The Usefulness of Useless Knowledge

The Magnetic Circuit Model, 1850–1890: The Resisted Flow Image in Magnetostatics

“…1-10. Also 'Further notes on the formulae of the electromagnet and the equations of the dynamo', Philosophical Magazine, (1886), V, 22 calculation, the main part of the theory being at first understood as if the permeability |i were constant: that is to say it springs from the idea of linear resistance.…”

“…This put him in a position of advantage compared with other engineerscientists who, however able and productive they were, were handicapped by the very academic affiliations which made their work possible. 22 For a short period he worked in his father's company, and was then appointed, at age twenty-three, Engineer and Manager of the Birmingham optical works of Chance Brothers, lighthouse engineers, during which he became concerned with the electrical supply to the lights. In 1878 he moved to London, though still occupying some loosereined attachment to Chance, and set up as a consulting engineer.…”