Charles Vincent Walker facts for kids

Charles Vincent Walker (born March 20, 1812 – died December 24, 1882) was an English electrical engineer and publisher. He was very important in helping railways use telecommunications. He was also the first person to send a telegraph signal underwater!

Early Life and Work

Charles Vincent Walker was born in Marylebone, Middlesex. We don't know much about his early schooling or how he learned engineering. But by 1838, he knew a lot about electricity. He even helped start the London Electrical Society.

Walker was the secretary and treasurer for this society when it was new. He also edited their Proceedings from 1841 to 1843. He even started his own magazine called the Electrical Magazine, though only two issues were published.

In 1841, Walker helped write a book called Manual of Electricity, Magnetism and Meteorology. He also wrote his own books, like Electrotype Manipulation and Electric Telegraph Manipulation (1850). He wrote many other science books too.

Railway Innovations

In 1845, Charles Walker became the main electrician for the South Eastern Railway. He worked there for the rest of his life! He made many important improvements for the railway, including:

• He was the first to use a material called gutta-percha to cover and protect telegraph wires. This helped them work better.
• He invented a device to keep telegraph equipment safe from lightning and other natural electricity.
• He made graphite batteries better, which were used to power telegraphs.
• He worked with Astronomer Royal George Biddell Airy from the Royal Observatory to send exact time signals to railway stations starting in 1849. This helped trains run on time.
• He created a device in 1866 that let passengers talk to the train guard.
• He invented a train describer in 1876. This device helped show where trains were and what they were doing.

First Underwater Telegraph Message

Walker's work with gutta-percha helped him see a chance to create underwater telegraph cables. On October 13, 1848, he sent the very first underwater telegraph message! He sent it over a 2-mile (3.2 km) cable from Folkestone to a ship and back. This was a huge step for communication.

Later Life and Recognition

Charles Vincent Walker passed away from heart failure on December 24, 1882, in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

He was recognized for his important work. He became a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1855. He was also the president of the British Meteorological Society and the Society of Telegraph Engineers and Electricians.

Offices and Honours

• British Meteorological Society
  • Member (1850)
  • President (1869–70)
  • Editor of the Proceedings (1861–1864)
• Fellow of the Royal Society (1855)
• Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society (1858)
• President of the Society of Telegraph Engineers and Electricians (1876)