Description:

GEORGE F. BARKER - ELECTRIC LIGHT PIONEER
(1835–1910) American physician and scientist. Barker, a friend an colleague of Thomas Edison, undertook experiments to produce electric light by passing the current through a resisting filament which he claimed was "the first steady electric light generated in Pittsburgh, if not in the country". FIVE YEARS BEFORE EDISON'S LIGHT BULB, THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA IS ELECTRICALLY ILLUMINATED Fine content A.L.S., 2pp. 8vo., "University of Pennsylvania", Philadelphia, Dec. 15, 1873. In part: "...I ordered two Gramme machines [DC generators]...but these are small hand machines...I also ordered for this Institution one of the large machines to give me the electric light...the magneto are electro-magnets...to suit electro-deposition, you need a different coil...". Very good. Fascinating in that here Barker is actually powering electric lighting five years before Edison would perfect his carbon filament!

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May 25, 2016 10:30 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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