2 1 6 HEROES OF INVENTION AND DISCO VER Y. 



of a speaking-trumpet and two ear-trumpets, with which 

 two people can converse in an ordinary tone some miles 

 apart. Another is the seorophone, two hundred and fifty times 

 the capacity of the human lungs, meant for shouting distances 

 at sea. The sound is carried on in this instrument by a steam 

 jet, which takes the tones of the voice and sends them on. 

 Electric pens, electric shears, electric engines are a few among 

 the many inventions of this wonderful genius. Edison seems to 

 believe that the truest inspiration comes through work ; he still 

 goes on inventing, and he may yet astonish the world with an 

 invention beyond our wildest dreams. 



Edison's name is honourably connected with the desire to 

 use the telephone as a means of sound communication, and the 

 electric light a means of practical illumination. The telephone 

 is being put to the test as a " far speaker," having been intro- 

 duced as a means of communication in several business houses 

 in London and elsewhere, while the electric light only requires 

 some modification in the production and manipulation to be 

 practically useful, at least, lor the purposes of public illnniina 

 tiuu. 



