MICHAEL FARADAY: A PRODUCT OF INFLUENCE
By Nick Imoru
“You need some people in your life who see what you don't see, hear what you don't hear, know what don't know”.No single genius/world’s greatest that is an island! Somehow, every genius is a function of influence! The great genius: Michael Faraday the man who discovered electricity was the laboratory attendant to Sir Humphry Davy a giant in the world of science. Association made him! Michael Faraday was one of the most distinguished modern chemists and natural philosophers; a splendid instance of success obtained by patience, and perseverance, over obstacles of birth, education, and fortune. How? I will tell you.
Michael Faraday was born into humble conditions on 22 September 1791 in south London. He was brought up in the Sandemanian sect of the Christian Church. His family was not well off; his father being a blacksmith and Faraday received only a basic formal education. When he was 14, he was apprenticed to a local bookbinder. This contact with books gave him a love for reading.
Reading many of the books in the shop, Faraday became fascinated by science and during the next seven years, educated himself by reading books on a wide range of scientific subjects. Even then he devoted his leisure time to science, and amongst other things, made experiments with an electrical machine of his own construction. In 1812, chance procured him admission to attend the chemical lectures given by chemist Sir Humphry Davy at the Royal Institution. Faraday subsequently wrote and ventured to send to Davy the notes he had taken, with a modest expression of desire to be employed in some intellectual pursuit as his assistant. Davy turned him down but on 1st March 1813 finding him thoroughly in earnest appointed him to the job of chemical assistant at the Royal Institution. Davy gave Faraday a valuable scientific education and also introduced him to important scientists in Europe. And Faraday immersed himself in the study of chemistry, becoming a skilled analytical chemist.
A year later, Faraday as assistant and amanuensis accompanied Davy and his wife on an 18-month European tour, taking in France, Switzerland, Italy and Belgium and meeting many influential scientists. On their return in 1815, Davy confided to him the performance of certain experiments, which led to the condensation of gases into liquids by pressure. Therefore, Faraday continued to work at the Royal Institution, helping with experiments for Davy and other scientists. In 1821 he published his work on electromagnetic rotation (the principle behind the electric motor). He was able to carry out little further research in the 1820s, busy as he was with other projects. In 1826, he founded the Royal Institution's Friday Evening Discourses and in the same year the Christmas Lectures, both of which continue to this day. He himself gave many lectures, establishing his reputation as the outstanding scientific lecturer of his time.
After Humphry Davy retired in 1827, Faraday replaced him as professor of chemistry at the Royal Institution. Faraday began to publish details of his research. Faraday's greatest contribution to science was in the field of electricity. In 1821 he began experimenting with electromagnetism and demonstrating the conversion of electrical energy into motive force. From his experiments came devices, which led directly to the modern electric motor, generator and transformer. In 1831 Faraday discovered the induction of electric currents and made the first dynamo. In 1837 he demonstrated that electrostatic force consists of a field of curved lines of force, and conceived a specific inductive capacity. This led to Faraday being able to develop his theories on light and gravitational systems.
In 1865, Faraday ended his connection with the Royal Institution after over 50 years of service. However, in the early 1840s, Faraday's health began to deteriorate and he did less research. He died at his house at Hampton Court on 25th August 1867. His discoveries have had an incalculable effect on subsequent scientific and technical development. He was a true pioneer of scientific discovery.
Although, Michael Faraday was born into humble conditions, he made his name in the scientific world, despite his lack of formal education, through his outstanding discoveries, observations and experiments. His scientific work laid the foundations of all subsequent electro-technology. Faraday was also the greatest scientific lecturer of his day, who did much to publicise the great advances of nineteenth-century science and technology through his articles and correspondence.
In all this, his contact with Sir Humphry Davy in 1812, made him. Friends, There are things you cannot see, hear or know that you need, but are in some people. May I announce to you that:
“There is something God has for you in someone else”.
So, do not despise the effect and power of association. In as much as the effect of association is powerful, great care must be taken in this regard. Everybody must not be your friend! You must not enter just any association. Your association should be able to add to your life not subtract from it.
Read more, THE SECRETS BEHIND THE STORY
