A retrospective view down the vista of centuries reveals by contrast the\ncomplexity with which artificial light is woven into human activities of\nthe present time. Written history fails long before the primitive races\nare reached, but it is safe to trust the imagination to penetrate the\nfog of unwritten history and find early man huddled in his cave as\ndaylight wanes. Impelled by the restless spirit of progress, this\nprimitive being grasped the opportunity which fire afforded to extend\nhis activities beyond the boundaries of daylight. The crude art upon the\nwalls of his cave was executed by the flame of a smoking fagot. The fire\non the ledge at the entrance to his abode became a symbol of home, as\nthe fire on the hearth has symbolized home and hospitality throughout\nsucceeding ages. The accompanying light and the protection from cold\ncombined to establish the home circle. The ties of mated animals\nexpanded through these influences to the bonds of family. Thus light was\nwoven early into family life and has been throughout the ages a\nmoralizing and civilizing influence. To-day the residence functions as a\nhome mainly under artificial light, for owing to the conditions of\nliving and working, the family group gathers chiefly after daylight has\nfailed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
From the pine knot of primitive man to the wonderfully convenient\nlight-sources of to-day there is a great interval, consisting, as\nappears retrospectively, of small and simple steps long periods apart.\nMeasured by present standards and achievements, development was slow at\nfirst and modern man may be inclined to impatience as he views the\nhistory of light and human progress. But the achievements of early\ncenturies, which appear so simple at the present time, were really great\naccomplishments when considered in the light of the knowledge of those\nremote periods. Science as it exists to-day is founded upon proved\nfacts. The scientist, equipped with a knowledge of physical and chemical\nlaws, is led by his imagination into the darkness of the unexplored\nunknown. This knowledge illuminates the pathway so that hypotheses are\nintelligently formed. These evolve into theories which are gradually\naltered to fit the accumulating facts, for along the battle area of\nprogress there are innumerable scouting-parties gaining secrets from\nnature. These are supported by individuals and by groups, who verify,\namplify, and organize the facts, and they in turn are followed by\ninventors who apply them. Liaison is maintained at all points, but the\nattack varies from time to time. It may be intense at certain places and\nother sectors may be quiet for a time. There are occasional reverses,\nbut the whole line in general progresses. Each year witnesses the\nacquirement of new territory. It is seen that through the centuries\nthere is an ever-growing momentum as knowledge, efficiency, and\norganization increase the strength of this invading army of scientists\nand inventors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The burning sticks 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some Graphics Transcend Into Art<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n
The end is not in sight and perhaps never will be. The unexplored region\nextends to infinity and, judged by the past, the momentum of discovery\nwill continue to increase for ages to come, unless the human race decays\nthrough the comfort and ease gained from utilizing the magic secrets\nwhich are constantly being wrested from nature. Among the achievements\nof science and invention, the production and application of artificial\nlight ranks high. As an influence upon civilization, no single\nachievement surpasses it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Without artificial light, mankind would be comparatively inactive about\none half its lifetime. To-day it has been fairly well established that\nthe human organism can flourish on eight hours’ sleep in a period of\ntwenty-four hours. Another eight hours spent in work should settle man’s\nobligation to the world. The remaining hours should be his own.\nArtificial light has made such a distribution of time possible. The\nworking-periods in many cases may be arranged in the interests of\neconomy, which often means continuous operations. The sun need not be\nconsidered when these operations are confined to interiors or localized\noutdoors.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 … <\/p>\n