Artificial Light | Page 3

man's most important and educative sense. By
extinguishing the light and pondering upon his helplessness in the
resulting darkness, man may gain an idea of its overwhelming
importance. Those unfortunate persons who suffer the terrible calamity
of blindness after years of dependence upon sight will testify in
heartrending terms to the importance of light. Milton, whose eyesight
had failed, laments,
O first created beam and thou great Word "Let there be light," and light
was over all, Why am I thus bereaved thy prime decree?
Perhaps only through a similar loss would one fully appreciate the
tremendous importance of light to him, but imagination should be
capable of convincing him that it is one of the most essential and
pleasure-giving phenomena known to mankind.
A retrospective view down the vista of centuries reveals by contrast the
complexity with which artificial light is woven into human activities of
the present time. Written history fails long before the primitive races
are reached, but it is safe to trust the imagination to penetrate the fog of
unwritten history and find early man huddled in his cave as daylight

wanes. Impelled by the restless spirit of progress, this primitive being
grasped the opportunity which fire afforded to extend his activities
beyond the boundaries of daylight. The crude art upon the walls of his
cave was executed by the flame of a smoking fagot. The fire on the
ledge at the entrance to his abode became a symbol of home, as the fire
on the hearth has symbolized home and hospitality throughout
succeeding ages. The accompanying light and the protection from cold
combined to establish the home circle. The ties of mated animals
expanded through these influences to the bonds of family. Thus light
was woven early into family life and has been throughout the ages a
moralizing and civilizing influence. To-day the residence functions as a
home mainly under artificial light, for owing to the conditions of living
and working, the family group gathers chiefly after daylight has failed.
From the pine knot of primitive man to the wonderfully convenient
light-sources of to-day there is a great interval, consisting, as appears
retrospectively, of small and simple steps long periods apart. Measured
by present standards and achievements, development was slow at first
and modern man may be inclined to impatience as he views the history
of light and human progress. But the achievements of early centuries,
which appear so simple at the present time, were really great
accomplishments when considered in the light of the knowledge of
those remote periods. Science as it exists to-day is founded upon
proved facts. The scientist, equipped with a knowledge of physical and
chemical laws, is led by his imagination into the darkness of the
unexplored unknown. This knowledge illuminates the pathway so that
hypotheses are intelligently formed. These evolve into theories which
are gradually altered to fit the accumulating facts, for along the battle
area of progress there are innumerable scouting-parties gaining secrets
from nature. These are supported by individuals and by groups, who
verify, amplify, and organize the facts, and they in turn are followed by
inventors who apply them. Liaison is maintained at all points, but the
attack varies from time to time. It may be intense at certain places and
other sectors may be quiet for a time. There are occasional reverses, but
the whole line in general progresses. Each year witnesses the
acquirement of new territory. It is seen that through the centuries there
is an ever-growing momentum as knowledge, efficiency, and

organization increase the strength of this invading army of scientists
and inventors.
The burning fagot rescued mankind from the shackles of darkness, and
the grease-lamp and tallow-candle have done their part. Progress was
slow in those early centuries because the great minds of those ages
philosophized without a basis of established facts: scientific progress
resulted more from an accumulation of accidental discoveries than by a
directed attack of philosophy supported by the facts established by
experiment. It was not until comparatively recent times, at most three
centuries ago, that the great intellects turned to systematically
organized scientific research. Such men as Newton laid the foundation
for the tremendous strides of to-day. The store of facts increased and as
the attitude changed from philosophizing to investigating, the
organized knowledge grew apace. All of this paved the way for the
momentous successes of the present time.
The end is not in sight and perhaps never will be. The unexplored
region extends to infinity and, judged by the past, the momentum of
discovery will continue to increase for ages to come, unless the human
race decays through the comfort and ease gained from utilizing the
magic secrets which are constantly being wrested from nature. Among
the achievements of science and invention, the production and
application of artificial