"If the two wires from a battery be placed in pure water, it will be foud tat practically no current passes...If a small quantity of sulphuric acid is added to the water, the solution is a good conductor. During the passage of current, bubbles form at the ends of the wires: at the positive electrode (anode)...oxygen appear[s]; at the negative electrode (cathode) there is a rapid evolution of hydrogen." -Brownlee 1907

Electrolysis

"If the two wires from a battery be placed in pure water, it will be foud tat practically no current…

"A V-tube apparatus used for electrolysis." -Avery 1895

Electrolysis

"A V-tube apparatus used for electrolysis." -Avery 1895

"An apparatus used for electrolysis of water." -Avery 1895

Electrolysis

"An apparatus used for electrolysis of water." -Avery 1895

How electrolysis may occur in a trolley system. TT is the trolley wire, RR is the track. As shown by the arrows, the regular flow of the current should return to the rails. If there is a pipe LL that offers a steady current, it will cause the current to leave the rails (I), enter the pipe, and flow out (0). P is the powerhouse that powers the wire and trolley (C).

Electrolysis

How electrolysis may occur in a trolley system. TT is the trolley wire, RR is the track. As shown by…

"Modern apparatus for decomposing water by electrolysis." -Hawkins, 1917

Electrolysis Apparatus

"Modern apparatus for decomposing water by electrolysis." -Hawkins, 1917

"Hydrochloric acid...is placed in the tubes a. The threeway stopcocks b are turned so that there is a passage from c to d and a saturated solution of sodium chloride is drawn from the dishes i into the collecting tubes e until they are filled. The stopcocks are then tunred so that there is a passage from f to d. The current is turned on, and as soon as the hydrochloric acid above the anode is saturated with chlorine, the stopcocks are turned so that the hydrogen and chlorine will pass into the collecting tubes e. When the upper surfaces of the sodium chloride solution are just above the support g, it is inclined, if need be, so as to mark the relative height of the solution in the collecting tubes. the lower support h is then made parallel with g. The solution between g and h is displaced in the same time, showing that equal volumes of hydrogen and chlorine are obtained by the electrolysis of hydrochloric acid." -Brownlee 1907

Electrolysis of Hydrochloric Acid

"Hydrochloric acid...is placed in the tubes a. The threeway stopcocks b are turned so that there is…

"The anodes are placed in solutions of salt in compartments AA, and the cathodes in B. A layer of mercury (MM) permits the passage of a current between A and B, but prevents the mixing of the solutions." -Brownlee 1907

Preparation of Sodium Hydroxide

"The anodes are placed in solutions of salt in compartments AA, and the cathodes in B. A layer of mercury…