Description
Book SynopsisA compelling account of the life of one of the great pioneers of electrical science Oliver Heaviside (1850-1925). He showed how to analyse circuit, how to rid telephone lines of distortion and interpreted Maxwell's theory of electromagnetism in a way that working engineers and physicists could understand.
Trade Review'an engaging account of this heady, confusing period when electromagnetism was a young science and Heaviside was one of its greatest - and most eccentric - exponents. For Heaviside's relative obscurity was at least partly his own fault. Although he could be witty and even charming to his friends, he was also a thoroughly awkward individual who bore grudges like a champion, speckled his scientific articles with thinly veiled attacks on his enemies and repeatedly rejected pleas to make his papers more understandable.
Mahon is clearly sympathetic to his subject, but he does not shrink from the more challenging aspects of either Heaviside's character or his science. This slim volume is an excellent introduction to both.'
* Physics World *
Table of Contents
- Chapter 1: Do try to be like other people: London 1850-68
- Chapter 2: Seventy words a minute: Fredericia 1868-70
- Chapter 3: Waiting for Caroline: Newcastle 1870-74
- Chapter 4: Old Teufelsdrockh: London 1874-82
- Chapter 5: Good old Maxwell!: London 1882-86
- Chapter 6: Making waves: London, Liverpool, Dublin and Karlsruhe 1882-88
- Chapter 7: Into battle: London 1886-88
- Chapter 8: Self-induction's in the air: Bath and London 1888-89
- Chapter 9: Uncle Olly: Paignton 1889-97
- Chapter 10: Country life: Newton Abbot 1897-1908
- Chapter 11: A Torquay marriage: Torquay 1908-24
- Chapter 12: Last days: Torquay 1924-25
- Heaviside's legacy
