PROGRESS OF SCIENCE

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 100, 2 May 1929, Page 13

PROGRESS OF SCIENCE

A DRAMATISATION

(From "Tho Post's' Representative)

NEW YORK, 17th March.

The technique of the theatre was enlisted here when 1000 persons at a dinner o£ the American Institute witnessed a dramatisation of the progress of science during the last year. Sound became visible; light was made audible; artificial lightning flashed; a small machine developed 500,000 volts, shattering radium atoms; a lathe demonstrated a material exceeded in hardness by diamonds only; Jupiter rotated in motion-pictures taken at the Lick Observatory.

Radio photo transmission was demonstrated. Mystic properties of the Cathode ray, which segregates individual electrons, were displayed by the Lenard tube, which causes metals to glow and solidify gases. An electro-magnet, energised with thermo-current, was shown. A new spectroscope, using a quartz instrument for ultra-violet ray tests, measured degrees of radiant heat. The blush of a musical comedy actress present was utilised in this test.

How sound may be seen and light heard was demonstrated with a machine employIng the perfected photo-electric tube, electric pick-up, and recent developments in amplifiers.

A beam of light swung about the darkened room till it came in contact with a mirror. Then the light broke into music by a process o£ "harrow-casting"—a word recently coined to differentiate it from radio-broadcasting. When the light left t-hs target the music stopped. In the demonstration, phonograph records were used with the sending apparatus. The energy was sent along the light beam to transforming and reproducing elements, mounted on a tripod. The demonstrator regulated the flow of. music by placing his hand in the piith of tho light. When be blocked the liclit tho music stopped; it incicMsrd or diminished as lie opened or closed his fingers.

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