Arthur Edwin Kennelly was an American electrical engineer and mathematician, born on December 17, 1861, in Massachusetts, USA, and passed away on June 18, 1939. He is renowned for his contributions in the field of electrical engineering, particularly in the study of electrical transmission and communication.
Kennelly began his career as a lecturer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and later worked as a professor at Harvard University. He conducted extensive research on the theory of alternating currents and played a pivotal role in the development of long-distance electrical transmission.
Kennelly's work on electrical conductance and capacity of long transmission lines is of immense significance. He established the concept of "earth conductivity," which led to improvements in power transmission systems by accurately calculating line losses due to the Earth's resistance. Additionally, he analyzed the impact of impedance on transmission line performance.
Moreover, Kennelly made significant contributions to the field of telegraphy and telephony. He pioneered the advancement of wireless telegraphy, investigating topics like capacitive tuning and wireless frequency transmission. Furthermore, his studies on submarine cables helped advance communication technology across vast distances.
Arthur Edwin Kennelly became a prominent figure in the electrical engineering community, receiving numerous accolades and honorary degrees throughout his career. He was a fellow of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers (AIEE) and an advisor to the United States government during World War I. Today, his work continues to have a lasting impact on the field of electrical engineering, particularly in long-distance electrical transmission and communication.
