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Show READING SEVEN MILES FROM THE LIGHT. A Short Time Ago The Maxim electric light was put in operation on the tower of the Grand Union Hotel, Saratoga Springs, N. Y. (New York), with a view to test the extent of its illuminating powers. An opera parabolic reflector was used - no lenses - and care was taken by Mr. Maxim to set the points of the carbons a little at one side of each other, and to adjust them to the exact focus of the reflector. When this was fairly accomplished, the light was turned toward a spot in Ballston Spa, New York, 7 miles distant, where by previous arrangement; a group of several hundred persons were assembled to witness the experiment. So powerful was the light, so accurate the focusing and alignment, that the designated place in Ballston was instantly illuminated, so that ordinary print could be read, the time seen on watches, etc. The night was clear, still and dark. The experiment was made at 9-1/2 o'clock, P.M. This is believed to be the greatest distance at which illumination of equal degree has been accomplished. We are indebted to Mr. H. S. Maxim for the above particulars. - Scientific American. |