Henry Wilde (engineer)
Encyclopedia
Henry Wilde was a wealthy individual from Manchester
, England who used his self-made fortune to indulge his interest in electrical engineering. He invented the dynamo-electric machine, or self-energising dynamo
, an invention for which Werner von Siemens is more usually credited and, in fact, discovered independently. At any rate, Wilde was the first to publish, his paper was communicated to the Royal Society by Michael Faraday
in 1866. The self-energising dynamo replaces the permanent magnets of previous designs with electro-magnets and in so doing achieved an enormous increase in power. The machine was considered remarkable at the time, especially since Wilde was fond of spectacular demonstrations, such as the ability of his machine to cause iron bars to melt.
The remainder of his fortune was left to Oxford University in his will.
with powerful searchlights. The dynamo was also much used in electro-plating.
with this). It seems that Wilde was much inclined to indulge in litigation; when the Royal Society of Arts
(RSA) attempted to bestow their highest award, the Albert Medal
, for his contribution to the invention of the dynamo, Wilde responded with a solicitor's letter berating them for not recognising him as the sole inventor. Nevertheless, the RSA still went ahead and made the award in 1900.
. This procedure ensures an even thickness of copper which is essential in printing.
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, England who used his self-made fortune to indulge his interest in electrical engineering. He invented the dynamo-electric machine, or self-energising dynamo
Dynamo
- Engineering :* Dynamo, a magnetic device originally used as an electric generator* Dynamo theory, a theory relating to magnetic fields of celestial bodies* Solar dynamo, the physical process that generates the Sun's magnetic field- Software :...
, an invention for which Werner von Siemens is more usually credited and, in fact, discovered independently. At any rate, Wilde was the first to publish, his paper was communicated to the Royal Society by Michael Faraday
Michael Faraday
Michael Faraday, FRS was an English chemist and physicist who contributed to the fields of electromagnetism and electrochemistry....
in 1866. The self-energising dynamo replaces the permanent magnets of previous designs with electro-magnets and in so doing achieved an enormous increase in power. The machine was considered remarkable at the time, especially since Wilde was fond of spectacular demonstrations, such as the ability of his machine to cause iron bars to melt.
Academic patronage
Wilde joined the Lit & Phil Society in 1859 and was president 1894-1896. He made many gifts and endowments to further the cause of science including;- The Wilde Memorial Lecture of the Lit & Phil Society
- Acedémie des Sciences (Paris) annual prize
- A large gift to the Institute of Electrical Engineers, Benelovant Fund
- A Readership at Oxford University
- A Scholarship at Oxford University
- A Lectureship at Oxford University
- Donated two dynamos to the Clarendon LaboratoryClarendon LaboratoryThe Clarendon Laboratory, located on Parks Road with the Science Area in Oxford, England , is part of the Physics Department at Oxford University...
in 1888.
The remainder of his fortune was left to Oxford University in his will.
Dynamo applications
The very first application of the dynamo by Wilde was to provide the Royal NavyRoyal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
with powerful searchlights. The dynamo was also much used in electro-plating.
Litigation
Wilde launched a series of litigations to try to establish his priority for the dynamo, even disputing that the Siemens brothers had coined the name (Wilde credits Golding BirdGolding Bird
Golding Bird was a British medical doctor and Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of London. Bird became a great authority on kidney diseases and published a comprehensive paper on urinary deposits...
with this). It seems that Wilde was much inclined to indulge in litigation; when the Royal Society of Arts
Royal Society of Arts
The Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce is a British multi-disciplinary institution, based in London. The name Royal Society of Arts is frequently used for brevity...
(RSA) attempted to bestow their highest award, the Albert Medal
Albert Medal (RSA)
The Albert Medal of the Royal Society of Arts was instituted in 1864 as a memorial to Prince Albert, who had been President of the Society for 18 years. It was first awarded in 1864 for "distinguished merit in promoting Arts, Manufactures and Commerce"...
, for his contribution to the invention of the dynamo, Wilde responded with a solicitor's letter berating them for not recognising him as the sole inventor. Nevertheless, the RSA still went ahead and made the award in 1900.
Wilde's process
Wilde's process is a method of copper-plating printing rollers which he patented in 1875. A dynamo is used to provide the electricity required for the plating process and the same mechanical power source is used to either rotate the work being plated or drive a paddle to agitate the electrolyteElectrolyte
In chemistry, an electrolyte is any substance containing free ions that make the substance electrically conductive. The most typical electrolyte is an ionic solution, but molten electrolytes and solid electrolytes are also possible....
. This procedure ensures an even thickness of copper which is essential in printing.