e
telegraphy and other scientific achievement. The second was to George
Westinghouse for the air-brake. The third was to Alexander Graham Bell
for the invention and introduction of the telephone. The award to Edison
was not only for his inventions in duplex and quadruplex telegraphy, and
for the phonograph, but for the development of a commercially practical
incandescent lamp, and the development of a complete system of electric
lighting, including dynamos, regulating devices, underground system,
protective devices, and meters. Great as has been the genius brought
to bear on electrical development, there is no other man to whom such a
comprehensive tribute could be paid.

CHAPTER XV

INTRODUCTION OF THE EDISON ELECTRIC LIGHT

IN the previous chapter on the invention of a system, the narrative has
been carried along for several years of activity up to the verge of the
successful and commercial application of Edison's ideas and devices
for incandescent electric lighting. The story of any one year in this
period, if treated chronologically, would branch off in a great many
different directions, some going back to earlier work, others forward to
arts not yet within the general survey; and the effect of such treatment
would be confusing. In like manner the development of the Edison
lighting system followed several concurrent, simultaneous lines of
advance; and an effort was therefore made in the last chapter to give
a rapid glance over the whole movement, embracing a term of nearly five
years, and including in its scope both the Old World and the New. What
is necessary to the completeness of the story at this stage is not to
recapitulate, but to take up some of the loose ends of threads woven
in and follow them through until the clear and comprehensive picture of
events can be seen.

Some things it would be difficult to reproduce in any picture of the art
and the times. One of the greatest delusions of the public in regard
to any notable invention is the belief that the world is waiting for it
with open arms and an eager welcome. The exact contrary is the truth.
There is not a single new art or device the world has ever enjoyed of
which it can be said that it was given an immediate and enthusiastic
reception. The way of the inventor is hard. He can sometimes raise
capital to help him in working out his crude conceptions, but even then
it is frequently done at a distressful cost of personal surrender. When
the result