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Letter from Joseph
Henry
to Alexander Graham Bell, April 29, 1875
Copy of a
letter written in 1875 by Joseph
Henry, Secretary
of the Smithsonian Institution, to Alexander Graham Bell, that is of
value
in that Professor Henry writes: "I think your experiments are new and
that
they offer the true explanation of the phenomenon you have
observed."
(Original
letter in "Dr. Bell's Room" in
"Biographical
Material"). | |
| Washington,
April
29th 1875 A.
Graham Bell, Salem,
Mass. Dear
Sir: Your
letter of April 2nd was duly received but a press
of business has
prevented an earlier reply. I think your experiments
are new and that they offer the
true explanation
of the phenomenon you have observed. Many years ago I made a series of
experiments, with the late Mr. Jos. Saxton, with a galvanic trough of
about
60 cells; the current of which produced a light between two carbon
points.
When an image of this light was thrown on the ceiling, by means of a
rapidly
revolving mirror placed obliquely to the axis of rotation which was
perpendicular
to the horizon a circle of light was produced not entirely continuous
of
the same intensity, but marked with brighter and lighter shades
indicating
pulsatory action in the current. This fact appears to have a bearing on
the phenomenon you have observed. Very
truly yours, JOSEPH
HENRY
Sect. S. I.
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