Tanning, Electric.
The tanning of hides in the manufacture of leather by the aid of
electrolysis. A current of electricity is maintained through the tanning
vats in which regular tanning liquor is contained. Very extraordinary
claims are made for the saving of time in the tanning process. What is
ordinarily a process of several months, and sometimes of a year, is said
to be reduced to one occupying a few days only. The action of
electrolysis is the one relied on to explain the results.
Tapper.
The key used in single needle telegraph transmitters. It comprises two
flat springs L, E, each with a handle, normally pressed upward against
one contact bar Z, and when pressed down by the operator making contact
against a lower bar C when messages are to be transmitted. A double
tapper, such as shown, is used for each instrument.
Synonyms--Double Tapper Key--Pedal Key.
Fig. 311. TAPPER.
Target, Electric.
A target registering or indicating electrically upon an annunciator the
point of impact of each bullet.
Taste, Galvanic.
The effect produced upon the gustatory nerves by the passage of an
electric current, or by the maintenance of potential difference between
two portions of the tongue. It is very simply produced by placing a
silver coin above, and a piece of zinc below the tongue, or the reverse,
and touching their edges. A sour, peculiar taste is at once perceived.
It cannot be due to any measurable quantity of current or of
electrolytic decomposition, because the couple can do little more than
establish a potential difference. With a strong current the taste
becomes too strong for comfort, and if on a telegraph line the extra
currents produced by the signaling make the operation of tasting the
current a very unpleasant one. It is said that messages have been
received in this way, the receiver placing one terminal of the line on
his tongue, and a terminal attached to a grounded wire below it, and
then receiving the Morse characters by taste.