All About Inventions and Discoveries
The Romance of modern scientific and mechanical Achievements

228 All About Inventions trie light,” because thereby it was rendered possible to produce an artificial fibre, made from cellulose, which subsequently was proved to be the ideal material for the filament. Incidentally it may be mentioned that in consummating this great achievement for in- candescent electric lighting Swan also laid the basis of another industry which to-day has reached enor- mous proportions—the manufacture of artificial silk. Swan’s discovery sealed the commercial success of universal electric illumination, because his later improvements rendered it possible to produce a fila- ment of exceeding fineness and uniformity. Thus a degree of economy which had never before been attain- able was reached in the distribution of electricity, which led to the extension of the range of lighting from central supply stations. Consequently Swan is entitled to the distinction of being the father of the modern idea of distributing electricity from central points, in the manner of water and gas. In 1881 Edison, considering that the conditions were ripe for the exploitation of his discovery in Europe, planned the invasion of Paris and London. The Edison plant was placed near Holborn Viaduct, and the adjacent thoroughfares, together with the City Temple and part of the General Post Office, were electrically illuminated. In the furore which was created Swan appears to have been overlooked, the lamps which he had invented failing to claim pro- nounced attention. In Paris the Edison installation at the Exhibition created a wild excitement, the American inventor becoming the hero of the hour. Britain is prone to ignore her own inventors, and in this instance the axiom of the prophet and his