Wheatstone, Sir Charles (1802-1875), was a British physicist and inventor. He became best known for his work in electric telegraphy and on electric measuring devices. These devices include the “Wheatstone bridge,” which he did not invent but improved, and the rheostat, which he invented. See Rheostat; Telegraph (Development of the telegraph); Wheatstone bridge.
Wheatstone experimented on the speed of electricity in wires, and suggested that electricity be used to send messages. With W. F. Cooke, he patented an electric telegraph in 1837, about the same time that Samuel Morse developed his telegraph in the United States. Wheatstone’s device was widely used in Britain. He also did important research in acoustics and conducted experiments on underwater telegraphy.
Wheatstone was born on Feb. 6, 1802, in Gloucester. He became professor of experimental philosophy at King’s College, London, in 1834. He died on Oct. 19, 1875.
