james oddie acquired considerable wealth during the gold rush period in ballarat, and used much of that wealth in philanthropic pursuits. he was closely involved in the ballarat school of mines and taught there for a period. in the late 1890s he was involved in wireless telegraphy experiments, but detailed records appear limited. famously, while visiting bragg and todd in adelaide, he learned of their need for a second large induction coil and promptly arranged dispatch of his own unit which greatly assisted their more advanced experiments.