Swoope's Lessons in practical electricity

Front matter

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V

Preface

The original edition of this book was written by Mr. C. Walton Swoope in 1900 primarily for the use of the evening classes in practical electricity at the Spring Garden Institute of Philadelphia. These classes were composed of young men engaged in various occupations who desired to obtain a working knowledge of the principles and arithmetic of applied electricity. It was deemed best to divide the instruction between the lecture room and the laboratory, and accordingly the book was prepared to combine the principles of electricity, the experimental demonstration of these principles, and the methods used in practical electrical measurements and calculations, with completely solved illustrations. The educational success attained at the Institute and at many other schools using this book has shown how well the author has solved the difficult problem of teaching electricity to the beginner.

The book is also particularly adapted for self-study to those who desire electrical education; this has been amply demon= strated by its tremendous sale to individuals.

Since the author's death in October, 1901, the book has been occasionally revised and enlarged by his former student, assistant and successor at the Spring Garden Institute, the fate Harry Noyes Stillman. Many men who to-day rank high in their professions owe their start and much of their success to the inspiring instruction and friendly advice of Mr. Stillman.

The present enlarged and completely rewritten edition was commenced in 1918 by Mr. Stillman and myself, and was nearly completed at the time of his death in May, 1920. Some of the lessons have been merged and others strengthened, and all have been revised in keeping with the great advances made in electrical engineering. Three new lessons have been added, namely: Alternating-current Apparatus and Machinery, Aliv PREFACE

ternating-current Motors, and Radio Signaling. The lastmentioned lesson was prepared by Mr. Charles R. Underhill, recently Captain in the U. S. Air Service, who acknowledges his indebtedness for the data on Direction Finding to Mr, Herbert B. Basse tt. Thanks are extended to the various manufacturing companies of electrical apparatus for supplying the cuts of the devices and apparatus herein illustrated.

E. Hausmann.