Author Event: David Dufty - Newcastle (City) Library
Thursday 10 October 2024
6 days from now
6 - 7pm
1 hour
Join us for a talk with historian and researcher David Dufty about his latest book, Charles Todd's Magnificent Obsession.
The year was 1870, and mail took six weeks to get to England by sea. Australians hungered for the speedy communication a telegraph connection would bring. Engineer Charles Todd promised that he could string up wires on poles from Adelaide over 3,000 kilometres to an undersea cable in Darwin harbour in just eighteen months. This is the extraordinary story of the building of the Overland Telegraph, a feat of engineering and a wild gamble that nearly went terribly wrong.
Drawing on original letters and journals, historian David Dufty has uncovered never-before-published details about this groundbreaking project. This is a tale of obsession and heroism, violence and tragedy, and above all, it's a totally compelling yarn.
Copies of Charles Todd's Magnificent Obsession will be available for purchase and signing at the event.
Cost: Free
Bookings essential
If you have any access or inclusion needs, you will be able to advise us when booking.
The year was 1870, and mail took six weeks to get to England by sea. Australians hungered for the speedy communication a telegraph connection would bring. Engineer Charles Todd promised that he could string up wires on poles from Adelaide over 3,000 kilometres to an undersea cable in Darwin harbour in just eighteen months. This is the extraordinary story of the building of the Overland Telegraph, a feat of engineering and a wild gamble that nearly went terribly wrong.
Drawing on original letters and journals, historian David Dufty has uncovered never-before-published details about this groundbreaking project. This is a tale of obsession and heroism, violence and tragedy, and above all, it's a totally compelling yarn.
Copies of Charles Todd's Magnificent Obsession will be available for purchase and signing at the event.
Cost: Free
Bookings essential
If you have any access or inclusion needs, you will be able to advise us when booking.
