Albert MacDonald

Albert MacDonald (17 December 1870 – 25 October 1924) was a telegraphist on the Australian Overland Telegraph Line and cyclist who broke the continental record in 1898 when he cycled from Darwin to Melbourne in 33 days. He later invented the Pendograph.

Early life MacDonald was born in Clare, South Australia and was the son of David and Christina MacDonald and his father worked as a tailor. When MacDonald was a small child the family moved to Orroroo, South Australia where he attended school. After completing school he worked as a messenger for the Post and Telegraph Services on 4 August 1885 until, in 1888, he began working as a junior telegraph officer first at Orrorroo (1888–1889), Melrose (1890–1891) and then at the Central Telegraph Office in Adelaide (1892–1893). Their support was on a 'no result, no pay' basis.

MacDonald set out from Darwin on 22 August 1898 and reached Adelaide on 19 September, a time of 28 days, and was the fourth person to complete this route and he continued on to Melbourne with a complete journey time of 33 days. His longest cycling day was between Wilmington and Adelaide, a distance of and, between Adelaide and Melbourne, he averaged a day.

In 1907 MacDonald also travelled to the United States in order to learn about improvements which had been made there in order to reduce repetitive strain injuries; particularly as they related to vibratory mechanical transmitters. Based on this trip MacDonald developed the Pendograph which used a pendulum type vibrator rather than a horizonal vibrator, which he patented on 28 April 1908. This invention claimed to lessen repetitive strain by around 75% and was sold throughout Australia.

In 1915 he became a postal inspector.

Personal life On 18 April 1899 MacDonald married Lillian Maude Turler in Morphett Vale, South Australia and they had four children together Trempice, Stewart, Nancy and Betty.

After Lillian's death MacDonald married Edith Holmes on 24 June 1924.

Death MacDonald died on 23 October 1924 on West Terrace, Adelaide just a few moths after his second marriage.