Telephone as a Prophet

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 204, 29 August 1896, Page 3 (Supplement)

Telephone as a Prophet

ANNOUNCES THE APPBOACH OF STORMS ANX

Changes in Tempebatuke,

You have, of coarse, heard the snapping sounds, like the sizzling of grease in a frying, pan, in a telephone. Undoubtedly yon have also noticed that this sound is more prominent daring, or just before, a storm. The telephone is, in fact, one of the moat) sensitive instruments in use, and when properly constructed and adjusted is susceptible of extremely minute Bounds, On account of its sensitirenees it is often used as an electrical testing instrument for locating leaks, etc.

The suggestion is now made to utilize the telephone as a barometer. This may be accomplished by placing in the earth five or six yards from each other two bars of iron, split and separated at their lower ends so aa to increase the surface of contact. The earth at the face of these bars should be kept saturated with a solution of chlorbydrate of ammonia, applications once every week or two being sufficient. The two bars are to be connected by wires with a telephone. Twelve or fifteen hours before a storm a chirping sonnd will be heard in the receiver, which will gradually increase as the storm comes nearer, finally sounding like a pattering of hail on a metal roof. At .each lightening flash a sound like a doll blow on the receiver will be heard. Previous to changes in tempearture there will be a murmur like the distant song of birds.