Page:Fifty years hence, or, What may be in 1943 - a prophecy supposed to be based on scientific deductions by an improved graphical method (IA fiftyyearshenceo00grim).pdf/55

 The wind and the lightning are in the same way harnessed to do man's bidding; so that each storm contributes to public wealth to an extent greater than the damage it works.

Lightning is no longer a source of danger. The electric and other connections of the building render an injurious shock impossible; and where it does strike any building in the protected circuit, the charge is stored to be used for domestic purposes, such as driving the passenger and goods elevators in the house, or furnishing light and heat.

Welding is accomplished by electricity, on a large scale. Not only are ordinary masses of steel so made one, but the hulls, masts and yards of steel vessels are thus welded together electrically, so that there is no possibility of a seam "giving," nor of a leak taking place. Steel bridge-members being similarly electrically welded together, the danger from such bridges giving way is reduced to an insignificant minimum.

Primary batteries generate an electric current by chemical action upon coal, without the production of heat or odor; so that the steam-engine is seldom needed, and, indeed, in many places as