A Stockbridge damper is a tuned mass damper used to suppress wind-induced vibrations on slender structures such as overhead power lines, long cantilevered signs and cable-stayed bridges. The dumbbell-shaped device consists of two masses at the ends of a short length of cable or flexible rod, which is clamped at its middle to the main cable. The damper is designed to dissipate the energy of oscillations in the main cable to an acceptable level. Wind-induced oscillation Wind can generate three major modes of oscillation in suspended cables: Gallop has an amplitude measured in metres and a frequency range of 0.08 to 3 Hz Aeolian vibration (sometimes termed flutter) has an amplitude of millimetres to centimetres and a frequency of 3 to 150 Hz Wake-induced vibration has an amplitude of centimetres and a frequency of 0.15 to 10 Hz The Stockbridge damper targets oscillations due to aeolian vibration; it is less effective outside this amplitude and frequency range. Aeolian vibration occurs in the vertical plane and is caused by alternating shedding of vortices on the leeward side of the cable. A steady but moderate wind can induce a standing wave pattern on the line consisting of several wavelengths per span. Aeolian vibration causes damaging stress fatigue to the cable and represents the principal cause of failure of conductor strands. The ends of a power line span, where it is clamped to the transmission towers, are at most risk. The effect becomes more pronounced with increased cable tension, as its natural self-damping is reduced. Description The Stockbridge damper was invented in the 1920s by George H. Stockbridge, who was an engineer for Southern California Edison. Stockbridge obtained US patent 1675391 on 3 July 1928 for a "vibration damper". His patent described three means of damping vibrations on lines: a sack of metal punchings tied to the line; a short length of cable clamped parallel to the main cable; and a short (30 in, 75 cm) cable with a concrete mass fixed at each end. This last device developed into the widely used Stockbridge damper. Vibrations in the main cable were passed down through the clamp and into the shorter damper, or "messenger", cable. This would flex and cause the symmetrically-placed concrete blocks at its ends to oscillate. Careful choice of the mass of the blocks, and the stiffness and length of the damper cable would match the mechanical impedance of the damper