Arthur Rogers' skill as instrument maker a key to William Bragg's physics experiments at Adelaide University

Arthur Rogers (left) created crucial instruments for research at Adelaude University by William Bragg, Elder professor of mathematics and experimental physics research, in his journey towards the 1915 Nobel Prize for physics shared with his son Lawrence. At right: Apparatus built by Rogers for Bragg's research into alpha particles in 1906.
Arthur Rogers images courtesy E.J. Rogers.

Arthur Rogers' superb skill in creating the Adelaide University laboratory apparatus was critical to the success of William Bragg, Elder professor of mathematics and experimental physics research, in his breakthrough alpha particle and gamma ray experiments towards the 1915 Nobel Prize for physics shared with his son Lawrence.

Rogers was born the son of a doctor in Devonshire, England, but his schooling was hampered by illness and physical disability. He has manually dexterous and learnt to paint and draw, then worked with the Siemens company in metal, wood and glass.

In the 1880s, Rogers migrated to South Australia, hoping its climate would improve his health. He still was bothered by severe headaches and walked only with the aid of sticks.

Rogers joined Edwin Sawtells’ optical and watchmaking business at Port Adelaide and later in Rundle Street and North Terrace, Adelaide city. Sawtells made, repaired and were agents for varied equipment (nautical, electrical, photographic, surveying), as well as watches, spectacles, charts and books. Rogers quickly rose to be foreman and instrument maker in the comprehensive workshop.

At Sawtells, Rogers met professor William Bragg, who had apprenticed himself with the company to learn how to work a lathe and make the apparatus for his classes and laboratory at Adelaide University.

In 1889, William Bragg wrote to Rogers awarding him a place as "skilled mechanic" in the laboratory that Adelaide University council had approved. Rogers built teaching and laboratory apparatus, made X-ray tubes for the early experiments, and built radio equipment for the first successful radio transmissions in Australia, and crafted all the apparatus for Bragg's alpha particle and gamma-ray experiments. He also helped at public lectures and helped medical practitioners with X-ray photography and resharpening their scalpels.

One of Bragg’s last actions before his departure from Adelaie at the end of 1908 was to ask Adelaide University council to increase Rogers’ salary. When William Bragg left Adelaide, Rogers was upset. He disliked Bragg's successor as physics professor and recorded satisfyingly in his diary for May 19, 1909: “Kerr Grant blown up”.