100th Anniversary of Radio
"They told Marconi
wireless was a phony.
… Who’s got the last laugh now?" –Ira Gershwin
December 24, 1906, marks a major day in radio history. One hundred years ago, sailors in the Atlantic Ocean heard the first voice broadcast from Massachusetts.
And where did I learn about this story? Well, honestly, my Mom heard it first on the radio and told me about it. Then I heard it myself on the radio. Er, not the original broadcast 100 years ago (we’re not /that/ old), but the National Public Radio coverage of the anniversary.
Apparently, some of the landmarks of the early days of radio are still in Massachusetts somewhere. Field trip anyone?
I’m a huge radio fan, as some of you know. Just the other day, I was talking to a studio guest about his idea that radio still has more power than television.
Happy anniversary radio & many more!
"Radio, what’s new?
Radio, someone still loves you." –Queen
December 25th, 2006 at 10:10 pm
i’ve not been to the North American Marconi site, but i’ve visited the plinth that comemorates his work in Cornwall. it’s on the top of a cliff that you have to hike to, so i doubt it’s much visited, but it’s still pretty cool.
December 25th, 2006 at 10:18 pm
just realized i should probably clarify my comment: Marconi’s broadcast was Morse code (and in 1901) – but it was also in December. strange how December would be “the” month for radio advancement…
December 26th, 2006 at 7:57 am
A trip to Poldhu sounds like a nice idea: http://www.marconi.com/Home/about_us/Our%20History/Marconi%20Heritage/Celebrating%20the%20Centenary%20of%20the%20First%20Transatlantic%20Wireless%20Signal%201901-2001 .
December 26th, 2006 at 11:08 am
Maybe we could coordinate: some of us can be at the site in Massachusetts and some of us can be at the site in Cornwall at the same time. ; )