Oliver Lodge (1851 - 1940), inventor

A portrait of Oliver Lodge

Born in Penkhull, Stoke-on-Trent, Oliver Lodge was a complex mix of scientist, humanitarian, academic and spiritualist.

The Professor of Physics and Mathematics at the University College of Liverpool was narrowly beaten to the discovery of electromagnetic waves by Hertz, but in 1894 became the first person to transmit a message by radio telegraphy. He later invented the spark plug, essential to the development of the internal combustion engine. Two of his sons established the Lodge Plug Company.

Between 1900 and 1919 Lodge was the Principal of Birmingham University. Whilst developing his ideas on issues such as student involvement in the running of universities and in the women’s emancipation movement, Lodge made many attempts to contact the spirit of his son who was killed during the Great War (1914-18).