The need to transmit information over long distances arose in mankind at the dawn of primitive civilization. At first, they used smoke from a fire or reflected sunlight, signal lights or pigeon mail. People had made do with these methods for thousands of years, until the invention of the flag signal (at the end of the 18th century) and the telegraph (in 1832). Over time, however, the information being transmitted became more and more complex, leading to the creation of new systems.
The word “radio” in translation from Latin radiare means “to radiate, to emit rays”. The basis of radio is electromagnetic waves. Today every schoolboy knows this, but humanity only became aware of them at the end of the seventeenth century – and even then only vaguely. It took another two centuries for the English scientist Michael Faraday in the late 1830’s to finally make a confident statement about the discovery of electromagnetic waves. Another 30 years later, another scientist from Great Britain, James Maxwell, completed the construction of the electromagnetic field theory, which found its application in physics.
Around the same time, the American dentist Mahlon Loomis announced that he had discovered a method of wireless communication. The signal was transmitted using two kites to which electrical wires were attached. One was the antenna of a radio transmitter and the other was the antenna of a radio receiver. When the circuit of one wire was disconnected from the ground, the arrow of the galvanometer also deflected in the circuit of the other wire. According to the claims of the inventor, the signal was transmitted at a distance of more than 22 km. In 1872 Loomis received the world’s first patent for wireless communication. But unfortunately the document doesn’t contain a detailed description of the devices used by the inventor. Blueprints of his devices have not survived either.
In 1880-1890 a number of scientists almost simultaneously conducted successful experiments on the use of electromagnetic waves with improved elements. This is why today several countries claim to be the inventor of radio.
In Germany, Heinrich Hertz is credited with discovering how to transmit and receive electromagnetic waves. He did this in 1888. Incidentally, the waves themselves were called “Hertzian Waves” for a long time.
In the United States, the credit for the invention of radio belongs to Nikola Tesla, who patented a transmitter in 1893 and a receiver in 1895. By the way, in 1943, his priority over Marconi was recognized in court. This is due to the fact that Marconi and Popov’s device allowed only a signal function, including the use of Morse code. And Tesla’s device could convert a radio signal into acoustic sound. All modern radio devices based on an oscillating circuit have the same design.
Not just radio anymore
Today Radio Day is a professional holiday not only for those who transmit information. Those who deal with the protection of information, create electronic warfare devices, navigation systems and other sophisticated electronic equipment have a direct relation to it. It is impossible to list them all, so let’s talk about only three of the newest developments.
Because of mass computerization and widespread adoption of network technology, developments in the field of cybersecurity are of great relevance. The threat of cyberterrorism today includes state secrets and high-tech industrial facilities, global transportation hubs and pass-through terminals, electronic payment systems and intelligent automation devices.