THE CONQUEST OF NATURE 



asters revealed the fact that when the burner of a lamp 

 was constructed so that the air for combustion was 

 supplied after the gas issued from the jet, there was no 

 danger of explosion. And as lamps carefully con- 

 structed on this principle replaced the early ones of 

 faulty construction, confidence in acetylene was restored. 

 Methods were devised for supplying the gas for house- 

 illumination like ordinary gas, and the occupants of 

 country houses were afforded a means of lighting their 

 houses on a scale of brilliancy hitherto unapproached, 

 yet with economy and relative safety. 



It was found also that the brilliancy of the acetylene 

 flame was of such intensity that it could be used, like 

 the electric arc light, as a search-light. It thus furnished 

 a simple means of supplying small boats and vehicles 

 with such lights, which they could not otherwise have 

 had. It also supplied army signal- corps with an ap- 

 paratus for flashing messages an apparatus that was 

 ideal on account of its simplicity and small size. 



At the Pan-American Exhibition at Buffalo the 

 various illuminating exhibits were among the most con- 

 spicuous and attractive features. But even amid the 

 dazzling electrical displays the Acetylene Building was a 

 noteworthy object. "It was the most brilliantly and 

 beautifully lighted building in the grounds," declared 

 one observer. "It sparkled like a diamond, and was 

 the admiration of all visitors. In it were generators of 

 all types most of them supplying the gas for their 

 own exhibits several being the latest exponents of the 

 art, so simple that they can be safely managed by un- 

 skilled labor; in fact, 'the brains are in the machines,' 



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