ELECTRICITY 



1988 



ELECTRICITY 



gradually has this subtle force extended its 

 sway over civilization that there is scarcely an 

 industry that does not depend upon electricity 

 or is not modified by it. 



The larger uses of electricity are described in 

 special articles referred to below. It is the pur- 

 pose of this article to call attention to a num- 

 ber of minor uses that are not so well known, 

 but which are practically within the reach 

 of all. 



Household Economy. The application of 

 electric energy to the operation of machinery 

 enables the housewife to change what was for- 

 merly drudgery into a delightful occupation. 

 The electric motor, which can be installed at 

 slight expense 

 and operated by 

 attaching it to an 

 electric light 

 socket, runs the 

 sewing machine, 

 the washing ma- 

 chine, wringer 

 and the vacuum 

 cleaner. The ap- 

 plication of elec- 

 tric energy to 

 the production of 

 heat (see ELEC- 

 TRIC HEATING) and the invention of innumer- 

 able devices for household use make house- 

 keeping a pleasure and enable the wife and 

 mother to devote time and energy saved 

 by these devices 

 to recreation and 

 culture. First 

 among these con- 

 veniences may be 

 mentioned the 

 electric iron, 

 which is heated 

 by the passage of 

 the current over 

 the resistance 

 coil, a. Attach the cord to the lamp socket 

 and in a few minutes the iron is ready for use. 

 By means of the electric toaster, of which 



ELECTRIC IRON 

 The coil a shows how iron 

 is heated. 



ELECTRIC TOASTER 



ELECTRIC MILK 

 WARMER 



AN OVENETTE 



there are numerous types, the toast for break- 

 fast can be made at the fcabfe and served. 



hot. The toaster shown here can be used 

 for heating other articles, as well. The heat- 

 ing coils are in the box and are shown by 

 the shading below the wires. The ovenette is 

 a small electric oven. The part a, shown in 

 the illustration, sets over b, which contains 

 the heating coils. This little device is as effi- 

 cient for its purpose as the large oven of a gas* 

 or coal range. But perhaps the most unique 

 device is the nur- 

 sery milk warmer, 

 shown herewith. 

 By setting the 

 bottle in the coil 

 the milk is soon 

 warmed at any 

 hour of the day 

 or night. To 

 these devices add 

 electric coffee 

 pots, percolators, 

 stoves and grills, 

 and it is readily 

 seen that the 

 electric current 

 can be made to 

 perform a great variety of household duties. 



Electricity on the Farm. Wherever the 

 fartner can procure electric energy he can use 

 it to the saving of time and expense, by the 

 use of the electric motor to run the wash- 

 ing machine and wringer, the churn and 

 the sewing machine for the mistress of the 

 home; by using the same motor to turn his 

 grindstone, run his feed grinder and any other 

 machine about the buildings. Another and 

 equally valuable use of the electric current on 

 the farm is for the production of electric light. 

 The farmer may obtain his current from some 

 electric company by running wires from the 

 nearest point on their cables to his premises, 

 or, if he has a water power site on his land, 

 by installing a private dynamo. However, the 

 former plan is the less expensive. 



Electricity and War. The War of the Na- 

 tions led to uses of electricity never before 

 attempted. All aeroplanes depend upon elec- 

 tricity for ignition. Electric searchlights and 

 range finders are controlling factors in artillery 

 fire. The largest guns are often aimed by 

 directions given by officers far removed from 

 the gunners, and they are fired by the use of 

 the electric current instead of the old method 

 of percussion. Without the storage battery to 

 supply power the submarine would be unable 

 to operate. Without the .use .of electricity 



