the elements of strength and weakness, on both sides, in a possible campaign.

A popular idea of Edison that dies hard, pictures a breezy, slap-dash, energetic inventor

arriving at new results by luck and intuition, making boastful assertions and then winning

out by mere chance. The native simplicity of the man, the absence of pose and ceremony,

do much to strengthen this notion; but the real truth is that while gifted with unusual

imagination, Edison's march to the goal of a new invention is positively humdrum and

monotonous in its steady progress. No one ever saw Edison in a hurry; no one ever saw

him lazy; and that which he did with slow, careful scrutiny six months ago, he will be

doing with just as much calm deliberation of research six months hence--and six years

hence if necessary. If, for instance, he were asked to find the most perfect pebble on the

Atlantic shore of New Jersey, instead of hunting here, there, and everywhere for the

desired object, we would no doubt find him patiently screening the entire beach, sifting

out the most perfect stones and eventually, by gradual exclusion, reaching the longsought-

for pebble; and the mere fact that in this search years might be taken, would not

lessen his enthusiasm to the slightest extent.

In the "prospectus book" among the series of famous note-books, all the references and

data apply to gas. The book is numbered 184, falls into the period now dealt with, and

runs along casually with items spread out over two or three years. All these notes refer

specifically to "Electricity vs. Gas as General Illuminants," and cover an astounding

range of inquiry and comment. One of the very first notes tells the whole story: "Object,

Edison to effect exact imitation of all done by gas, so as to replace lighting by gas by

lighting by electricity. To improve the illumination to such an extent as to meet all

requirements of natural, artificial, and commercial conditions." A large programme, but

fully executed! The notes, it will be understood, are all in Edison's handwriting. They go

on to observe that "a general system of distribution is the only possible means of

economical illumination," and they dismiss isolated- plant lighting as in mills and

factories as of so little importance to the public--"we shall leave the con- sideration of

this out of this book." The shrewd prophecy is made that gas will be manufactured less

for lighting, as the result of electrical competition, and more and more for heating, etc.,

thus enlarging its market and increasing its income. Comment is made on kerosene and

its cost, and all kinds of general statistics are jotted down as desirable. Data are to be

obtained on lamp and dynamo efficiency, and "Another review of the whole thing as

worked out upon pure science principles by Rowland, Young, Trowbridge; also Rowland

on the possibilities and probabilities of cheaper production by better manufacture--higher

incandescence without decrease of life of lamps." Notes are also made on meters and

motors. "It doesn't matter if electricity is used for light or for power"; while small motors,

it is observed, can be used night or day, and small steam-engines are inconvenient. Again

the shrewd comment: "Generally poorest district for light, best for power, thus evening

up whole city--the effect of this on investment."