From The Smyrna Times,
Dec. 20, 1934
New motor is run by rays of sun
A new kind of motor was demonstrated to the New York Electrical Society last week that may be the beginning of utilizing the sun for power. The thing is as simple as putting four fried eggs on a dinner plate – actually a new kind of metallic scientific egg – with a wire around them attached to a motor. Hold the plate under a light, and the motor runs.
The discovery changes light directly into electric current, ordinary D.C., and seems to be the break of science into a new and perhaps practical field at the end of more than 4,000 years of searching for ways to put the power in sunshine to work.
The motor was run before a large audience by Ellis L. Manning, physicist, of the General Electric Company. Manning’s scientific “eggs” were four black discs of iron, each about twice the size of a silver dollar. Each was coated with an egg-shell thin layer of selenium, a light-sensitive metal. Over the selenium was a platinum film so thin it was semi-transparent. The secret seems to lie in this platinum coating. Although the coating cuts off much of the light from the selenium, it multiplies the electric power by 20 to 50 times.
Thief steals nearly $150 from Blackbird home
A bold robbery was perpetrated at Blackbird Friday night when a sneak thief entered the bedroom of Mr. and Mrs. B. Riley Watson, living with Mrs. Watson’s father Royden Caulk, and stole Mr. Watson’s wallet containing $146 and Mrs. Watson’s pocket book containing all the change she had.
Riley Watson is the Blackbird agent and collector for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and had been out that day collecting his weekly debit for the company. He and his wife retired early and sometime during the night, the sneak thief entered this bedroom and worked so quietly that he was able to take from Mr. Watson’s coat pocket the wallet and from Mrs. Watson’s dresser the pocketbook unnoticed. It is presumed he got out on the roof and slid down one of the posts of the store porch to make his escape. The porch window had been raised for his exit.
Mr. Watson, it is said, has made good the money to the Insurance Company, the loss falling heavily on him, especially at this Christmas season when he so much needs it. There is much indignation among his Blackbird friends over the affair.
Farm fire near Greenspring
On Friday night, the farm of Creadick Ennis near Greenspring, tenanted byWilliam Pyreck, was burned, destroying most of the building and the furniture. The loss, amounting to $1,000 or more, is partly covered by insurance. Smyrna and Clayton fire companies responded to the alarm and did good work.
Christmas lights turned on; holiday anxiously awaited
Smyrna’s Christmas street lights are up and the big community tree, sponsored by the David C. Harrison Post, No. 14, American Legion, is in the center of the square familiarly known as “the Four Corners.” The Town Hall and the Fire Hall are adorned in streamers of red and green lights and a cheery welcome to Christmas shoppers pervades the Smyrna stores and business centers, a number of the store windows having elaborate decorations.
The work of putting up the street lights was sponsored by the Business Men’s Association who this year, as ever, wanted to see Smyrna as up-to-date and enterprising as any of its sister towns. The Association had the cooperation of Smyrna Town Council and the work was done expediently, although some delay was had awaiting the Eastern Shore Public Service Company getting their two big transformers here to take care of the extra load of current occasioned by the demand for many extra lights. However, by Friday evening the lights were turned on. The fuller enjoyment of this came Saturday night when the large influx of farmers and out-of-town people came here to deal.
As Christmas approaches it is expected that residents will catch the spirit and not only decorate their home but have lighted trees in their homes or on their lawns.
Early Christmas morning, groups of carol singers will probably gather about the Community Christmas Tree as well as make the rounds of streets in town. All in all, Smyrna folks are planning for a merry Christmas, when home ties and family reunions will mark the day, and the little ones will look expectantly for Santa Claus.
American Legion plans to buy new ambulance
The David C. Harrison Post of the American Legion is planning to replace their ambulance, which has been in service for eight and a half years, with new equipment. The present machine is still serviceable for short runs, but is not dependable in times of emergency. The following committee has been appointed by Commander King to solicit for funds: W.E. Matthews Jr., E.P. Vogel and Ralph Faries.
American Stores Co. (advertisement)
Fresh roasting hams, 19¢ lb.
Mince meat, 15¢ lb.
Molasses, 2 cans, 27¢.
Victor Bread, big loaf, 7¢.
Bogsweet cranberry sauce, 15¢ can.
Fireside chocolates, 1 lb. box, 45¢.
Hershey chocolate kisses, 2 1/2 lb. box, 62¢.
ASCO coffee, 23¢ lb.
Repp’s sweet cider, 49¢ gal.
These prices effective in our stores and meat markets in Smyrna and vicinity.
Strand Theatre, Smyrna, Del. (advertisement)
Friday-Saturday, December 21-22, He rides again! George O’Brien in Zane Grey’s “The Dude Ranger.” A Fox Release.
Special Christmas Show: Marion Davis and Gary Cooper in Robert W. Chambers’ “Operator 13,” Tuesday-Wednesday, December 25-26.
