ELECTRICITY IN THE HOME

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20328, 29 August 1931, Page 25

ELECTRICITY IN THE HOME

*!** ut aa tstiie mechanism of a jHZtNlifWtoE that fornHHLjUft labour of hundreds of these machines aro er electrically con I*3®^JiLji |n made possible this is devised, or some fa improved. Factories I jHEEwfly to electricity for Jteir problems, and the manufacturers somber of new deft the industry every nKupiff# «K>*<h the appu■JmllfirtrinitT industrial purjiHtural that inventors bsve turned thoir of similar Uia heme. For, after Wkw for the housefound of tasks, is u the whittling industrial mass pro-

Washing Dishes. There are several types of cleaners made. There is the all-suction cleaner, the suction cleaner with the motordriven brush and the suction cleaner with the friction-driven brush. There are also different types of brushes, Btraight and stationary and revolving. The choice between types is not material. The essential point to know is that the motor ia of standard make, and that the clearer is designed 80 that it can ba run closely into corners, up close to all walls, and under ordinary pieces of furniture, Dishwashing is another household job that is particularly tedious. Washing the dishes of an average family and caring for towels and utensils can scarcely be figured at Jess than a half hour's time for each meal. The electric dishwasher will, however, do the major part of this job, if given a chance. A dishwasher will wash thoroughly and in purifying hot water, the dishea for one, two br threo meals in five to ten minutes" time after they have been placed in the container. It will scrub them with powerful sprays of soapy hot water, rinse them with equally powerful sprays of clear hot water and dry them to a brilliant finish, by their own heat without the use of a towel. Electric dishwashers are both stationary and portable. Tho first<naroed are usually built in beside the kitchen sink, or as a part of it. They have individual faucets, and they empty into the drain by the simple opening of a trap. This arrangement is very convenient.

recent years ef electrical house*ot feasible, owing fcowea were not thsir occupants many benefits. how*ewwd to a not HHHnwps&Mi *vcry home, no have its supply "jvhen the real rlfr S» a houso the home housekeeping *IH Ifchoa* and tedious disappear and tho true erwastes in the very hardest ironing ' washing relief from Of housewives, «till c<W9tlc«s homes wMtefully in mKm clean clothe? flßni ftewt yeara electric in points dwaWlUy and freeMWmmh that tbey are almost WMMMSalkleßt. Moreover their few materially reduced, titration U surprisingly If (Wti per hoar in lilt process of renowhen the clothes mKKgm Tkt valuo of the electri■HjHMrhp f»r thin ha« nearly all parts beat irons have a HHHHH4t4liag surface, includ9HMK tlgfe, wbieb should be JBHRNMIHL' The point should be ■mC k*® lathers and around aHg» S ; fetQ narrow points in 4HR3Ht of a well-made ttJHgrantb taigned to give com* the hand does not; jWPJPp mm irons are provided 4*l degrees BBWPIPIpHi by turning a switch. jflESPlt'iVtaMtU heat control, the heat off when »|HHPlMiamperatnre and turn- . the iron has cooled

Dishes may be scraped at the sink and if ftpy require riusuig before beiutp}ace/ ift m dishwasher the .running is a help- The built-xp 4 washer is attractive, being of the same white* material of which sinks Thia type of dishwasher is *> e Wg V? stalled in many of the newer apartmentbouse Kitchens. Chopping Baatyigt Electric power c ft n do ® greater variety of things fo sbprten and lighten hour? of housekeeping labour m kitchen than in any Other part of the house. Almost every meal requires in its preparation some beating, cboppWg or grinding. Some moals require many

Icleanor was its attention i stroke! of ft in tbehlghfl? >n the other MPg, I'ioccj Ir accustomed or exteiißiou md the furniistlessly. Inte "floor witji

separate tasks ° t : me R pil using BP tbem a of PWWlMnej'gy. TUa a B j lort taelt, and for 4 fl»e e lo H nd arms very tired, it leaves M , d The mixing of <*oUg h *«* "»• Jce crea ßi vrork. Th« turuwg or " «

1,. , A GREAT variety of uses NEW devices without number jjjg modern £«T S ° extei » sive 'y electrized within the last twenty years Ad kif ttß r ~ t0 I f a ', , w reat an extent our comfort is dependent on the various SLferf «kyi c ® s Tl\ ee^ ntr ? d , u . cetl as a means of saving household labour. In jj£| of cook , on „ " ashioned kitchen stove, which needed constant feeding with gEftr « n< J cqua ' y a f. c °nstant cleaning, the modern housewife uses the electric SSL fffcteh needs no attention for fuel, and little for cleaning; instead of depending on SgXMf for warmth she plugs in a radiator; and instead of raising dust with brooms she iST* vacuum cleaner. Ktlgtofn has benefited in all the points that apply to the city dweller. Instead of fjtfaicn windmills or hand-pumps for his water supply, both for watering his stock and Bjjfc hou» s > d*®. *® rmer 1 18 increasingly using electrically-driven pumps. The electric Bgf Ctfi b® »ppljed to all sorts of farm machinery, to the saw-bench, the lathe, the vßLmff. the threshing-machine, the chaff-cutter, the shearing machine, the horse-clipper Wt/40 milking machine. Wjui further developments the application of electricity to jEEfaigi is becoming more and more possible, and it is reasonable to foresee an "all-

freezer calls for labour so groat that many families go without this delicious, wholesome sweet lather than make it. There aro a number of electrical devices to make the task of cooking really easy. Somo of these aro simply mixers for beating light cream, or drinks, or eggs. Soino handle heavier mixtures, as batters, etc. Thcsa devices are small, being used on a kitchen table or cabinet. They beat by means of some kind of blades or curved sections of metal, which are inserted in the dish of material to be beaten while a small electric motor furnishee tho power. The most versatile of beating device.* is one which is mounted on its own cabinet, and which has a largo variety of Utensils and parts to perform practically every kind of beating, chopping or mixing job incidont to cooking. These-accessories aro kept in compartments in the lower part of the cabinet, where they stand in convenient array, ready to be picked up and attached to the machine aa they are needed. There are mixing bowls accompanying the device, of different t' T .es and shapes* some to be cooled or heated whilo.the device operates on their contents. For this purpose hot water or ice gaskets are provided. This unit has an attachment which breaks ice, and freezes ico cream. It lias an oil-dropping device and mixe9 mayonnaise in short order. It extracts jujcea and strains them. It slices potatoes and vegetables. It "rices" potatoes and beats them to a foam. It mixos any kind of batter or bread, cuts fruits and nuts. This devico may be

purchased either with or without the varied attachments; so that one may adapt it to individual needs. Keeping Food Cool. One of tho outstanding rcceufc developments in tho application of electric power to household upO is the electric refrigerator. Only a J' e & r s this was just one of thousands of pther articles of merchandise for which a great future was predicted. The general public had heard of this device which automatically regulated the temperature inside of an ice box, but they had WO definite expectation of owning one. Tor day, however, household electric re-

frieerators have been eo and lowered in price that they are being installed ip countless homes and w e accepted as a necessity >n SeserviDg the health and saying the food of the peoples of the whole world. Among otter widely accepted and t

standardised electrical devices, cooling fans are valuable in the home every month in the year. Intelligently used, they can make the houso deligotini through the hottest summer season. Uvea in cool weather their services make them indispensable. Fans are available in a wide range of styles ana prices, and with proper care most or them will give excellent service over a long period of years. Electric sewing machines may be operated in the home just as economically as in manufacturers' workrooms, Some women, nowadays, prefer to buy everything ready made, but many others like to have the pleasure of making their clothes at home. This may be accomplished at a distinct saving it the sewing machine has its electric motor to give it speed and to save the fatiguing strain of foot pedalling. Electric machines are not different from those run by foot power except that the motor does the work. They are sellable in chain stitch or lock stitch; rotary or oscillating shuttle, and uiaj be had in cabinet or portable styles. Grills and Percolators. In tho field of small oloctric&l cooking appliances fo- use right on the table, there is a wide range of choice to suit the taste, or appetite, of the user. There aro percolators, or dripcoffee appliances, to give individual choice in tho beverage served. ISgg 3 and creamed breakfast dishes of. many kinds may be cooked speedily in compact) c}ean grills. Toasters turn out evonly-browued slices on tho instant, either crisp or soft, to please varying tastes, Waflie-irons, constructed to cook these delicious dainties without smoking fat, aro offered in many stylos. Pancake grjddles, also greaselcss, will pre pare these old-fashioned breakfast standbys at the table while tho cook sits at ease. Doughnuts are cooked holes aud all, in a table device that operates without fat, Eggs may be scrambled, fried or boiled right befort your eyes. Toasters are made in many styK> and designs. Almost all of them havi a turnover action so that there is n< chance of burned fingOMips. Sour toasters aro automatic iu action, lit'tin tliv toast away from the heated wire after a set length of time, obviatin; the possibility of scorching. Th< mechanism may. bo set in differed positions to make toast in varvinj <" ~ nml to toast lightly o crisply. Others are automatic in th• the heat ia turned oft" when ton«t <■ made —in several degroes of crispness. Four-slice toasters are also available.

A Wide Variety. In addition to being a convenience, an electric percolator is an interesting piece of tabje equipment. There are percolators of practically 4«j design, and of many sizes. The finisranges through the practical metalsnickel,. copper, aud silver. There ai also some made of fireproof china an glass. There may be a simple pei colator without tray or other fitting* or it may be assembled with sugar bow and creamer into a handsome sol Others are in the urn shape, witl faucet to draw off tho beverage, givin stateliness to tho service. One coffe maker is composed of two separat' sections of glass, a siphon tube connect ing them so that neither tho ground coffee nor the liquid can come in con tact with any motal. When porcohtting

is completed the top section is lifted off and the beverage poured from the lower container as from a water bottle. This lower section also lifts free of tho base, leaving a handy little stove foi» other uses. Complete electric ranges for permanent installation in the kitchen require considerable current to operate, and for this reason their use has not ' yet become general. However, recent improvements have made them more economical. Advantages afld Expense. There are so many advantages in cooking by electricity that these should bo weighed against the ono

drawback of expense. Meats lose le«s weight in the process of cooking 5 foods are not burned, half'CoeJied or overdone. Each operation, in fact, can bo tjmed accurately, bp close regulation of the heat is possible and can be accomplished easily. The heat is coneentra-

tod where seeded instead of being thrown out into the room, and automatic devices cut off the current in the absence of the cook. Besides, there is no fuel to be handled, and there are no ashes to be removed, Nor are there flames of red-hot coals to present a fire risk. All of these are practical advantages, and, in addition, there is that of great convenience.

To provide a complete list of the many electrical appliances which are designed for use in the h onle would be almost endless, embracing as it does hundreds of items, from the small electric curling iron, heating pad, etc., to the electrically operated reproducing piano or pipe-organ for the entertainment of the entire family, Ouly the principal items havo been pointed out, but sufficient, perforce, to indicate the importance of this broad field and its possibilities for expansion in the future; also the many splendid merchandising opportunities which it offers. The possibilities for the sale of electrical household appliances where cheap electric power is available would appear to be almost unlimited. The utility and convenience of these electric servants generally leads to their prompt adoption, once their merits are understood. Distribution of Appliances. The generally higher wages in America, and the consequent increased purchasing power, joined to the developments in electrical supply for industrial purposos, has contributed towards making the American home the greatest user of electrical appli auces of any in the world. To the 17i million homes equipped for electrical service, additions are being made at the rate of about 1£ million yearly, Electric household labour-saving appliances have been adopted in great profusion, and estimates for 1927 give the numbers in use in the United States as follows: — Electric Irons .. . ■ 13,500,000 Vacuum Cleaners .. 11,000,000 llothes Washers .. .. 4,750,000 Electric Fans .. •. 4,(500,000 Toasters .. .. 4,500,000 leaters .. .. 8,300,000 Electric Ranges .. 600,000 Cloctric Refrigerator • .. 300,000 'roning Machines • • 300,000

ON THE FARM.

40DERN MECHANISATION. While so far only limited progress I the real electrification of agricultre has been made, electricity has conributcd immensely in a secondary my to the mechanisation of tke farm, lie millions of motor-cars, trucks and [•actors used by farmers throughout lie world are produced almost entirely •y electric power. Farm machinery of II kinds is produced by electric motor' riven machine tools. In fact, every lanufactured thing that a farmer buys or his home, in his farm buildings, nd in his paddocks, is produced largely r wholly by electricity.

Practically all of tho olectricity used n farms is used in the homes, much is it is in tho cities, and in and about the farm buildings. The work in tho home itself is lightened and mado more pleasant by electric lights and domestic appliances. The farm work is accomplished more quickly, more safely, and in many cases, better, by means of electric power, electric heat, and electric refrigeration. Water Supply and Electric Pumps. A healthy growth of crops is, in many districts, dependent on an artificial supply of water. Where an irrigation scheme is naeded, electric motors are available to drive, tho pumps. The process of irrigation has been simplified, and its fiost lowered by the application of electricity, especially for the farmer with a small holding. The electric motor is dependable, and always ready; it can be run for months at a time without cessation, and it has the great advantage of remote control, for it can be stopped and started from a point that m&y bo several miles away. When tho crops are being harvested there is again much work that can be done by electric power. The motor may be applied to do tho lifting work for stackers, to driving threshing machines, to' out and lift ensilage and so on. Though 09 large areas some work has been done in the direction of electric farm transport, and even cultivation, this application is still largely expert mental. Not every farm ha& handy to its sheds and yards a natural supply of funning water, and without it provision ha# to be made for pumping. Horses, sheep, cattle and poultry must be provided with an ample supply, An electrically driven pumn will do the work at small cost, and at the same time as it supplies water for the stock will supply what is needed for the house. Milking Machines. The use of milking machines is so universal in New Zealand that there is no need to advocate the use of power milking as opposed to hand milking, but with the ever, in creasing area covered by the reticulation lines of the various power boards, the use of electric power to drive the machines is becoming more and more the standard practice, An advantage is that there is no need to maintain supplies of fuel, or to st&rt pojd motors in the early morning. On large dairy farms supply' ..ing milk for the cities, electrically operated refrigeration systems ean be employed, by which much labour is saved wxfch electric bottle washers and fillers. As an immediate outcome of the application of electricity to milking sheds, is the use of electric light for _ the shed itself and for farm buildings generally, so that the bright lights of the sheds at the early morning and evening milking hours have become a feature of the country, Electric lights in the poultry-house, especially in countries Buffering from exceptionally severe winters, can increase profits because of the stimulation of egg production. Electric heat is the best for incubators, because jt lends itself go readily to close regulation, while electric fans aire being used to provide ventilation and an even temperature in egg Chambers.

Tools Occasional Uses. Electricity places at the hands of the farmer many tools for making repairs to his farm implements and vehicles. A motor connected to a short line shaft is a good investment and will drive a grindstone, emery wheel, saw bench, drill and lathe. Portable electric drille are algo a great convenience, aud the electrics soldering iroa finds waoy valuable applications. Farther «P e § '?? electric motor stfay be found is U& adaptation to shearing inaeinaee g-s4 fcofse clippers. The farmer is certainly at a disadvantage compared to the manufacturer whan it cornea to applying his power at the exact place where it ia needed. Manufacturing processes may be con* centrated within a single building, and the work is continuous throughout the year. The farmer, on the other hand, Ms only an intermittent u«e for power.

METEORS AND STATIC.

EFFECT ON ATMOSPHERE. A few years ago a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society advanced a theory to tho effect that meteors aro among tho causes of atmospherics in radio reception. Nothing has been heard of tho idea recently, and the .question remains whether it lias been morel.y left to die out, or whether Jistencrs havo tested it and found it without substantiation. Meteors aro very swift-moving tilings, averaging a velocity of closo upon 30 miles per second, while somo of tho really large ones reach 90 miles per second. lb should not bo overlooked that their relative velocity is very much increased if they aro moving in a'direction opposite to that of tho earth. Jt is their thrift rush through tho air which, it is suggested, "generates a considerable amount of electro-magnetic energy, with an intensive ionisation of tho atmosphere throughout a patli perhaps 50 miles long." Fifty miles, however, is by no means tho maximum length of a meteor's luminous path through tho sky. Toward tho end of 1917 two meteors had paths of 80 and 7o miles in length respectively, while in 1913 a multiple meteor passed over Canada and tho United States and was traced over a distance oF 2GOO miles. These facts illustrate tho tremendous velocity and distance of Hight of these bodies which are classified under tho general heading of mctoors, but which can bo classified as shooting stars, which belong to tho smallest class, fireballs, which aro larger and brighter, and meteorites, which aro tho largest of all, weighing sometimes many tons. Contribution to tlie Problem. From this it will bo seen that tho problem of "atmospherics" is mado much iiKK'o interesting by the suggestion that meteors aro partly responsible for them. Again, added interest is given to tho problem by tho fact that meteors become visible when just above the licavisido layer, aud disappear not far below it. It seems not at all unlikely that tho ceaseless passago of these swiftly-moving bodies through that part of *tho atmosphere should have tho effect of causing some interference in radio reception. It has been calculated that more than a million fireballs appear every year aud aro visiblo from ono part or another of the earth. As for the tiny shooting stars, they literally rain down upon tho earth and their combined effect upon wireless must surely bo something to bo reckoned with. The difficulty is to identify the occurrence of interference with the occurrence of meteorological disturbances. It is possible, however, to be on the alert, for thero aro certain nights when well-recognised meteoric showers aro due. These aro regular in their appearance, and aro known to any with an acquaintance with astronomy.