by Dr Derwent Mercer of the Department of Physics, University of Southampton
At the age of 24 years. OLIVER HEAVISIDE retired from a comfortable job to teach himself science. He undertook research, produced startling results,butthescientific establishment shunned him. He continued in the face of opposition, became eccentric and solitary, and when recognition came he was near to poverty. He died 50 years ago. and only now are we beginning to understand the implications of his work.