4. First case study – the subdivision of the light - HM Treasury

F05 Ch4 Subdivision of the light.doc
05/04/2006 19:34:00
Technological roulette – a multi-disciplinary study of the dynamics of innovation in electrical, electronic
and communications engineering.
4. First case study – the subdivision of the light
means of which he obtained some approach to constancy of the arc light, produced
between rods of carbon, and he had employed a member of the Carland family (a well-
known Sunderland family of clock- and watch-makers) to construct his lamp.
These lectures exerted a strong influence on the youthful Swan who left a
Swan 1929, p23
fragmentary record of them.
“ I heard him lecture several times at Sunderland, and saw all his apparatus. I also heard
him, in later years, lecture at Newcastle and Carlisle. I remember that in addition to showing
his lamp, which it was the principal object of his lecture to exhibit and which he proposed
should be utilised immediately for lighthouse purposes, he also on one occasion, in the
Athenaeum at Sunderland, illustrated the principle of electric lighting by means of a piece of
iridio-platinum wire. Besides this, I saw this principle very well illustrated at Richardson’s
lectures at the same place. This arrested my attention and led me to ponder the question, even
at this early period, how to produce electric light on this principle, but so as to avoid the use of
a fusible wire. It was something like a seed sown in my mind, which germinated.”
“During these three years all my spare time was spent in chemical and electrical
experiments, carried out for the most part by means of home-made apparatus and appliances. I
do not know whether it is a general experience or happy chance helping me, but somehow I
have always been able to utilise, in my experimental work, things that happened to be well
within my reach and that seemed to offer themselves to me.”
Swan was often stimulated by chance encounters. One day a wood turner, who had
a workshop in the neighbourhood, came into Swan’s shop to purchase some copper
sulphate and showed him an electrotype of a medallion of Napoleon which he had made.
On hearing an explanation of how the process was carried out, Swan was filled with
enthusiasm and started to experiment with voltaic cells which had recentlybeen developed
by a variety of inventors.
Similarly, a serendipitous sight of a daguerreotype portrait in an engraver’s window
led to the pursuit of interests in the field of photography. Swan was not content merely to
follow the lead of others, but made substantial contributions to the developing arts.
Mawson allowed Swan freedom to pursue his interests. Swan rapidly established
himself as a consultant in scientific subjects such as photography and, through contacts
with chemical manufacturers who required technical advice, gradually expanded the
business activities of the firm.
At Newcastle Swan struck up friendships with young men of similar interests. They
met regularly and engaged in debates on scientific questions. The subjects discussed at
their meetings were chiefly connected with the chemical work which was incidental to
their employment. On holidays they would visit chemical works together. In his leisure
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