FARODAY CENTENARY.

Shannon News, 24 May 1929, Page 3

FARODAY CENTENARY.

RESEARCHES RANGED OVER MANY SUBJECTS

The world will in 1931 have an opportunity of paying tribute to Michael Faraday, to whom, more than to any other, the development of modern life is due.

By his discovery of the generation of electricity by mechanical means Faraday introduced the dynamo to the world,and established in doing so the basis for all subsequent advances in the. realm of mechanical engineering His first ‘ successful experiment was made on August 28, 1831, and it is in commemoration of that date, fraught with such momentous consequences for mankind, ■> that the Royal Institute is initiating fitting centenary celebrations for 1931.

Faraday was born at; Newing-Butts in 1791, and began his working life as an errand boy to a bookbinder and stationer near, Manchester Square. He served a bookbinding apprenticeship and was .still at his work there when his mind was diverted to science through hearing Davy, at the Royal Institute, tickets for the lectures having been given him by a customer.

■ Receiving copies of the lectures from ■his young admirer, Sir Humphrey re-' I solved to aid the would-be research ■worker, and took him into his service. ■ln the course of a European tour Fara■day met Volta and many other famous ■scientists, and soon after his return he ■was contributing papers to the Royal ■institution on a variety of subjects. ■No- more subtle and versatile brain has Hover devoted itself to the cause of Hscientiflc Experimental research. In ■addition to his discoveries of the principle of the dynamo, Faraday’s reHsearches in connection with glass, the Hiquefaction of gases, electrolysis, ben■ol, diamagnetism and light, produced Hcsults that were not short of amazing Hrh'en considered as the contribution of Hi single man to the world’s knowHedge. , The whole electrical industry, its ramifications of power, heat Cud light transmission, telegraph, teleHhone and wireless, may be said to Have been born of this one remarkable ■it is expected that the Electrical in particular, as well as , a number of important bodies connot only with pure but with science, ■ will participate in the celebrations. That they will a national character is certain. ’s accomplishments raised to a High level the prestige of England as to the world’s amazing and industrial advances m last century. They may still be with pride as a salutary spur British endeavour. :