The British Association unit of electrical resistance, on which was
founded the first practical approximation to absolute measurement
on the system of Gauss and Weber, was largely due to Jenkin's zeal
as one of the originators, and persevering energy as a working
member, of the first Electrical Standards Committee. The
experimental work of first making practical standards, founded on
the absolute system, which led to the unit now known as the British
Association ohm, was chiefly performed by Clerk Maxwell and Jenkin.
The realisation of the great practical benefit which has resulted
from the experimental and scientific work of the Committee is
certainly in a large measure due to Jenkin's zeal and perseverance
as secretary, and as editor of the volume of Collected Reports of
the work of the Committee, which extended over eight years, from
1861 till 1869. The volume of Reports included Jenkin's Cantor
Lectures of January, 1866, 'On Submarine Telegraphy,' through which
the practical applications of the scientific principles for which
he had worked so devotedly for eight years became part of general
knowledge in the engineering profession.
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