A Conversation for The Quite Interesting Society
QI - What hath God wrought?
Clive the flying ostrich: Amateur Polymath | Chief Heretic. Started conversation Nov 10, 2008
Until the 1870's with the development of the electric dynamo, and with mains power not available for a further generation, the electrical telegraph 15 years after it's unveiling, relied mainly on the use of zinc batteries to provide the meagre power source required.
On the evening of September 2nd 1859, the line between Boston and Portland was one of the few wires operational. Why was this and what was unusual about their battery?
QI - What hath God wrought?
Icy North Posted Nov 10, 2008
Is this to do with the gold rush?
Maybe theirs was automatic in some way?
QI - What hath God wrought?
Clive the flying ostrich: Amateur Polymath | Chief Heretic. Posted Nov 10, 2008
Not the gold rush.
What do you mean by automatic?
QI - What hath God wrought?
Icy North Posted Nov 10, 2008
Well, hands-free. I was guessing (incorrectly) that all the people operating the wires had fled to Colorado.
QI - What hath God wrought?
Clive the flying ostrich: Amateur Polymath | Chief Heretic. Posted Nov 10, 2008
Not hands free.
QI - What hath God wrought?
minichessemouse - Ahoy there me barnacle! Posted Nov 10, 2008
was it powered by a hampster? 
seriously though, i have no idea!
mini
QI - What hath God wrought?
Clive the flying ostrich: Amateur Polymath | Chief Heretic. Posted Nov 10, 2008
It wasn't hamster powered, no. 
QI - What hath God wrought?
U168592 Posted Nov 10, 2008
ooo, was it powered by a lemon, or a banana?
QI - What hath God wrought?
Clive the flying ostrich: Amateur Polymath | Chief Heretic. Posted Nov 10, 2008
Neither.
QI - What hath God wrought?
Taff Agent of kaos Posted Nov 10, 2008
the aparatus was made of two different metals and was getting rained on producing its own weak current thus being self powered
QI - What hath God wrought?
Clive the flying ostrich: Amateur Polymath | Chief Heretic. Posted Nov 10, 2008
Not correct but I like the way you are thinking.
QI - What hath God wrought?
Taff Agent of kaos Posted Nov 10, 2008
it was struck by lightning and the entire system was electrified in some sort of freak never to happen again way
QI - What hath God wrought?
Clive the flying ostrich: Amateur Polymath | Chief Heretic. Posted Nov 10, 2008
It wasn't struck by lightening.
Perhaps if you expend some thought on what property of the Boston to Portland Line in particular meant it was operational that day.
QI - What hath God wrought?
swl Posted Nov 10, 2008
Well, it's downhill innit. The electricons just sorta rolled down the cables. Kinda?
QI - What hath God wrought?
Deadangel - Still not dead, just! Posted Nov 10, 2008
Drat! I've googled it, and I was right about part of it. Mind you, from what's on the web Clive, you were wrong about part of it.
QI - What hath God wrought?
Clive the flying ostrich: Amateur Polymath | Chief Heretic. Posted Nov 10, 2008
It was in the morning but that's got nothing to do with it nor has going downhill. 
QI - What hath God wrought?
Clive the flying ostrich: Amateur Polymath | Chief Heretic. Posted Nov 10, 2008
Oh?
Come and tell me on my personal space, but not according to my sources.
QI - What hath God wrought?
Malabarista - now with added pony Posted Nov 10, 2008
This would be Portland, Maine, not Portland, Oregon or any of the others inside and outside the US?
Key: Complain about this post
QI - What hath God wrought?
- 1: Clive the flying ostrich: Amateur Polymath | Chief Heretic. (Nov 10, 2008)
- 2: Icy North (Nov 10, 2008)
- 3: Clive the flying ostrich: Amateur Polymath | Chief Heretic. (Nov 10, 2008)
- 4: Icy North (Nov 10, 2008)
- 5: Clive the flying ostrich: Amateur Polymath | Chief Heretic. (Nov 10, 2008)
- 6: minichessemouse - Ahoy there me barnacle! (Nov 10, 2008)
- 7: Clive the flying ostrich: Amateur Polymath | Chief Heretic. (Nov 10, 2008)
- 8: U168592 (Nov 10, 2008)
- 9: Clive the flying ostrich: Amateur Polymath | Chief Heretic. (Nov 10, 2008)
- 10: Taff Agent of kaos (Nov 10, 2008)
- 11: Clive the flying ostrich: Amateur Polymath | Chief Heretic. (Nov 10, 2008)
- 12: Taff Agent of kaos (Nov 10, 2008)
- 13: Clive the flying ostrich: Amateur Polymath | Chief Heretic. (Nov 10, 2008)
- 14: Rod (Nov 10, 2008)
- 15: swl (Nov 10, 2008)
- 16: Deadangel - Still not dead, just! (Nov 10, 2008)
- 17: Br Robyn Hoode - Navo - complete with theme tune (Nov 10, 2008)
- 18: Clive the flying ostrich: Amateur Polymath | Chief Heretic. (Nov 10, 2008)
- 19: Clive the flying ostrich: Amateur Polymath | Chief Heretic. (Nov 10, 2008)
- 20: Malabarista - now with added pony (Nov 10, 2008)
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