CONTENTS
Reading edition
PAGE
CHAPTER I WHAT THE STORY IS ABOUT
The Scribe introduces the Electron to the reader. He has something to say also about the mysterious æther which pervades all space. He emphasises the fact that the electron is a real existing thing 21
CHAPTER II THE ELECTRON'S PREFACE
The Electron explains the reason why it has written its autobiography 29
CHAPTER III THE NEW ARRIVAL
The Electron points out who the new arrival is really. It relates an amusing experience. It tells how man disturbed electrons before he discovered their existence. An ancient experiment, and what the wise men of the East thought about it. How electrons are responsible for the electrification of any object. Handled by a new experimenter, they surprise man. Man becomes of special interest to the electrons 32
CHAPTER IV SOME GOOD SPORT
The Electron explains how man succeeded in crowding them together, with some rather exciting results from the overcrowding. One historical incident. Man's fear of the consequences. How a party of electrons wrecked a church steeple. An unfortunate accident 42
CHAPTER V MY EARLIEST RECOLLECTIONS
The Electron's story begins at a very far distant period, before this world had taken shape. The Electron was present when the atoms of matter were being formed. The birth of the moon. Something still to be discovered. The moulding of the planet. Boiling oceans. The electrons took an active part in making sea-water salt. The Electron explains why it has been chosen to write the story of itself and its fellows 52
CHAPTER VI MAN PAYS US SOME ATTENTION
The electrons are encouraged by one of the experiments made by man. They hope it may lead to their discovery, so that their services may be recognised. The Electron's experience in a vacuum tube. A disappointment and a revival of hope. A great declaration by one individual man. The Electron misjudges man. Mention of a great discovery. The christening of the electrons 60
CHAPTER VII A STEADY MARCH
The Electron explains how they produce the electric current. How man discovered means of making the electrons march. A simple explanation of how a complete electric circuit is always necessary. How an "earth circuit" works. How the marching electrons can do work 68
CHAPTER VIII A USEFUL DANCE
A perpetual dance. A responsible position. How the safety of the mariner depends upon the electrons' dance. How electrons produce a magnet. A convenient kind of magnet, which gains and loses its attractive power when desired. How a permanent magnet is made. The great service of electrons in modern life 76
CHAPTER IX HOW WE CARRY MAN'S NEWS
The method of sending the news. The Electron's personal experience. A series of forced marches. How man controls the electrons. How the electrons reproduce the signals 86
CHAPTER X HOW WE COMMUNICATE WITH DISTANT SHIPS
An entirely different means of communication. A surprise to man, but not to the electrons. How the electrons produce waves in the surrounding æther. How these waves disturb distant electrons. The Electron's personal experience. Its description of its actions in a wireless telegraph station 94
CHAPTER XI HOW WE REPRODUCE SPEECH
Why it is not correct to speak of the electrons as carriers of speech. The action of electrons in the working of telephones. The Electron's own experience in wireless telephony 106
CHAPTER XII OUR HEAVIEST DUTIES
A roving commission. How electrons can move gigantic cars and trains. The action of electrons in dynamos and motors. How the electrons transmit the energy. What makes the motor go 116
CHAPTER XIII A BOON TO MAN
A simple explanation of how the electrons produce light. How the Electron provides a connecting link between matter and the æther. How light reaches the earth
from the sun. How the electrons produce that beautiful luminous effect which man calls an "Aurora." How the earth has become a negatively charged body. How electrons produce radiant heat. The difference between light and heat 126
CHAPTER XIV HOW WE PRODUCE COLOUR
What colour is really. How the different colour sensations are stimulated by the electrons. The Electron as a faithful satellite to the atom. How electrons can produce the different æther waves. How the electrons respond to the different waves. The production of artificial light. Co-operation of the electrons. Man's ridiculously wasteful processes. The electrons' secret 136
CHAPTER XV WE SEND MESSAGES FROM THE STARS
The kind of messages referred to. How the electrons have informed man of what the stars are made. How man reads the electrons' wireless messages. How it is other electrons that enable man to read the messages. The real explanation of reflection of light. How light is absorbed by some objects. How some substances are transparent. Why objects appear coloured. What makes the lines in the spectra of stars. The spectroscope 144
CHAPTER XVI HOW MAN PROVED OUR EXISTENCE
How man reasoned out a plan for detecting the electron. How the electrons altered some lines in the spectrum. The curious manner in which the Electron informed man that certain stars are approaching this planet, while others are receding from it 158
CHAPTER XVII MY X-RAY EXPERIENCE
X-rays are an old story to some electrons. The Electron's personal experience. A very sudden stop. How electrons made a fluorescent screen send out light. The electrons assist the surgeon. A curious find. Detecting imitation diamonds. The Electron and the mummy 166
CHAPTER XVIII OUR RELATIONSHIP TO THE ATOMS
How the atoms of matter attract one another. What constitutes the temperature of a body. What the atoms are made of. An important thing still to discover about the atom. The elements. How the electrons produce compound substances. The real explanation of chemical changes 178
CHAPTER XIX HOW WE MADE THE WORLD TALK
It was nothing new on the part of the electrons. Exaggerated rumours. The electrons and radium. Fast-flying electrons. Atomic explosions 186
CHAPTER XX CONCLUSION
The Electron is made to sum up a few of the wonders which it has related, in order to emphasise the great services which electrons render to man 194
APPENDIX 200
INDEX 211