They were a devoted pair, and
Madame du Moncel played the double part of a faithful help-meet, and
inspiring genius. Heart and soul she encouraged her husband to
distinguish himself by his talents and energy, and even assisted him in
his labours.
About 1852 he began to occupy himself almost exclusively with electrical
science. His most conspicuous discovery is that pressure diminishes the
resistance of contact between two conductors, a fact which Clerac in
1866 utilised in the construction of a variable resistance from carbon,
such as plumbage, by compressing it with an adjustable screw. It is
also the foundation of the carbon transmitter of Edison, and the more
delicate microphone of Professor Hughes. But Du Moncel is best known as
an author and journalist. His 'Expose des applications de
l'electricite' published in 1856 ET SEQ., and his 'Traite pratique de
Telegraphie,' not to mention his later books on recent marvels, such as
the telephone, microphone, phonograph, and electric light, are standard
works of reference. In the compilation of these his admirable wife
assisted him as a literary amanuensis, for she had acquired a
considerable knowledge of electricity.
In 1866 he was created an officer of the Legion of Honour, and he became
a member of numerous learned societies.
Pages:
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358