In the Beginning, There Was No Radio.

In today’s day and age, it might be safe to say that we take a heap of technology for granted. With so much of our lives functioning on the existence of phones, tablets, WiFi and newer technology, we forget to appreciate their humble beginnings. If it weren’t for the huge old landlines with the spirally chords or the record players we may not be as advanced as we are today. So here’s an appreciation for the invention of the radio, because without it, this wouldn’t be here!

So it all began with a guy named Guglielmo Marconi who realised the transmission of radio signals. After being turned down by the Italian government, Marconi went to England and experimented further with his findings. In 1989, the first “broadcast” was aired and a year later a radio link between Britain and France was established. It took several years though, to emit radio signals carrying voices and in 1921 this marvel was achieved.

But alas, it was not Marconi to whom the radio DJ’s praised each morning. In 1884, a Serb by the name of Nikola Tesla entered the USA and invented the theoretical model of the radio. He became acknowledged as the inventor of radio, after a legal scuffle with Marconi, even though he didn’t actually come up with a working radio. Then enters a name that sounds familiar, although is in no relation to the Bose sound systems we know, J.C. Bose, who was actually the one who solved the problem of transmitting radio waves through walls and other impenetrable objects. It is thought that Marconi actually stole Bose’s notebook while at the Royal Society meeting where Bose demonstrated his experiment. Talk about draaaammma!

To add onto all of that, a random farmer from Kentucky rumoured to have made voice transmissions four years before Marconi ever did. However, he didn’t brag about his invention in the event that it should be stolen. However, when he died, there was no equipment in sight so I guess he did have cause to worry about the klepto’s.

With more sauce in its spaghetti than an episode of Devious Maids, the history of the radio is quite the saga. In its season finale, nonetheless, Tesla comes out as the ruler of them all and remains acknowledged as the inventor of radio. Perhaps the American Dream does exist after all.

-Written By: Nadia Ghumra