选择字号:【大】【中】【小】 | 关灯
护眼
|
CHAPTER XXVII THE VALUE OF EDISON'S INVENTIONS TO THE WORLD
关注小说网官方公众号(noveltingroom),原版名著免费领。
IF the world were to take an account of stock, so to speak, and proceed in orderly fashion to marshal its tangible1 assets in relation to dollars and cents, the natural resources of our globe, from centre to circumference2, would head the list. Next would come inventors, whose value to the world as an asset could be readily estimated from an increase of its wealth resulting from the actual transformations3 of these resources into items of convenience and comfort through the exercise of their inventive ingenuity4.
Inventors of practical devices may be broadly divided into two classes—first, those who may be said to have made two blades of grass grow where only one grew before; and, second, great inventors, who have made grass grow plentifully5 on hitherto unproductive ground. The vast majority of practical inventors belong to and remain in the first of these divisions, but there have been, and probably always will be, a less number who, by reason of their greater achievements, are entitled to be included in both classes. Of these latter, Thomas Alva Edison is one, but in the pages of history he stands conspicuously6 pre-eminent—a commanding towering figure, even among giants.
The activities of Edison have been of such great range, and his conquests in the domains7 of practical arts so extensive and varied8, that it is somewhat difficult to estimate with any satisfactory degree of accuracy the money value of his inventions to the world of to-day, even after making due allowance for the work of other great inventors and the propulsive9 effect of large amounts of capital thrown into the enterprises which took root, wholly or in part, through the productions of his genius and energies. This difficulty will be apparent, for instance, when we consider his telegraph and telephone inventions. These were absorbed in enterprises already existing, and were the means of assisting their rapid growth and expansion, particularly the telephone industry. Again, in considering the fact that Edison was one of the first in the field to design and perfect a practical and operative electric railway, the main features of which are used in all electric roads of to-day, we are confronted with the problem as to what proportion of their
点击
收听单词发音

1
tangible
![]() |
|
adj.有形的,可触摸的,确凿的,实际的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
2
circumference
![]() |
|
n.圆周,周长,圆周线 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
3
transformations
![]() |
|
n.变化( transformation的名词复数 );转换;转换;变换 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
4
ingenuity
![]() |
|
n.别出心裁;善于发明创造 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
5
plentifully
![]() |
|
adv. 许多地,丰饶地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
6
conspicuously
![]() |
|
ad.明显地,惹人注目地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
7
domains
![]() |
|
n.范围( domain的名词复数 );领域;版图;地产 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
8
varied
![]() |
|
adj.多样的,多变化的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
9
propulsive
![]() |
|
adj.推进的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
10
colossal
![]() |
|
adj.异常的,庞大的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
11
earnings
![]() |
|
n.工资收人;利润,利益,所得 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
12
collateral
![]() |
|
adj.平行的;旁系的;n.担保品 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
13
incandescent
![]() |
|
adj.遇热发光的, 白炽的,感情强烈的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
14
watt
![]() |
|
n.瓦,瓦特 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
15
proficiency
![]() |
|
n.精通,熟练,精练 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
16
shaft
![]() |
|
n.(工具的)柄,杆状物 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
17
preeminent
![]() |
|
adj.卓越的,杰出的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
18
copper
![]() |
|
n.铜;铜币;铜器;adj.铜(制)的;(紫)铜色的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
19
coppers
![]() |
|
铜( copper的名词复数 ); 铜币 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
20
countless
![]() |
|
adj.无数的,多得不计其数的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
21
noted
![]() |
|
adj.著名的,知名的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
22
persistence
![]() |
|
n.坚持,持续,存留 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
23
refinement
![]() |
|
n.文雅;高尚;精美;精制;精炼 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
24
staples
![]() |
|
n.(某国的)主要产品( staple的名词复数 );钉书钉;U 形钉;主要部份v.用钉书钉钉住( staple的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
25
enumerate
![]() |
|
v.列举,计算,枚举,数 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
26
briefly
![]() |
|
adv.简单地,简短地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
27
stimulated
![]() |
|
a.刺激的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
28
brass
![]() |
|
n.黄铜;黄铜器,铜管乐器 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
29
zinc
![]() |
|
n.锌;vt.在...上镀锌 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
30
platinum
![]() |
|
n.白金 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
31
bitumen
![]() |
|
n.沥青 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
32
boilers
![]() |
|
锅炉,烧水器,水壶( boiler的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
33
structural
![]() |
|
adj.构造的,组织的,建筑(用)的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
34
porcelain
![]() |
|
n.瓷;adj.瓷的,瓷制的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
35
slate
![]() |
|
n.板岩,石板,石片,石板色,候选人名单;adj.暗蓝灰色的,含板岩的;vt.用石板覆盖,痛打,提名,预订 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
36
machinery
![]() |
|
n.(总称)机械,机器;机构 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
37
sapphires
![]() |
|
n.蓝宝石,钢玉宝石( sapphire的名词复数 );蔚蓝色 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
38
perseverance
![]() |
|
n.坚持不懈,不屈不挠 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
39
statistical
![]() |
|
adj.统计的,统计学的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
40
affected
![]() |
|
adj.不自然的,假装的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
41
labor
![]() |
|
n.劳动,努力,工作,劳工;分娩;vi.劳动,努力,苦干;vt.详细分析;麻烦 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
42
labors
![]() |
|
v.努力争取(for)( labor的第三人称单数 );苦干;详细分析;(指引擎)缓慢而困难地运转 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
43
culminated
![]() |
|
v.达到极点( culminate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
44
embodying
![]() |
|
v.表现( embody的现在分词 );象征;包括;包含 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
45
lighting
![]() |
|
n.照明,光线的明暗,舞台灯光 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
46
undoubtedly
![]() |
|
adv.确实地,无疑地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
47
isolated
![]() |
|
adj.与世隔绝的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
48
steamships
![]() |
|
n.汽船,大轮船( steamship的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
49
annually
![]() |
|
adv.一年一次,每年 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
50
census
![]() |
|
n.(官方的)人口调查,人口普查 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
51
computed
![]() |
|
adj.[医]计算的,使用计算机的v.计算,估算( compute的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
52
decided
![]() |
|
adj.决定了的,坚决的;明显的,明确的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
53
ERECTED
![]() |
|
adj. 直立的,竖立的,笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立,建立 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
54
attained
![]() |
|
(通常经过努力)实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 ); 达到; 获得; 达到(某年龄、水平、状况) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
55
evoke
![]() |
|
vt.唤起,引起,使人想起 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
56
admiration
![]() |
|
n.钦佩,赞美,羡慕 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
57
beholder
![]() |
|
n.观看者,旁观者 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
58
devoted
![]() |
|
adj.忠诚的,忠实的,热心的,献身于...的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
59
adverse
![]() |
|
adj.不利的;有害的;敌对的,不友好的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
60
opposition
![]() |
|
n.反对,敌对 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
61
steadily
![]() |
|
adv.稳定地;不变地;持续地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
62
distinguished
![]() |
|
adj.卓越的,杰出的,著名的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
63
remains
![]() |
|
n.剩余物,残留物;遗体,遗迹 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
64
formulate
![]() |
|
v.用公式表示;规划;设计;系统地阐述 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
65
embodied
![]() |
|
v.表现( embody的过去式和过去分词 );象征;包括;包含 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
66
prodigious
![]() |
|
adj.惊人的,奇妙的;异常的;巨大的;庞大的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
67
paraphernalia
![]() |
|
n.装备;随身用品 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
68
accomplished
![]() |
|
adj.有才艺的;有造诣的;达到了的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
69
inefficient
![]() |
|
adj.效率低的,无效的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
70
adoption
![]() |
|
n.采用,采纳,通过;收养 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
71
apparatus
![]() |
|
n.装置,器械;器具,设备 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
72
legitimate
![]() |
|
adj.合法的,合理的,合乎逻辑的;v.使合法 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
73
conjecture
![]() |
|
n./v.推测,猜测 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
74
jersey
![]() |
|
n.运动衫 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
75
hood
![]() |
|
n.头巾,兜帽,覆盖;v.罩上,以头巾覆盖 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
76
dormant
![]() |
|
adj.暂停活动的;休眠的;潜伏的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
77
sentimental
![]() |
|
adj.多愁善感的,感伤的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
78
unanimity
![]() |
|
n.全体一致,一致同意 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
79
cylinders
![]() |
|
n.圆筒( cylinder的名词复数 );圆柱;汽缸;(尤指用作容器的)圆筒状物 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
80
pertain
![]() |
|
v.(to)附属,从属;关于;有关;适合,相称 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
81
standing
![]() |
|
n.持续,地位;adj.永久的,不动的,直立的,不流动的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
82
ramifications
![]() |
|
n.结果,后果( ramification的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
83
primitive
![]() |
|
adj.原始的;简单的;n.原(始)人,原始事物 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
84
inception
![]() |
|
n.开端,开始,取得学位 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
85
specially
![]() |
|
adv.特定地;特殊地;明确地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
86
forerunner
![]() |
|
n.前身,先驱(者),预兆,祖先 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
87
entails
![]() |
|
使…成为必要( entail的第三人称单数 ); 需要; 限定继承; 使必需 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
88
radical
![]() |
|
n.激进份子,原子团,根号;adj.根本的,激进的,彻底的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
89
prospects
![]() |
|
n.希望,前途(恒为复数) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
90
implored
![]() |
|
恳求或乞求(某人)( implore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
91
narrative
![]() |
|
n.叙述,故事;adj.叙事的,故事体的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
92
drawn
![]() |
|
v.拖,拉,拔出;adj.憔悴的,紧张的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
93
aggregate
![]() |
|
adj.总计的,集合的;n.总数;v.合计;集合 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
94
payroll
![]() |
|
n.工资表,在职人员名单,工薪总额 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
95
scattered
![]() |
|
adj.分散的,稀疏的;散步的;疏疏落落的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
96
entirely
![]() |
|
ad.全部地,完整地;完全地,彻底地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
97
fixtures
![]() |
|
(房屋等的)固定装置( fixture的名词复数 ); 如(浴盆、抽水马桶); 固定在某位置的人或物; (定期定点举行的)体育活动 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
98
quota
![]() |
|
n.(生产、进出口等的)配额,(移民的)限额 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
99
analogous
![]() |
|
adj.相似的;类似的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
100
allied
![]() |
|
adj.协约国的;同盟国的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
101
aggregations
![]() |
|
n.聚集( aggregation的名词复数 );集成;集结;聚集体 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
102
potent
![]() |
|
adj.强有力的,有权势的;有效力的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
103
facets
![]() |
|
n.(宝石或首饰的)小平面( facet的名词复数 );(事物的)面;方面 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
104
appreciation
![]() |
|
n.评价;欣赏;感谢;领会,理解;价格上涨 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
105
gems
![]() |
|
growth; economy; management; and customer satisfaction 增长 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
106
apprehension
![]() |
|
n.理解,领悟;逮捕,拘捕;忧虑 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
107
analyze
![]() |
|
vt.分析,解析 (=analyse) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
108
disclaim
![]() |
|
v.放弃权利,拒绝承认 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
109
deduction
![]() |
|
n.减除,扣除,减除额;推论,推理,演绎 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
110
investors
![]() |
|
n.投资者,出资者( investor的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
111
perusal
![]() |
|
n.细读,熟读;目测 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
112
quotations
![]() |
|
n.引用( quotation的名词复数 );[商业]行情(报告);(货物或股票的)市价;时价 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
113
modesty
![]() |
|
n.谦逊,虚心,端庄,稳重,羞怯,朴素 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
©英文小说网 2005-2010