Lawrence Maxwell Waterhouse
Lawrence Maxwell Waterhouse (1868-1942), founder of Simplex Conduits and launched the British Prometheus Co
1922 M.I. E.E., M.I.A.E., A.M.Inst.C.E., Memb. Int. Soc. of Elect. (Paris), Tech. Director, Simplex Conduits, Ltd., Credenda Conduits, Ltd., and Tube Investments, Ltd.; b. 1868; s. of late Rev. C. J. Waterhouse, M.A. (Cantab.), Chaplain to Forces, Indian Army. Ed. " Craigmount," Edinburgh. Training: Heriot-Watt Tech. Coll., University of Edinburgh. Joint Medallist in Elec. Eng. of his year. Career: Lecturer in Physics and Elec. Eng., Brighton and Croydon Tech. Schs.; Asst. to Cons. Engr. for the lighting of Aberdeen Asylum; Cons. Engr. to Duke of Fife for the lighting of Mew Lodge, Sir William Cunliffe Brooks, Aboyne, etc.; for 22 years Man. Dir. and Engr., Simplex Conduits, Ltd. Publ.: " Conduit Wiring "; Articles in Elec. Press. Clubs: British Motor Boat Road. Address: 113-117, Charing Cross Road, W.C.2.
1942 Obituary [1]
LAWRENCE MAXWELL WATERHOUSE, born in 1868, was educated at Craigmount School and received his technical training at Heriot-Watt Technical College, Edinburgh. For some years he was Lecturer in Physics and Electrical Engineering at Brighton Technical College and Croydon Polytechnic, also undertaking some consulting work in connection with various electric lighting schemes. He then for a time joined the P. and O. Steam Navigation Co. as a sea-going electrician. In 1898 his interests in the field of distribution led him to form the Simplex Steel Conduit Co., which in 1906 became Simplex Conduits, Ltd., of which Company he was Managing Director for some years. At this time he was keenly interested in convection heating systems, and was largely concerned in launching the British Prometheus Co. During the latter part of his varied and active career he became associated with the cable industry, first taking up a position with the Cable Makers' Association, and later becoming Power Cable Sales Manager to the Telegraph Construction and Maintenance Co.
He joined The Institution as an Associate in 1890, was elected an Associate Member in 1899 and a Member in 1903. He was also the first President of the Batti-Wallahs' Society. He took a keen interest in yachting, and was a founder-member of the British Motor Boat Club. His business and social activities were alike marked by his kind and friendly personality.