Other notable events in February of the various years covered in the review follow:1847, Feb. 10. Thomas Alva Edison born in Milan, Ohio.1879. An Austrian railway adopted an electromagnetic ticket counter to indicate the number of passengers going by the various trains; electric lights were first used to illuminate rock salt mines in England. 1880. Talc saucers were put under the electric lights in the British Museum after a hot piece of carbon fell and burned a hole in the blotting pad. The London Electrician, commenting on Edisons light, said: It still seems to us that the scientific opinion of Europe is practically unanimous that Edison has failed. In fact, we have not heard of one solitary individual possessing any standing in Europe who has expressed the opinion that Edison has succeeded.1881. Electric lights were placed on steamers on the Guadalquivir, in Spain, navigation dangers having suspended night movements; a movement was started to make the New York elevated railroads install electric signals.1882. The Spanish Army adopted an electric device, invented by M. Cazala to prevent conscripts from bending their knees to detract from their height, a bell ringing as long as the individual stood upright; a church at Troy, NY installed electric lights; a census showed that only sixty four persons were engaged in electrical work in London, comprising electricians, electric light engineers, electrotypers, and electroplaters.1883. The Board of Aldermen of Boston authorized the illumination of the city by electricity; Professor Edgerton of the Franklin Institute announced that electric light would not produce tan or freckles; the Brush Company challenged the United States Electric Light Company to a public test of systems in Louisville, the lower to pay $1,000 toward the expenses of the exhibition and $4,000 to the Polytechnic Society of Kentucky; the City Council of Los Angeles voted to install electric lights in the streets. 1884. The Citizens Association of Chicago asked all theatre proprietors to install electric lights; an electric coal cutter was invented; rapid development of th industry was reported in Java, where the palace of the Sultan of Djokjakarta was illuminated, and the Prince of Soerakarta planned to follow suit; the Mayor of Boston in his annual message said; The number of electric lamps now in use has been increased during the past year to 381. An electric lamp costs $237.25 per annum, a gas lamp $34. The demand for the electric light is constantly increasing, and if it is to be satisified the cost of lighting streets, which now amounts to about a half million dollars per annum, must be greatly increased if not double. The electric light must be regarded as a luxury and not as a necessity. I question whether a proper regard for the interests of the city will warrant its general use.