James Bowman LindsayBack to Innovators

James Bowman Lindsay studied at the University of St Andrews, making a name for himself in the fields of maths and physics, and headed to Dundee in 1829 to become Science and Mathematics Lecturer at the Watt Institution. In 1835 Lindsay demonstrated constant electric light, whereby he could "read a book at a distance of one and a half foot". He was motivated by the need to provide a safe method of lighting Dundee's jute mills, which had been plagued by severe fires. However, Lindsay did little to promote his invention and it was Thomas Edison who laid claim to the discovery over 40 years later.

By 1854 Lindsay was able to demonstrate transmission of message across two miles of water by means of insulated wires. He then experimented without wires and patented a system in 1854. It was somewhat flawed, as ideally it needed a line laid on dry land which was greater than the width of water to be crossed.  However, it was Lindsay's vision that was renowned. His ‘Lecture on Electricity' effectively foretold the development of the information society, and he predicted cities lit by electricity.

http://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/centlib/jbl/james.htm