[Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from Oliver Heaviside],

https://library.rds.ie/files/14-12.pdf

Title

[Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from Oliver Heaviside],

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...'

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

Citation

Heaviside, Oliver, 1850-1925, “[Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from Oliver Heaviside],,” RDS, accessed October 15, 2024, https://digitalarchive.rds.ie/items/show/853.

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