Groundbreaking historical study on electrical standards that shaped modern measurement
This reissued volume gathers the early reports that defined how we measure electrical resistance, current, and electromotive force. It combines theoretical discussion with practical experiments, tracing how a universal electrical system could be built from reliable, reproducible standards.
The book presents the guiding questions, the reasoning behind proposed units, and the relation between units of resistance, current, and work. It includes the framing of a coherent system and the debate over which materials and forms would best represent a standard that lasts.
- Learn the five qualities a practical unit should have, including reproducibility and permanent definition.
- See how researchers compared mercury, copper wire, and other materials to find reliable standards.
- Understand how the proposed system connects resistance, current, and electromotive force in a coherent framework.
- Explore early methods for testing and calibrating standards, from bridge scales to mercury tubes.
Ideal for readers of the history of science and electrical engineering, this edition offers clear access to a foundational moment in measurement science.