100 YEARS AGO

A few particulars of Mr. Nikola Tesla's new method of electric power transmission are given in the current number of the Electrical Review. From the article it appears that the invention consists in transmitting electrical power without the employment of metallic line conductors, by taking advantage of the conductivity of the rarefied air existing in the upper regions of the earth's atmosphere. ⃛ Heretofore, it has been possible, by means of the apparatus at command, to produce only moderate electrical pressures, and even these with considerable risks and difficulties. Mr Tesla, however, claims that he has devised means whereby he is enabled to generate, with safety and ease, electrical pressures measured by hundreds of thousands, and even by millions of volts.

I think perhaps it may be worth noting that apple-blossom was gathered in the neighbourhood of Exeter last week. Still more remarkable is the fact that a second crop of apples has made fair progress ⃛ [S]ome “Red Quaranders” have been gathered, nearly the size of walnuts. Two of these, now somewhat shrivelled, are enclosed.

From Nature 17 November 1898.

50 YEARS AGO

It is becoming more and more clear to most people connected with British Industry that the way out of the present economic crisis will not be by the introduction of new machines. ⃛ Among the ways which have been and are being increasingly used to add to overall efficiency is what industry has come to call ‘education and training’. Simple as this may sound, it is surprising that, even in ‘enlightened’ firms, the process of providing a man with specific training to do a job is often regarded as something which hinders rather than helps production. Engineers, of course, have to be trained; so have chemists. They may even need a four-year preliminary course before their training starts. But the semi-skilled and unskilled workers can pick up their jobs by being put alongside Joe and Tom. In the Services men are given their training before being assigned to a unit; in industry many men and women have to learn their jobs by picking up all that cannot be concealed from them.

From Nature 20 November 1948.