An Electric Incubator

Join Our Community of Science Lovers!

On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.

A successful manufacturer of incubators, Mr. George H. Stahl, of Quincy, Illinois, has recently placed on the market an incubator which is heated and regulated by electricity. In this incubator, which is shown in the accompanying illustration, it is said that the temperature can be adjusted to be held for weeks within a fraction of a degree of the desired point. The incubator casing has the usual double walls inclosing a filling of mineral wool, and the heat is supplied from the water tank at the top, the heating and setting up of a circulation in the water being effected through a small connected reservoir at one side. In the old style incubators the heating of the water was effected by a lamp, there being a lamp regulator controlling the flame, and a valve regulator acted upon by the heat of the water before entering the tank, while both regulators were actuated by an improved thermostat. In the electric incubator, or " Electric Hfm," as it is called, the water is heated by a resistance box, the current through which can be regulated with extreme nicety. The same manufacturer is now also building an incubator with a combination heater in which oil, gas or electricity may be used. - A New dar Fender. The invention of Mr. Wm. H. Altick, of Lancaster, Pa., is w arranged that the instant the front padded bar strikes a person, an inside gum roller connected with the safety netting drops automatically on the track, thus rendering it impossible for the object struck to {Jass under the fender. If a person when struck should fail to fall into the netting, and fall in front, the additional pressure of the moving car against the body would cause the front cushioned bar to drop also, and would push the body along the track until the car was stopped. The person might be bruised or otherwi8e injured, but the danger of being crushed under the wheels would be obviated.

It’s Time to Stand Up for Science

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.

I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.

If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.

In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.

There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.

Thank you,

David M. Ewalt, Editor in Chief, Scientific American