The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-01-30
OF LORE
KELVIN ARE REVIEW WE'D
Of Submarine TeIeg-
raphY Solved by This Not
dEngIishman.

tNFN ---
One or the most important figures
in the world Of electric invention is
Lord Kelvin, English physicist and
philosopher. He solved almost all tho
problems OF submarine t%elegraphy.
Not very many people are familiar
with the history Of this remarkable
man, who died at his residence, Meth
erall-near4largs, Scotland, on Decem-
Der. n, 1907
UnlikS mahy men Of monumental
INTELLECT and creative force, Lord Kel-
WINS lie story lacks romantic atmos-
phere. NE was born WILLIAM Thorn
son June 20, 1924, at Belfast, Ireland,
the second son Of James Thomson. a
teacher Of mathematics in the Royal
Institution. From Che very
cradle william was under the pro-
round Influences Of the classics. In
1882 James Thomson, the parent, MI
WITH his family to Glasgow to
accept the chair Of mathematics In
the university. AT tho age Of 10 VIII
liam Thomson, tho son, matriculated
in Glasgow University, and when he
20 years old he accepted the chair
of natural philosophy In his univer-
sity. This he held for fifty-three years
attaining universal recognition as the
greatest physicist Of his time.
Two years before he had entered
P%eterhouse, Cambridge, where he took
many high honors, but where his
thirst for research work could not be
appeased because of the few facilities
for the study Of experimental science.
Thomson went to Paris, where he
studied for a year in the laboratories
of Regnault
Since 1854 Lord Kelvin was most
prominent among telegraphists. His
remarkable researches gave to the
world the recorders, the stranded
form Of conductors and many other
important parts Of submarine teleg-
raphy led to the production in rapid
succession Of instruments for the
measuring Of electricity. /.
Current from the ten-thousandth or
an ampere to 10000 amperes and pres
sure from the fraction Of a volt to
100000 volts are measured by his in
struments. :.
When electric lighting came Lord
Kelvin's fertile brain evolved a new
set of instruments for the electrical
engineer. There is no quantity of cleo
tricity which his instruments are not
called upon to measure. They are
used in every power house and by
electrical engineers every day.
Lord Kelvin ranks with the big men
who have done big things to broaden
the fields for the use OF electrical
energy. 1t has been said that his won
derfui personality and the kindly en-.
couragement he gave to students and
others who came in contact with him
have done more for the progress OF
physical discovery during the nine
teenth century than the efforts OF any
other n man.
Extreme modesty, amounting to al
most d%ifidence, was combined with
the utmost kindness In Lord Kelvin's
bearing to the most humble student.
It is impossible more than briefly
to sketch his life In this limited space
for one day he would be working out
the mathematics Of a profound prob
lem, and next he would be designing
an electric meter or dynamo and, lat
or still, ne would be working over
the mariners compass, which he COM
pletely reconstructed. His deep sea
sounding apparatus is, second only to
the compass In value of the sailor.
In acknowledgment Of his services
to transatlantic telegraph Thomson
was knighted in 1866, land in 1892,
he was raised to the peerage, with the
title Of Lord Kelvin, baron OF Large.
During his life many thousands ofnde-
grees and honors were bestowed upon
him Off his inventions and his add
tons to electrical science.
A remarkable demonstration In hon
or Of Lord Kelvin was held at Glas-
COW University in 1896 the jubilee OF
his professorship. More than $500
scientists and members Of the nobil-
ity gathered to honor the distinguished
man. One of'the features Of the three
day celebration was a message sent
through Newfoundland, New York,
Chicago, San francisco, Los Angeles,
New Orleans, Florida and Washing
ton. j. was received by Lord Kelvin
seven and a half minutes after being
dispatched, having Travelled more than
10000 miles and twice crossing the
Atlantic ocean during the interval.
tits said that Lord Kelvin published
more. than 800 papers bearing upon
nearly every branch Of physical sell
ence. His life Of unwearied industry
did not cease when he resigned his
chair. He continued until his death to
take part In, the proceedings Of many