Wonder Working Wire

Stephen Rowley introduces Sir Charles Wheatstone, the man, his inventions and events from his life. A costumed talk illustrated with experiments and instruments; Wheatstone’s successes and failures are brought to life with parlour entertainment.

Stephen Rowley as Charles Wheatstone!

Wheatstone was a remarkable man, skilled in languages, science and business he represents the great epitome of scientific discovery and its application in the c.19th. He notably cracked the problem of using electricity to send signals over a long distance, and created the first working electric telegraph. In doing so he opened the era of telecommunications.

Wheatstone’s endeavours reach far wider than this into many areas of physics, chemistry and engineering. Pioneering research into the nature of electricity, the invention of the concertina, stereoscopy, synchronous clocks, a sundial that works on cloudy days and countless other marvels. This story of his life gives us a unique window into this exciting period in our history.

This is a talk for anyone with an interest in Gloucester, the history of science and engineering, the history of music, the Victorian period, sound, telegraphy, physics, electricity, the internet, codes, or just being entertained.

Stephen Rowley is uniquely placed to illuminate the life of Sir Charles. Stephen trained and worked as a scientist and engineer, before devoting his talents to the arts as a sculptor, musician and performer. He has made a special study of Sir Charles Wheatstone since first learning to play the concertina (one of Wheatstone’s earlier inventions) in the 1970s.

In his praise of Wheatstone, the famous physicist Michael Faraday said “There is nothing he touched that he did not adorn”.

Dates/Times

Monday 6 February | 5.30-6.15pm. Talk will last for roughly 45 minutes including time for Q&A.

Places

Only 70 tickets are available so save your seat now!

Prices

£5 per ticket | £3 concessions (under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult).