Chapter I: Front Matter

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