The Colburn Electric Manufacturing Company

~ 160 Main Street, Fitchburg ~
1883, 1890 and 1891

Credit for the article and images below - The Cornell University Library - Digital Collection
[ The Manufacturer and builder / Volume 15, Issue 10, October 1883 ] Page(s) 225
( Please Note - This is a re-write of the above article )

The Colburn System of Electric Lighting ( published 1883 )

The interest that has for the past ten years or more been taken in the subject of electricity in its various
applications to the arts, so far from diminishing, is apparently on the increase. It has taken apparently a firm
hold upon popular favor, and a casual examination of the records of the patent office will show that it has enlisted
in its service the talent of an army of inventors. The result of this almost universal interest in this fascinating
branch of science during the period named, when measured by the actual advance that has been made in its applications
to useful purposes, has been most satisfactory. The telephone, and the dynamo machine with its modifications adapting
it for lighting or electroplating, have together worked a revolution within that brief period; and the development of
the application of electricity as a motive force on the large scale, is one of the impending achievements that is doubt-
less destined to work as great an industrial revolution before the close of the present century as did steam at the close
of the last. The progress that has been made in the practical application of electric lighting, which more particularly
concerns us here, has been most decided. There is still much to be accomplished in respect to increasing the economy of
the so-called incandescent system of lighting; but the arc system has been developed to a high degree of excellence, This
statement will hardly need to be proved to our readers in view of the fact that the evidence is to be seen about them in
almost every city, town and village in the country; so that it may safely be affirmed of the electric light, as represented
by this system, that it has come to stay. Indeed, the superiority of the electric light as compared with gas, in point of
purity and in point of wholesomeness, in that it does not vitiate the atmosphere by depriving it of oxygen, and heat it so
as to render confined spaces intolerable after a few hours, and in point of safety, is unmistakable; and its adoption for
the lighting of public highways, public halls, theaters, hotels, mill and factory buildings, stores, etc., is so rapidly
increasing that it bids fair in a few years to become almost universal.

We illustrate and describe herewith an excellent system of arc lighting, devised and put in operation by I. W. Colburn & Co
of Fitchburg. Mass., which possesses a number of points of special merit in respect to the question of economy and character
of light afforded. The general construction and winding of the dynamo manufactured by the company for lighting purposes,
is such as to produce currents of less intensity and of greater quantity than are commonly employed by the other forms of
the generator; and as a result, the makers claim no liability to severe shocks, the ability to employ shorter arcs, and to
obtain an extremely white light, with the total absence of the purplish tint so often observed in high tension currents
and long arcs.

Fig. 1 shows the form of the Colburn dynamo used for lighting.
The construction is simple and compact, the frame consisting of a strong iron case carrying the electro-magnets, so
disposed as to point towards the center. The frame being cast in one piece, insures ample strength and security against
loss of alignment in setting up. The makers lay claim to a superior form of armature, of entirely new pattern. The vent-
illation of the machine is affirmed to be thorough, so that when the machine is run at proper speed heating will not take
place, thus avoiding a source of considerable loss of power, and of rapid deterioration of the machine, to which many
forms of dynamos are unfortunately liable. Furthermore, the makers claim that by their disposition of the electro-magnets,
the armature is constantly maintained in a strong magnetic field, a disposition which accomplishes a high economy of power.
The lamps, which are of graceful design, are constructed with especial view to casting as few shadows as possible, have an
iron frame-work with a clamp for holding the negative carbon at the bottom, also screws and a base plate for clamping and
holding the glass globe. Surmounting the frame-work is an iron case containing the regulating mechanism, which is simple,
durable and reliable. It contains no clockwork, but the arc is regulated and maintained by the current itself, so long as
it continues to flow. The positive carbon is fed downward by the force of gravity as fast as the carbons are consumed.

The positive carbon is prevented, by an electro-magnet, from coming in contact with the negative while the current is
flowing through the lamp. In case they come in too close proximity, the positive carbon is at once automatically raised
to the proper distance. The lamps are so designed that any number may be operated independently of the others in the
circuit. Each lamp has an automatic switch and cut-out, which, in case trouble exists, or when the carbons are consumed
so much as to endanger the carbon holders, will immediately cut itself out of circuit. The glass globe insures parties
from any danger from inflammable substances coming in contact with the electric arc. Each lamp is provided with two screw
cups for connecting the conducting wire, and these are properly marked, so there can be no mistake in connecting them.
The foregoing description of the Colburn company's lighting system will suffice to give our readers a fair idea of its
salient features. It appears to be well and intelligently devised to meet the requirements of practice. The same company
manufactures dynamos for electroplating, embodying the same general principles of construction, but with the necessary
modifications to adapt them to furnishing the currents of great quantity and low intensity for this species of service.
Special details not covered in this article may be had by communicating with the company at the above address.

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This advertisement for the company was printed in 1890.

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