- English physicist.
In 1902 he predicted the existence of an ionized layer of air in the
upper atmosphere, which was known as the Kennelly-Heaviside layer but
is now called the E layer of the ionosphere. Deflection from it makes
possible the transmission of radio signals around the world, which would
otherwise be lost in outer space.
His theoretical work had implications for radio transmission. His studies
of electricity published in Electrical Papers 1892 had considerable
impact on long-distance telephony, and he added the concepts of inductance,
capacitance, and impedance to electrical science.
Heaviside was born in London. Because of severe hearing difficulties,
he was mainly self-taught and was unemployed most of his life.
When Heaviside became involved with the passage of electricity along
conductors, he modified Ohm's law to include inductance and this, together
with other electrical properties, resulted in his derivation of the
equation of telegraphy. On considering the problem of signal distortion
in a telegraph cable, he came to the conclusion that this could be substantially
reduced by the addition of small inductance coils throughout its length,
and this method has since been used to great effect.
In Electromagnetic Theory 1893-1912, Heaviside extended Scottish physicist
James Clerk Maxwell's discoveries as well as making many valuable discoveries
of his own. In the third volume, he considered wireless telegraphy
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