GENERAL SCIENCE 



CHAPTER I 



THE PRODUCTION AND USE OF LIGHT 

 I. PRIMITIVE LIGHTING 



1. The Discovery of Fire. There probably was a time when 

 primitive man was without fire. In those days he had no 

 artificial heat or light, and he ate his food uncooked. Per- 

 haps man first obtained fire from dead trees ignited by light- 

 ning, perhaps from oil wells which are known to have been 



FIG. 1. The open fire is the center of the home. 



burning for centuries. With fire came warmth, light, and 

 cooked food. The light from the camp fire also furnished 

 protection from wild animals. Gradually the fire came to be 

 the center of the home. It is probable that we owe more 

 than we realize to fire for what it has done toward building up 

 and strengthening family ties. 



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