Josiah Latimer Clark facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Josiah Latimer Clark
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| Born | 10 March 1822 Great Marlow, Buckinghamshire
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| Died | 30 October 1898 (aged 76) |
| Nationality | English |
Josiah Latimer Clark (born March 10, 1822 – died October 30, 1898) was a clever English electrical engineer. He was born in Great Marlow, Buckinghamshire. He made important discoveries about electricity and helped build early communication systems.
Contents
A Life of Invention
Early Life and Work
Josiah Latimer Clark was born in Great Marlow, Buckinghamshire. He was the younger brother of Edwin Clark, who was also an engineer. Latimer Clark studied chemistry when he was at school. His first job was at a big chemical factory in Dublin.
In 1848, he started working with his brother Edwin. He became an assistant engineer for the famous Menai Strait bridge. This bridge was a big engineering project at the time.
Working with Telegraphs
Two years later, his brother Edwin became the chief engineer for the Electric Telegraph Company. Josiah Latimer Clark joined him as an assistant. Later, he took over his brother's job as the Chief Engineer.
In 1854, he created a new invention. It was a way to send letters or packages using air pressure. This was like an early version of a pneumatic tube system. In 1863, he helped build one of these tubes. It connected a post office in London to Euston station.
Submarine Cables and Signals
Clark also did a lot of research on how electricity travels in underwater cables. These cables were used to send telegraph messages across oceans. In 1855, he wrote a paper about his findings.
In 1859, he joined a special government committee. This group looked into why many early underwater cables failed. Clark later realized that another scientist, Francis Ronalds, had already warned about signal problems in telegraph lines back in 1816. Clark then worked hard to make sure Ronalds' important work was recognized.
Electrical Measurements
Clark was very interested in how to measure electricity accurately. He improved many tools and methods for this. He also invented the Clark standard cell. This was a special battery that produced a very stable voltage. It became a standard for measuring electrical voltage.
He also played a big part in making electrical measurements more organized. In 1861, he and Sir C.T. Bright gave an important speech about this. They also found better ways to insulate underwater cables. This helped make the cables more reliable.
Later in his life, Clark was part of several companies. These companies laid underwater cables, made electrical devices, and worked on water engineering projects. Clark was also one of the first people to use the prefixes "mega-" (meaning a million) and "micro-" (meaning a millionth) with units other than the meter.
Josiah Latimer Clark passed away in London on October 30, 1898.
Family Life
In 1854, Josiah Latimer Clark married Margaret Helen Preece. She was the sister of another famous engineer, Sir William Preece. They had two children. Clark later remarried in 1863.
