[Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from Oliver Heaviside],
Title
[Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from Oliver Heaviside],
Creator
Date
Identifier
GFF 14/12
Subject
Description
Handwritten letter from Oliver Heaviside, Paignton, Devon, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 26th May 1894. Heaviside discusses Fitzgerald's sound waves idea. Heaviside expresses his annoyance at Fitzgerald for discussed his 'bodily infermities' in public, and explains why he would rather his illness remain private. 1p.
Transcription:
My dear Fitzgerald,
Your sound waves analogies are very interesting, though I am afraid it would work out quite as complicated as a long telephone circuit, and even more so, prehaps. Have you any idea how to compensate in the ease of a string vibrating in a viscous medium. That is, compensate for the frictional resistance and produce undistorted transmission of a pulse?
'Bodily Infirmities'. You gave me a most disagreeable shock. To have ones bodily infirmites introduced to public notice is quite painful. Have I ever said anything to you to warrant the statement? I think not. My bodily infimities should not be publicy admitted, ever if they did present, etc. Some may pity me, which I don't want, and dislike; and my enemies, if I have any, will chuckle...'
Transcription:
My dear Fitzgerald,
Your sound waves analogies are very interesting, though I am afraid it would work out quite as complicated as a long telephone circuit, and even more so, prehaps. Have you any idea how to compensate in the ease of a string vibrating in a viscous medium. That is, compensate for the frictional resistance and produce undistorted transmission of a pulse?
'Bodily Infirmities'. You gave me a most disagreeable shock. To have ones bodily infirmites introduced to public notice is quite painful. Have I ever said anything to you to warrant the statement? I think not. My bodily infimities should not be publicy admitted, ever if they did present, etc. Some may pity me, which I don't want, and dislike; and my enemies, if I have any, will chuckle...'
Contributor
Rights
Copyright RDS Library & Archives. Publication, transmission or display is prohibited without formal written approval of the RDS Library & Archives.
Relation
RDS Science Archive
Format
Manuscript
Language
English
Type
Coverage
1870-1901
Collection
Citation
Heaviside, Oliver, 1850-1925, “[Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from Oliver Heaviside],,” RDS Digital Archive, accessed June 24, 2025, https://digitalarchive.rds.ie/items/show/853.