The oxygen pipe necessary to carry the gas under pressure need not
exceed an inch and a half in diameter to supply 5,000 lamps of 2,000
candle power each. The only reason why this burner has not been further
perfected and placed upon the market is because of the continual
preoccupation of Prof. Lowe in other lines of invention, and the amount
of attention required by his large business interests. Besides, the
field for its usefulness has been limited, as cheap fuel gas has only
just begun to be generally introduced. Now, however, that extensive
preparations are being made for the rapid introduction of the Lowe fuel
gas system into various cities, this burner will receive sufficient
attention to shortly complete it for general use in large quantities. It
is a more powerful and at the same time a softer light than is the
electric incandescent or the arc light. The light-giving property of a
burner of 1,000 candle power would not cost more than one cent for ten
hours' lighting, and the cylinder would only require to be changed once
a week; whereas the carbons of arc lights are changed daily. The cost of
the gas required to maintain such a lamp ten hours would be six cents,
allowing the same profit on the gas as when it is sold for other heating
purposes. The lamps complete will cost much less than the present
electric lamps, and after allowing a large profit to companies supplying
them, will not cost consumers more than one-fourth as much as arc lamps,
and will give a much clearer and steadier light.

Since Prof. Lowe perfected his first incandescent burner great progress
has been made in this line of invention, and it is no wonder that the
attention of the whole gas fraternity of the country has been drawn to
the subject of cheap fuel water gas, which is so admirably adapted to
all purposes of heat, light, and power.