Explore the remarkable story of Lord Kelvin, the 19th-century scientist who combined groundbreaking research and innovative thinking to revolutionize fields from thermodynamics to global communication.
The Power of Math and Data
Lord Kelvin was the complete master of his art, and simply devastating in his mathematics to which Nature ultimately surrendered her most jealously guarded secrets. He remained a strong believer that “measurement and quantification were the key elements to scientific advancement: ‘If you cannot measure it and attach number to what you know, then when knowing is of little use.
Thomson, a prolific inventor who patented more than 70 ideas throughout his life to hundreds of patents, introduced dozens of groundbreaking experiments that allowed him to be a very successful businessman. His most visionary thinking came in his leadership of the first transatlantic cable, an epic technological feat that would change global communications forever.
The cornerstone of all modern physics: Thermodynamics
Possibly Thomson’s most famous finding is the temperature gauge Kelvin scale outright zero at which he did not determine, yet which was named for him. Yet his innovations transcended thermodynamics and were as varied as they are numerous, marking him more broadly as a scientific titan.
The unbroken laws are often trumpeted to be the laws of heat and work — termed thermodynamics. As the British astrophysicist Arthur Eddington declared in the 1920s, “If your theory is against the second law of thermodynamics I can give you no hope; there is nothing for it but to collapse in deepest humiliation. Thomson’s work in this area is still at the center of modern physics, informing research everywhere from information science and quantum mechanics to cosmology and even theories of life and consciousness.
Conclusion
The life and accomplishment of Lord Kelvin illustrate that effects can be numerous when fundamental research is combined with creative reflections, of course. The astronomer’s skill in mathematics, thirst for accuracy and willingness to think laterally lead to new understanding and era changing inventions.
By revealing the process behind various natural phenomenons, to, in his work on a first transatlantic telegraph cable, enabling future technologies; from entertaining mythical landforms to laying some of the foundational principles our planet is constructed upon—Kelvin’s work serves and will continue to serve as an inspiration for those seeking answers to questions about ourselves or nature. If we all follow the tracts that Kelvin set more than 100 years ago: There are two tracts- academic research and applied innovation — then together, we can change the world.
