magnetic field was critical in the propagation of radio waves over long distances. He had a long-standing rivalry with Oliver Heaviside over his understanding of electricity. It was derisively referred to as "the drain-pipe theory" by Heaviside, because Preece relied on an analogy between electricity and water for thought experiments. Reportedly, he rejected and never understood James Clerk Maxwell's advances to mathematical physics, and insisted that adding inductance to a telegraph line could only be detrimental, even while Maxwell's and Heaviside's theory and experiments showed that inductance could help. Preece once stated, conveying sentiments later expressed by Edwin Armstrong, Preece served as president of the Institution of Civil Engineers between April 1898 and November 1899. References External links Russell Naughton, "Adventures in CyberSound: Preece, William Henry". "100 Welsh Heroes / 100 Arwyr Cymru", 73. Sir William Henry Preece, Groundbreakers. Culturenet Cymru, 2004. Oil on canvas painting by Beatrice Bright of Sir William Preece 1834 births 1913 deaths People from Caernarfon People educated at King's College School, London Alumni of King's College London Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath Welsh electrical engineers Presidents of the Institution of Civil Engineers Presidents of the Smeatonian Society of Civil Engineers Welsh scientists Fellows of the Royal Society People from Caernarfonshire 20th-century Welsh scientists 19th-century Welsh scientists 20th-century British engineers 19th-century British engineers