Omaha Daily Bee Newspaper, May 2, 1909, Page 42

PART SIX, ELECTRICAL ‘THE OMAHA SUNDAY BEE. FOR ALL THE NEWS THE OMAHA BEE BEST IN THE WEST — L — VOL. XXXVIII—-NO. 46. ELECTRICAL SHOW TO STRIKE SPARK Educational Purpose of the GENERAL VIEW OF THE CHICAGO O STRIKE a spark with the public.” In a few words this is the explanation of the “why” of an electrical show being held each year in Omaha as given by its incorporators. ““That means to bring to the attention of the people of Omaha how much more comfortably and conveniently they may live when they take advantage of all the electrical appliances which are on the market and within the reach of the ordinary man,” says Wilbur Burgess, secretary of the show. It is educational,” says President G. W. Johnston. “In no other way could people become acquainted with the practical uses to which electricity is put every day and in no other way could Omaha be as thoroughly informed as to the possibilities of electricity as by at- tending these annual electrical shows. If Chicago gives a show each year and Omaha does not, thousands of Chicago homes, offices and business houses will have electrical appliances of which Omaha has only heard. The show is a necessity to keep up modern living.” Manager J. M. Gillan says: “Day by day and year by year elec- tricity is weaving a more complete network of utility in the busy world about us. In fact, the transition has been so rapid thatit is almost startling when we consider the progress that has been made in the electrical world during the last thirty or forty years. This exposition will be a palpable demonstration of the wonderful things already accomplished by electricity and a book of prophecy upon the marvelous triumphs that await the further development of this mar- velous form of nature's energy. Last year the show illustrated a few things and people an idea of the many uses of electrical applinnces with which they were already somewhat familiar. This year we will show the new things as well as the old, demonstrating the practical use of the energy in the shop, office, home, in the army and on the railroad trains. This great demonstration is given by the electricians, electrical supply houses and the Omaha Electric Light and Power company without a directly selfish motive. The men are making the investment with the hope at some future time their business as well as all other lines of business will profit by the more common use of electricity, just as those who have organized the National Corn Exposition and are consistently boosting it, hope that all business will prosper more when the farmers give the world more food." Already Omaha is an “electrical city” in the place of using gas to such an extent for lighting and steam and gasoline engines for power. _ A few years ago it was the other way. Not many houses were wired for electrical lighting. Now the modern residences—homes which are homes at all—being erected in Omaha, are not only weird for lighting, but are wierd with another class of conductors for bring- ing a stronger current into the house to be used for power or heat- ing. Looking into the future those who supply the electrical current to Omaha can see the increase in the use of electricity as the shows are given from year to year and plants have been built to care for the needs of Omaha for many years to come. The capacity of the plant which present furnishes most the light and power capable of carrying a load 75 per cent greater than what it is carry- ing at present. With all the Hlluminating which is being done by merchants, with all the additional power needed. by factories and shops and the 1,000 new residences which are being erected each year, the supply which can be furnished to Omaha is 8o great that the increase is not even felt at the central plant. Five years ago only 2,000 horse power in motors were connected up to the central plant. This vear contracts with call for the furnishing of 9,000 horsepower. The increase in the use of electric- ity for lighting has been about in the same proportion. With all this surplus electrical energy, a hydro-electrical plant is being projected which promises Omaha access to as much as 50,000 horsepower, about ten times as much as the city now uses and three (13 ave at of is the main company ANOTHER-PRIVATE BOOTH AT CHICAGU SHOW: OMAHA, SUNDAY MORNING, MAY 2, 1909. times as much as the maximum of the present plants All these factors were taken into consideration by those who started the electrical show enterprise last year and President F. A. Nash of the Omaha Electric Light and Power company approved the plan submitted by Isaac Zimman and J. M. Gillan who visited the leading electric shows in the coun- try “ They at us when laughed Chicago we said w were planning an electric show in Omaha,"” says Mr. Zimman “We would stand around and talk with manufactur- ers and those in- terested in the large electric en- terprises. They talked serfously but had to hold their faces to keep from laughing. “‘Why, you couldn’t give an, electric show in Omaha unless someone gave you a hundred thousand dollars to pay its expenses.’ “This was the remark of one showman and manufacturer when we talked Omaha Electric show to him. But our best argument was that Omaha was the only city In the country which ever gave a great international exposition and paid the stock holders almost dollar for dollar; that Omaha gave a horse show and broke even on the finances while the pure food shows and every poultry show ever given in Omaha had proven a success, to say nothing about the great Ak-Sar-Ben festival. ‘All these little reminders helped, but it took the business men here in Omaha to make the show possible. They signed guarantees and while one or two sald they would rather give a straight amount than sign up a guarantec, they wished afterwards they had become stockholders, as the show made money.” With last year's success as a thing to beat, the show will open May 6 and run for ten days this year on the most eleborate plan ever devised for an electrical show. Besides being a plan which will surprise friends of the enterprise, it is original. It has been the motto of the promoters of this show as it is with other expositions held in this city “Omaha don’t imitate—but Omaba heats her own record each year."” A i Perhaps the most original and striking thing about the electrical show will be the decorating scheme. All other shows in all other cities have been schemes for using electricity in lighting and decorat- ing, but none have ever attempted a moving lighting plan before. Chicago had a big field of blue dotted with lamps, some of which went out and then burst forth in light again like twinkling stars. This was all the movement in the Chicago illuminating scheme. It was attractive, looking it did like the firmament on a ‘“‘cold clear night of stars.” But far be it from Omahans to imitate when it comes to produc- ing electrical novelties—to which fact numerous street signs testify nightly. The workers went to work. They would have a real moving illumination which would mystify as well as attract the admiration of visitors. E. C. Bennett and J. B. Garnsey were the designers of the big novelty This ingenious lighting scheme consists of sixteen ‘‘caronas” or big domes studded with red and white lights. Inverted, they are suspended in the Auditorium where arc lights ordinarily hang. Something of the light they will make may be imagined when it is known they are eight feet in diameter. Giving a beautiful effect when they are standing still, with the lights going out and coming on symmetrically, always ascending whent coming on, winding and twisting like corkscrews. But the effect is intensified by the caronas revolving themselves. This was a dificult task to keep these sixteen big domes of galvanized iron whirling and make sure they would not stop and disappoint a crowd of visitors. But no one can see what moves them. The plan is the most ambitious ever attempted. Fans have been placed down inside the caronas. The current necessary to run one light runs the fan, and when the fan is in motion sucking the air back and forth the big dome turns. That accomplishes the most elaborate and original decorating scheme ever attempted at any electric show on in ELECTRIC SHOW. ctric earth Fifty-six booths have been arranged for the exhibits, while the stage will be utilized by the Omaha Electric Light and Power com- pany with a practical exhibit of “industrial power,” which for in- terest the management believes will surpass the unique electrical cottage which the company had Jast year. Wide aisles will run between these booths which form the “white way.”” One hundred and nine white posts capped with electric lights are necessary in partitioning off the booths. The posts are con- nected by white railing. Each one of ‘the posts will have sight electric lights on crossbars from the top. But all the light will be thrown down and on the top of the post will be a potted plant—not an artificial palm, but a real plant from one of Oma- ha's big hothouses The plan to have all lights throwing their illurpination down is another original idea. They not only make the Auditorium lighter but the rays of thousands of lamps are penetra ting to the roof. Allisdarkness above the big caro- nas and the roof of the Auditorium canunot be seen. The efeect will be at pleasing and also make it unnecessary to cover the ceilings with bunting canvas. In recognition of the enterprise of Omaha electri- clans and the merits of the ex- not once or position as an educational effort, the United States government will make an unusual display and the signal corps wire- less telegraph plant will be installed This is done through the kindness and efforts of Colonel Glassford, the post commander at Fort Omaha. Juet in front of the stage the main wireless station will be in- stalled. The antenna for this station will be the one over which communication with Fort Omaha will be made and the message of President Taft will be received to open the show. The president will wire his message of greeting by telegraph to Fort Omaha, then it will be relayed to the wireless and from the military post will be flashed to the Auditorium The second station for the wireless demonstration will be placed to the right of the main entrance at the front of the booths. Here visitors may stop and send wireless telegrams to themselves or friends. The message will go out over the top of the building and be received at the other end of the building, where it will be deliv- ered to the parties addressed Not less interesting than the exhibit to be made by the United States army will be the block signai plant and electrical experiment work which will be shown by the Union Pacific Railroad company This will be in charge of Dr. Frederick Millner and is given through the kindness of A. L. Mohler, vice president and general manager, The block signal plant will not be a model, but the full-sized equip- ment will be used, showing how trains “hop” from point to point on the railroads which use this system, absolutely in control of the elec- trical blocks. Visitors who do not believe a block signal will prevent a train wreck, or that some operator asleep may prevent them from work- ing, will be shown that the blocks used on the Union Pacific are not susceptible to human weakness and negligence when once installed, but that trains run by them are safe from wreckage. Dr. Miliner, who is recognized as one of the men in the country whose work has made mechanics easier and more economical, will give some experi- ments at the elec- trical show which are almost ‘“too good to believe.” Welding iron un- der water is only a suggestion of the surprises which the electrician of the Union Pacitic will have for visi- tors. The Omaha Electric Light and Power company will occupy the en- tire stage with its “4ndustrial power” exhibit, which is to be divided into eight booths. Mhese divisions will show the fol- lowing: (1) Electricity the machine shop, running lathes, drills and band saws. (2) Blectro- plating, showing how silver, gold and copper are put on metals known as “plated ware.” (3) Manufac- turing electrical machinery. (4) Electricity in the clothing factory, a knife cutting out gar- ments by the hundred “just like sawing wood."” (5) Shoe repairing by electricty, where the thin sole and dis- figured heel is ripped off and replaced in a machine, together with patches where the “corns pressed through.” (6) Electricity in the creamery, working butter and manufac- turing ice cream. (Samples of the ice cream will be distributed). (7) Machinery of the bakers operated electricity, mixing dough and baking buns. (8) Electricity in the printing cfice in by In this booth the Electric FOR Exhibit Its Dominant Note and All the Wonders of the Science Will Be Shown to Visitors by Experts in Handling of Electricity Light and Power company will . publish a daily paper during the ex- position. Crane & Co, are planning an exhibit which will be a “regula premier on electricity.”« They will show appliances from batteries to the most complicated machinery, making it possible for anyone to see as near as anyone in the world has ever seen, where electricity comes from That the displays in minor electrical appliancés will be a whole new world to many goes without saying. Literally carloads of new appliances have been shipped to Omaha by local dealers and out- siders, that they might show the goods for the first time at the Omaha Electrical show. The fixture houses, which have secured exclusive designs in lamps and found them selling, are making the provision that they are not to be delivered until after the big show. These new things for the home will be shown in endless profusion, from the den lamps to the showers for the dining room. Last year almost everything was included, but with the fixture houses the motto this year is “‘only new ideas.” That an electric incubator is practical will be demonstrated by George H. Lee. Mr. Lee has had some of these incubators “set” for the necessary time to have them hatch during the exposition. “Why, even eggs are made by electricity now,” says Mr. Lee. “We have ‘set’ an incubator with thesc artificial eggs. It is hard telling what we will get when the eggs begin to hatch. It is said English terriers:were the result of a recent hatching in Chicago, but we will be contented if we get squabs.” The show in Omaha has made the city the permanent meeting place of the Nebraska Electric Light association, which will meet here during the show and attend it as often as possible. The man- agement of the show will give the Nebraska Electric Light associa« tion a banquet the evening of May 11. Sons of Jove will also hold thelr ceremonial during the show, the initiation coming the evening of May 13. PRIVATE BOOTH AT THE (. .«u>0 ELECTRIC SHOW, Something of the work necessary to prepare for the electrical show may be realized when the fact is known that the Omaha elec- tricians having it in charge have held a meeting every Saturday since January 1, while the Omaha Electrical club, which meets Wednesday noons, has had the matter up for discussion. at every meeting since the last show closed a year ago. That the object of the show will be accomplished there is little doubt in the minds of the managers. It was a financial success last vear, and this year care will be taken to spemd all the money re- ceived. This the managers will do by providing the 'best of music, both instrumental and vocal. Miss Blanche Mehaffey, the woman who “sings to beat the band,” will sing afternoons and ovm\mgn. Progress in the Fviield of Electrical Application of The foremost of these is probably the Tungsten incan- descent lamp, by which we ean produce better light for less money T MAY be a difficult task for a woman to keep “a jour” with the rapid and various changes of fashion, but such would sink into oblivious insignificance comp with the for keeping abreast with the constant new the source and application of electricity The people at large learn of any new results accomplighed by the mystic fluid, but are not familiar with the changes and varlations in the kinds of current for the production of these results The old fundamental I for direct current were overthrown with the introduction of alternating current, and as experiments on high- potential and high-frequency ourreat progr we again find differ- ent individuality of our Invisible agent. These changes in currents make necessary new apparatus and new methods for ‘“delivering” the juice. An example of this is furnished by the Omaha Lighting plant within the last ten or twelve years, when single-phase current gave way to the monocyclic, which some years ago #as superseded by three-phase current, while the voltage or pressure has been in- . sed practically from 1,000 volts to more than 8,000, in order to red requirements developments in necessary cre cover the constantly increasing area of a growing city The same would refer to the plant of the street rallway company, Up to about two years ago direct current of 500 volts was employed in satisfactory manner. As the territory, which had to be covered, grew larger, a different kind of current was necessary to accomplish what to the public would seem to be the same thicg, only on a larger scale., In this case it was deemed practical to employ alternating in- stead of direct current at a pressure of 13,000 volts in- stead of the original 500 By recent improvements great made in long disiance electrical making it possible to harness waterfalls and centralize power plants, thus cutting down the cost of current. This has also made possible the electrification of railroads and interurban railways, which are rapidly Increasing in number. Whether electrification of transcontinental railroads will be feasible by our present methods or by storage batteries is one of the questions left open for the future to decide. One thing is sure, and that is, if the latter method shall be adopted we must first produce a battery llke the one Edison has promised to present to the world for the last fifteen years In the line of storage batteries we have made but very little progress since these were first invented. A commercially successful battery, which is not worth its weight in gold and would not weigh as much as gold, would put electricity “to work" for many purposes, the most important of which, from present indications, would be for the propelling of automoblles. Late years have progress has been power transmission, seen some wonderful improvements In the production light by electricity. than by the old carbon fllament lamp. This product promises to revolutionize modern artificial lighting, as the Tungsten lamp pro- duces a light by which colors can be distinguished almost as easy as by sunlight, and the consumption of current for the same candle power is a little less than one-half of that required by the old style incandescent lamp. The fact that this lamp will fit into the ordinary lamp socket will help increase its popularity and usefulness. In spite of the fact that we have reason to be proud of this new invention, we must still acknowledge that we aré far from the proper solution of producing light in as economical and efficlent a manner as by nature’s agent, the sun. Light is vibrations of the ether of a certain rapidity and direction. To produce light it should not be necessary to make heat and therefrom derive light. It will in a dis- tant future undoubtedly be possible to produce light directly by im- parting to the ether of our atmosphere the vibrations, which are and constitute light. In order to accomplish this we must employ a cur- ren of higher potential and frequency than we have thus far been (Continued ou Page Two.)