Discussion on lightning and lightning protective apparatus

The subject of lightning and lightning protective apparatus, though of extreme importance, has unfortunately not received the attention it deserves. Most of us do not appreciate the amount of damage to property and the number of injuries and deaths caused by lightning discharges. We need more reliable information as to the nature of lightning and lightning discharges and the most effective method of protecting apparatus from these discharges. I regret that none of the papers takes up the subject of lightning striking things that are not electrical, such as buildings. I mention this because I think the public is usually misguided in the matter, many lightning rods that are worse than useless being sold to the credulous public. Engineers should at all times try to prevent the public from being imposed upon.