In his analysis of signal propagation in telegraph cables Heaviside demonstrated a masterful ability to manipulate the mathematics
of partial differential equations. Maxwell’s theory, to which he turned his full attention at this point, carried overtones
of Hamilton’s powerful, if somewhat abstruse, algebra of quaternions. Having read Heaviside’ early work, one could expect
him to follow suit, expand the analysis, and apply his mathematical skills to the detailed study of specific, illustrative
cases just as he did with the telegraph cable.