frederick john clendinnen was a well-known doctor of medicine practising in melbourne. he was an early adopter of x-ray technology and in june 1896 published a wide variety of photographs displaying his art. while continuing his work in x-rays, he was also an inventor in electrical fields. in september 1897, he applied for a patent for an improved coin-operated public telephone. in september 1897, a lecture and demonstration by clendinnen of x-rays included brief work on "tesla's experiments" assumed to be wireless. a similar lecture and demonstration was given at kew in december 1897. in february 1899, clendinnen demonstrated his wireless telegraphy equipment to the deputy postmaster-general of victoria and other officers. his experiments diverged from the usual into remote detonation of fuses by wireless, as reported in december 1899. the wireless detonation of fuses appears to have caught the public attention and this feature was again included in a lecture to the bendigo school of mines in august 1900 which principally addressed x-rays. it was noted in the lecture that the induction coil had been manufactured by edward hope kirkby of williamstown. thereafter, clendinnen's professional work with the booming x-ray field became his passion. sadly, like so many of the earliest workers in the field, the frequent exposure of x-rays on his own body took its toll. at age only 55 years, he died in london in november 1913, while attending the world medical congress.