Tesla's Achievements in Vacuum Tube Lighting

The Electrical Review has from the outset closely followed the promising work of Nikola Tesla. We had the privilege of announcing in 1886, for the first time, Tesla's investigations in a system of electric lighting. Early in 1888 we were the first to announce his epochal discovery of the multiphase system of power transmission, and since that time it has been our pleasant duty to keep our readers well informed on the various subjects of his important researches, of which we only mention his latest contributions to the great discoveries of Roentgen, which were exclusively published in our columns. It is, therefore, no small satisfaction for us to now first record another significant advance of this indefatigable worker. Ever since Tesla showed in his memorable lecture before the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, five years ago, the fascinating experiments with vacuum tubes, he has untiringly labored on, simplifying and improving his methods, not for a moment diverted by other tasks — nor even discouraged by so great a calamity as the recent destruction of his laboratory — from the problem of producing an efficient and practical system of electrical illumination.

No more impressive result of Tesla's earnest efforts could be shown than that which is outlined in our present issue. The portrait of the great inventor, which, especially in view of the extraordinary way in which it was obtained will not fail to interest the scientific world, is a striking illustration of what he has done. Surely, since he has produced a vacuum tube which is capable of supplying any volume of light desired, even more than a powerful are light, we can not hesitate to express our positive conviction that the introduction of a more perfect illuminant is near at hand.