edward hope kirkby was a jeweler watchmaker in williamstown who eventually became a manufacturing electrician making systems of fire protection, in 1908 he invented and patented the first automatic sprinkler alarm. he is first recorded as experimenting with x-ray in september 1896. he is reported as experimenting with the medical staff at williamstown hospital later that year. in 1900 dr clenndinnen was party to demonstrating x-ray at bendigo school of mines using a kirkby manufactured x-ray coil, said by him that it was an excellent one. kirkby eventually moved to sydney in 1907 where he set up business manufacturing x-ray apparatus and consulting with the medical profession he was first recorded practically demonstrating wireless telegraphy along with x-ray in 1899 he was demonstrating experiments in x-ray and wireless at the federal exhibition and palace of amusements in 1903 in 1905 on the passing of the wireless telegraphy act he was being interviewed as an expert on the subject of wireless telegraphy as the paper didn't trust the pmg department to adequately understand it's implications