The wireless telegraph (or radio) was invented by Marconi. This allowed communications without the need for a connecting wire between transmitter and receiver. In other respects it operated very similarly to the wired telegraph with Morse code used for digitally encoding the messages and a single key tapped to transmit.
Guglielmo Marconi was born on 25 April 1874 in Bologna, Italy. He was educated in Bologna and in Florence and later studied Physics at Leghorn. He had a keen interest in physics and electrical systems.
Marconi built his first successful wireless radio in 1895 testing it by transmitting signals from his house to garden in Italy. He formed the Wireless Telegraph & Signal Company Limited and transmitted across the English Channel to France. In 1901 the first transatlantic message was sent from Cornwall, England to Newfoundland, Canada.
Did You Know?
In 1910 the wireless helped in the apprehension of a dangerous criminal. The captain of the westward bound SS Montrose was suspicious about a passenger and sent a message from mid-Atlantic to England.
"Have strong suspicions that Crippen London cellar murderer and accomplice are among saloon passengers. Accomplice dressed as a boy. Voice manner and build undoubtedly a girl."
Scotland Yard despatched an inspector on the faster SS Laurentic, overtaking the Montrose and arresting Crippen on arrival in Canada.
Marconi received many honorary doctorates and awards including the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1909.
Marconi died on 20 July 1937 in Rome, Italy.
US 586,193 “Transmitting Electrical Signals” 13 July 1897.
Click here to read the original patent
