Water Power in Switzerland.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLII, Issue 8, 24 February 1909, Page 54

Water Power in Switzerland.

Switzerland produces no coal and no iron. In the manufacture of machinery ■the raw material is nearly all brought from Germany, which also supplies the greater part of the coal. The tools used nn the machine shops, however, are, for the most part, made in America. The country has an enormous amount of •water power, however, and in its development the Swiss have gained a prominence in the water turbine work fthrougirout the world, one linn being called up to design the original water which was installed at Niagara Lails. Hand in hand with this turbine development, practically the superlative in electrical engineering has been attained. and to-day Swiss machinery is being sent to all parts of the world. The Swiss are able to maintain their position only through their superior itcchnival knowledge, for which they are indebted to their engineering institutions. In their vast experience they lay claim io being the first to develop the transmission of electrical power over long distances, and it is believed that Before long all the Swiss state railways ■wil. be working under electrical power. A*