The Dorchester Beacon, October 26, 1907.
A.O. Bradford
Inventor of the best system of artificial illumination,120 Stoughton St.
A.O. Bradford, of No. 120 Stoughton street, Dorchester, is the inventor and owner of the best and most economical system of artificial lighting known to the present generation. He began business seven years ago in Chardon Street, City proper, as the Keros Incandescent Company, the interests of which concern he bought out April 1. 1007, and now solely controls. His system is known as the Washington System of Lighting in the State of Massachusetts; and he is the sole proprietor of the “Boston Light, a hydro-carbon incandescent light from kerosene oil. He claims for it that it gives the best light for the least money of any light in the world, and his claims appear to be amply justified by the facts. More than eight hundred of these lamps are now in use in the factories and stores of Greater Boston, while a large number are in use throughout New England, Canada and the western and northwestern states. Mr. Bradford undertakes contracts for lighting of all descriptions, such as factories, stores, garden and lawn parties and similar gatherings. The lamps are either sold or rented, as the customer may choose. It costs only a fraction of one cent an hour to run one of these lights, ordinary kerosene oil being used. The oil becomes vaporized at the lamp, mixed with a percentage of oxygen, burns through a mantle and produces a fifteen hundred candle power light for less than a cent an hour. Mr. Bradford issues a general challenge to any other lamp to give an equal amount of light for the same cost. This light is the most brilliant, cheapest and easiest to operate of any light of its kind in the world; it is not injurious to the eyesight, is nearest to daylight and costs but a fraction more than daylight. It is under each person’s own control, being wholly independent of gas companies or electric companies and is never affected by outside influences, such as broken wire, mains, etc.
Mr. Bradford was born in Cambridge, but early removed to Roxbury and was educated in the public school of the Roxbury district and has been a resident of this section for the past 25 years. He removed to Dorchester in April 1907. He is a member of the Odd Fellows and of the Savin Hill Yacht Club. He is a practical mechanic and inventor and was manager of the Keros Incandescent Company for five years in Chardon Street, Boston. He is an enthusiastic citizen of the community and is highly respected and esteemed by those who know him. His system for lighting is becoming more widely known from day to day and is steadily increasing in popularity.