Kelvin & the Cables
Kelvin & the Cables
- Event time: 5:00pm until 6:00pm
- Event date: 10th October 2024
- Location: Alder Lecture Theatre, Nucleus Building, King's Buildings
Event details
All students and staff welcome.
Speaker
Dr Alan Walker
Abstract
This talk will trace those important figures behind the ‘big idea’ to lay a submarine telegraph cable across the Atlantic. It resulted in the 1858 cable that was laid successfully and provoked celebrations in New York akin to those for the first manned mission to the Moon a century. Those celebrations were short-lived as the cable failed whilst these were taking place. It would be 1866 before a second and successful cable was laid. The talk will trace the trials and tribulations faced and those involved. It will look at the major involvement of William Thomson (Lord Kelvin) in these ventures which at times were extremely dangerous. It will also look at the posthumous contribution of Isambard Kingdom Brunel and explain how the subtitle of the talk could be ‘From Millwall to Anfield’. It will not be a technical talk, but rather more a ripping yarn of derring-do!
Refreshments
Meet at 16.30 in the Nucleus Building foyer for tea and cakes prior to the talk.
About General interest seminars
Our General Interest Seminars are an opportunity for distinguished speakers to present new research in physics and related areas. The material presented is suitable for undergraduate level upwards and all members of the School are welcome to attend..