626 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1914. 
tractors in the lighting field, and lighting companies better their 
practice. It is to be regretted that in a review of recent progress 
in the field of illumination, note must be taken of the fact that 
illuminating practice has not advanced as rapidly as the develop- 
ment of the materials of illumination and the advance of the 
science of illumination would appear to make possible. The art of 
illumination has made rapid strides. Manufacturers, contractors, 
and lighting companies have improved their practice In many in- 
stances. Unfortunately, however, their influence is largely confined 
to new installations in stores and to some large manufacturing estab- 
lishments. Where the commercial incentive is clearly discernible, old 
installations have been brought up to date very generally. With 
these exceptions the older installations, dating back 10 years or more, 
compare unfavorably with the best that the art affords. 
Broadly speaking, a review of recent developments throughout the 
entire field must prove encouraging to all who are interested in the 
subject of illumination, with the single exception that means have 
not yet been devised for bringing old installations up to date and 
into conformity with present day knowledge of lighting principles. 
FORCES TENDING FOR BETTERMENT IN THE ILLUMINATION FIELD. 
The progress of the past few years in the field of illumination 
is largely traceable to definite sources, and consideration of these 
sources warrants the belief that recent progress may be taken 
as an earnest of further progress to be anticipated for the near 
future. The Iluminating Engineering Society is a forum for the 
discussion of lighting questions. It fosters study in the field, 
collects in its transactions most of the important literature of the 
art, and seeks to disseminate information regarding illumination. 
The Johns Hopkins University Illuminating Engineering Society 
lecture course on illuminating engineering laid the groundwork 
for educational! courses devoted to the subject, and a committee 
on education of the Illuminating Engineering Society is now 
seeking to further pedagogic interest and activity along this line. 
The national associations of electric companies and of gas com- 
panies are doing educational work in this field. The Illuminating 
Engineering Society is conducting a campaign of popular educa- 
tion. All of these efforts have made for progress, and may be 
looked to for future progress. The manufacturers of illumi- 
nants and accessories in this country are remarkably progressive. 
Their researches and investigations and educational work are 
bringing large results throughout the entire field. Lighting com- 
panies are awakening to the importance of illumination. While 
perhaps the power business in both the electric and gas industries 
