[D8133ZAM], Letter from Edward Hibberd Johnson to Thomas Alva Edison, November 3rd, 1881
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Title
[D8133ZAM], Letter from Edward Hibberd Johnson to Thomas Alva Edison, November 3rd, 1881
Editor's Notes
"Crystal Palace Exhibition. The one thing which Paris failed most conspicuously in was 'Reliability.'" Wants to emphasize this at Crystal Palace. Instead of running entire plant of 12 machines off one engine, proposes using three engines, four dynamos each, each dynamo to run 75 lamps with 2 dynamos as spares for total of 600 lamps. Asks following questions: (1) "Will this be too severe a strain on the 8 say for a few minutes say 10 or 15 until we can start up again or shut off some of the lamps." (2) Can he sufficiently increase field strength in remaining 8 dynamos to get lamps up to 16cp? (3) will stoppage of engine driving the 4 machines without opening dynamos harm their armatures? "Will this sudden withdrawal of the 4 machines at one blow of a switch--too suddenly & severely tax the capacity of the other eight?" "My idea is to demonstrate practically and on a limited scale--your method of obtaining reliability by the sub-division of your Power." Wants to show that if 1 dynamo fails system will work fine still. This requires good regulation and he has idea for this too: sketches an arrgt and asks several questions abt regulation. "I want to illustrate the 'Edison system'=and not rely solely on the Exhibition of a Lamp=" No high-speed steam engines in UK to speak of. Preece is wkg on his lecture on Paris exhibition; will give to Society of Arts in Dec, timing it to opening of Johnson's London shop & Crystal Palace exhibition. "so as to create a furore-(This is his idea-he wants some glory)." Don't be concerned abt competition; that's Lowrey's bogeyman and everyone here is confident. 3 things in our favor: will make a big demo; TAE has priority and best system; Preece's influence in scientific circles. Faure batty people "jubilant over their Railway success." Thus have been vy friendly to us and seek a tie-up at least to supply them lamps. Lack of facilities necessitates postponing getting into iso business in UK. London plant progressing well; describes heavy construction for building. poss select for situation in UK and beg. Crystal Palace expo. dh 6dec02
Author
Recipient
Mentioned
Date
1881-11-03
Type
Subject
Folder/Volume ID
D8133-F
Microfilm ID
58:682
Document ID
D8133ZAM
Publisher
Thomas A. Edison Papers, School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers University