[Amos Emerson]. American physicist, born at Norwich, CT, on the 10th of November 1837. In 1866–67 he was instructor of chemistry at the University of Michigan, from which he received the degree of Ph.D. in 1883, and in 1867–68 assistant professor of natural sciences in the University of Kentucky. From 1868 to 1874 he was professor in Bethany College, WV, and then became professor of physics and astronomy in Tufts College, College Hill, MA. He invented the electric gyroscope in 1867, used to demonstrate the rotation of the earth; tuning-forks to exhibit Lissajou’s curves in 1872; the opeidoscope, to exhibit vocal vibrations; in 1876 the magneto-electric telephone; and in 1879 the static telephone. He published The Art of Projecting (1877–88); The Telephone, with Directions for Making a Speaking-Telephone (1877); Sound and Its Phenomena (1885).
