Biography of Alfred R. Bennett

BENNETT, Alfred Rosling, M.S.T.E. & E. Born in London, March 14th, 1850. Educated principally at Belle Vue Academy, Greenwich.

Mr. Bennett went to India in 1869 in the service of the Indian Government Telegraph Department. Spent four years in India, Beloochistan, Persia, and Turkey. Obtained " special mention " certificate from Indian Government for proficiency in submarine cable and land-line testing. Returned to England in 1873, and became electrician to the Highton Batteries Company, Limited, then working the battery and other patents of the late Rev. Henry Highton, M.A. Had considerable practical experience of chemistry here, and assisted Mr. Highton in his endeavours to adapt his gold-leaf telegraphic instrument to signalling through long submarine cables. Was elected an Associate of the Society of Telegraph Engineers in February, 1874. Retired from the Highton Batteries Company in December, 1874. Was afterwards electrician to the Magneto Company, Limited, for a short period. In 1875 read a paper on "New Forms of Voltaic Batteries" before the Society of Telegraph Engineers, in which was detailed a lengthened series of voltaic experiments with the caustic alkalis as exciting chemicals. These experiments ultimately resulted in the invention of the Bennett "tin-pot" battery, patented in 1881. From 1875 to 1880 was engaged chiefly in literary pursuits. Contributed largely to London and provincial journals, and was for some time editor of two London periodicals. In 1877, carried out the exhibition of Mr. Cromwell F. Varley's musical telephone at the Queen's Theatre, Long-acre, which was joined, for the purpose, to the Canterbury Music Hall by two overhouse wires — the first telephone wires ever erected in this country. In May, 1880, accepted an appointment from the United Telephone Company, Limited, as engineering superintendent of their Eastern London District. In January, 1881, went to Glasgow as engineer to Messrs. D. and G. Graham. The same year patented, and road a paper on the subject of his "tin-pot" battery before the Philosophical Society of Glasgow. The battery was fully described at the time in The Electrician, and has since come into extensive use for telephonic and other purposes. In 1882, patented his telephonic translator (Electrician, Jan. 13, 1883), which has been adopted by all telephone companies possessing inter- town trunk lines. In 1882 invented his well-known corrugated insulator (Electrician, Feb. 17, 1883). The first light bronze wires used in Great Britain were erected in Glasgow in February, 1882. In April, 1883, Mr. Bennett entered the service of the National Telephone Company as engineer for their Scotch and Irish Districts, and is at the present time that enterprising company's popular general manager for Scotland.