Curiosities of Science, Past and Present / A Book for Old and Young

by John Timbs

CONSUMPTION OF THE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

It is singular to see how this telegraphic agency is measured by the chemical consumption of zinc and acid. Mr. Jones (who has written a work upon the Electric Telegraphs of America) estimates that to work 12,000 miles of telegraph about 3000 zinc cups are used to hold the acid: these weigh about 9000 lbs., and they undergo decomposition by the galvanic action in about six months, so that 18,000 lbs. of zinc are consumed in a year. There are also about 3600 porcelain cups to contain nitric acid; it requires 450 lbs. of acid to charge them once, and the charge is renewed every fortnight, making about 12,000 lbs. of nitric acid in a year.