Lives of the electricians

by William T. Jeans

LIVES OF THE ELECTRICIANS.

LIVES
OF
THE ELECTRICIANS:

PROFESSORS
TYNDALL, WHEATSTONE, AND MORSE.

FIRST SERIES.

BY
WILLIAM T. JEANS.

“The electric telegraph is the most precious gift which Science has
given to civilisation.”—Sir D. Brewster.

LONDON:
WHITTAKER & CO., 2, White Hart Street,
Paternoster Square, E. C.
GEORGE BELL & SONS, York Street, Covent Garden.
1887.

Richard Clay and Sons,
london and bungay.

CONTENTS.

INTRODUCTION.

Use of lives of electricians—World-wide distribution of electricians—Eminent authorities on biographical studies Pages [ix-xvi]

PROFESSOR TYNDALL.
CHAPTER I.

Position as a scientist—Origin and early career—Work on Ordnance Survey, and as a teacher—Student life at Marburg—Sense of duty and early friendships Pages [1-20]

CHAPTER II.

Subjects of study in Germany—Discovery of diamagnetism—Investigation of it—Scientific acquaintances—Early connection with Royal Institution—Slaty cleavage—Glacier phenomena explained Pages [21-41]

CHAPTER III.

Researches on Radiant Heat—Aqueous vapour and new glacial theory—Calorescence—Formation of clouds—Germ theory—Smoke respirator—Experiments on sound and its production by heat Pages [42-59]

CHAPTER IV.

Alpine travels—Ascent of Monte Rosa, Mont Blanc, Weisshorn, Col-du-Géant, and Piz Morteratch—Visit to Vesuvius—An American’s impressions—Visit to America—Exploration of Niagara Falls—Presidental address to British Association Pages [60-83]

CHAPTER V.

Changes at Royal Institution—Development of electricity explained—Experimental illustrations and anecdotes—Reminiscences of Thomas Carlyle—Scientific adviser to the Trinity House Pages [84-104]

PROFESSOR WHEATSTONE.
CHAPTER I.

Forecasts of the telegraph—Early descriptions and history of it—Birth and early achievements of Wheatstone—Enchanted lyre or first telephone—Experiments in audition—Invention of concertina—Velocity of electricity measured—Spectrum analysis—Lightning conductors Pages [105-132]

CHAPTER II.

Origin of telegraph—Early evidences of Wheatstone’s—Working of first needle telegraph—Dispute with Mr. W. F. Cooke as to priority of invention—Wheatstone’s vindication—His electro-magnetic telegraph, magneto-electric machine, electric clock, printing telegraph, chronoscope, method of measuring electricity, and improved needle telegraphs Pages [133-172]

CHAPTER III.

First uses of telegraph—Means of arresting criminals—Early charges for telegraphing—Formation of Electric Telegraph Company—Wheatstone’s magneto-electric exploder—His early experiments with submarine cables—Cable from Dover to Calais—Faraday on Wheatstone’s A.B.C. telegraph instrument—His automatic instruments Pages [173-203]

CHAPTER IV.

Origin of Dynamo—Invention of stereoscope—Improvement by Sir D. Brewster—Illustration of earth’s rotatory motion—Wheatstone’s cryptograph—His minor inventions—Honours conferred on him—His death Pages [204-230]

PROFESSOR MORSE.
CHAPTER I.

Birth and education—Diverted from electricity to art—Labours as an artist in England and America Pages [231-241]

CHAPTER II.

Travels to study art—First conception of Recording Telegraph—Experiments with it in New York—Invention of Relay—His poverty and disappointments—His originality disputed—First exhibitions of his apparatus—Descriptions of it—Foreign patents—Introduction of photography—Congress asked to try his telegraph—Appropriation granted—Experimental line made and opened Pages [242-278]

CHAPTER III.

Morse Telegraph offered to Government and declined—Rapid extension of it by Companies—Determination of longitude; Morse transmitter and sounder—First Atlantic Cable Pages [279-301]

CHAPTER IV.

Rewards of inventors—Morse patents vindicated—Rival inventions—Pioneers of practical telegraphy—Honours and emoluments of Morse—Statue in New York—Last days—Death Pages [302-322]