208 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1941 



Lightningproof electrical systems were but the dreams of engineers 

 a few years ago. They are still not a reality, but the day is coming 

 when they will be. Much has been done in this direction ; more is 

 yet to be done. The recent development of a device for recording 

 natural lightning strokes that is relatively inexpensive and simple, 

 so that dozens of them can be installed over wide areas, will be of 

 tremendous assistance in collecting that quantity of statistical in- 

 formation about lightning necessary for the construction of protective 

 devices and self-protecting apparatus. We now have reason to believe 

 that in the not too distant future lightning, once the great disturber 

 of electrical systems, will be eliminated as a hazard to power 

 continuity. 



Vast new vistas are being opened by high-frequency electric energy. 

 High frequencies, which broadly include everything beyond 60 cycles, 

 are already being used for numerous tasks of melting, heat-treating, 

 and drying. Packaged raw materials are being dried without open- 

 ing the containers ; bearing surfaces of finished engine crankshafts are 

 being given additional hardness by localized heating induced by high- 

 frequency currents. With the rapid developments in high-frequency 

 generators, both of the rotating and electron tube types, it is not in- 

 conceivable that all gasoline and Diesel engines, machine tools, and 

 other machines will be treated by high-frequency when assembled or 

 partially assembled to harden the wearing surfaces. 



The great field of electronics, which is now best known in radio, 

 television, and communication, can be expected to find a greater 

 number of future applications in the electrical industry, particularly 

 in those fields having to do with automatic machine operations, in- 

 spection of materials and safety methods. Recent progress in the 

 development of larger and more reliable metal-tank tubes indicates 

 that electronics may also be expected to play an increasingly im- 

 portant part in electric-power distribution, both in transformations 

 and control. 



Wlien it is considered that the power consumption in many small 

 homes today is from 3 to 10 times the national average, due to the 

 increasing acceptance of electric ranges, water heaters, forced air 

 circulation, high lighting levels, and other conveniences, we can ex- 

 pect domestic power consumption to double in a reasonable time. 

 This indicates the need for an improved low-voltage distribution 

 system as well as rewiring of homes. 



Agriculture is another field that has scarcely been touched by the 

 electrical industry. In addition to the usual applications of power 

 and light, there appear to be many possibilities of applying treat- 

 ments and radiations for the stimulation of plant growth and control 

 of insects that now infest grains, plants, and seeds. 



