A Perpetual Soliton Wave Generated on the Union Canal

In 1836 John Scott Russell was experimenting with the most efficient design for canal boats when the boat he was following on horseback suddenly stopped and yet the bow wave continued. He followed this 'wave of translation' on his horse and after a mile or so he lost track of it in the windings of the canal, however he had noticed that its size and speed had remained undiminished. He carried out many experiments on the 'wave' and it took until the 1870's for the phenomenon to be understood. In the 1960s the 'soliton' principles were applied to fibre optic communications.

[@Urbexy]

Incredible how something barely understood when it was discovered, can be re-used in a modern way and share the same properties.

[@rogergriffith286]

Nature is full of surprises. Great fun creating the wave - having a propeller tends to reduce the effect.

[@Urbexy]

@@rogergriffith286 vortexes probably weaken it when they pass through?

[@rogergriffith286]

@@Urbexy Yes - we had several attempts and this was the best result.

[@jigold22571]

Genius Exists Everywhere❤

[@rogergriffith286]

Indeed