David Dufty talk: Charles Todd's Magnificent Obsession
About
The construction of Australia's Overland Telegraph was an extraordinary feat of engineering and a wild gamble that nearly went terribly wrong.This is a tale of obsession, heroism, and tragedy and, above all, it's a totally compelling yarn!
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 km to an undersea cable in Darwin Harbour in just 18 months. It was a wild gamble that became an epic race against time.
Dufty is a Canberra-based researcher and writer. His other titles include: The Secret Code Breakers of Central Bureau, Radio Girl, Nabbing Ned Kelly.
$8 Friends members / $10 Guests (includes afternoon tea). Everyone welcome.
Books available for purchase and signing.
Date
Saturday 2 August 2025 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM (UTC+10)Location
Kiama Library (upstairs)
7 Railway Parade, Kiama NSW 2533
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David Dufty talk: Charles Todd's Magnificent Obsession
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