Noted Scientist Marries Secretly

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7280, 6 October 1933, Page 2

Noted Scientist Marries Secretly

Tho scientist whose discovery made broadcasting and wireless telephony possible, Sir Ambrose Fleming, has been married in secret at tho ago of S 3. His bride, Miss Olive May Franks, of Manor Park, Eedland, Bristol, a wireless singer, is 34 years old. The wedding took place very quietly at St. Pancras Parish Church. Sir Ambrose was the discoverer of the thermionic valve, without which broadcasting or wireless telephony would have been impossible. Ho assisted Marconi in early experiments in wireless telegraphy. He was afflicted with deafness at an early ago, and, after the discovery of the electron by Professor J. J. Thompson, he thought of tho electron as a means of alleviating his deafness. The result was the thermionic valve, which has enabled tho world—through Fleming’s deafness—to hear broadcasts and to fling telephono conversations from London to Sydney. Sir Ambrose lives mostly at Sidmouth, Devon, and it was there that ho met Miss Franks. She is a wollknown soprano, and was singing at Sidmouth Festival, two years ago, wheii she first made the scientist’s acquaintance.