 After leaving the University of Nottingham in 1882, Fleming took up the post of "electrician" to the Edison Electrical Light Company, advising on lighting systems and the new Ferranti alternating current systems.In 1884 Fleming joined University College London taking up the Chair of Electrical Technology, the first of its kind in England.Although this offered great opportunities, he recalls in his autobiography that the only equipment provided to him was a blackboard and piece of chalk.