Guglielmo Marconi (1874

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Biography

Guglielmo Giovanni Maria Marconi, 1st Marquess, was an Italian radio-frequency engineer, inventor, and politician known for his creation of a practical radio wave-based wireless telegraph system. This led to his being largely credited as the inventor of radio and sharing the 1909 Nobel Prize in Physics with Ferdinand Braun "in recognition of their contributions to the development of wireless telegraphy." His work laid the foundation for the development of radio, television, and all modern wireless communication systems.

In Their Own Words (3)

Have I done the world good, or have I added a menace?

Marconi, 1934: cited in Raboy, Marc (2016) The Man Who Networked the World'', p. 631 , 2016

This new form of communication could have some utility.

Marconi, 1899: cited in: Simon Saunders, ‎Alejandro Aragón-Zavala (2007) Antennas and Propagation for Wireless Communication. p. 361 , 2007

So be it, let it be so.

Marconi 1898, cited in: Alvin K. Benson (2010) Great Lives from History. p. 759 , 2010

Timeline

The story of Guglielmo Marconi, told in moments.

1895 Event

At 20, sends radio signals across his father's estate near Bologna, ringing a bell 1.5 kilometers away. The Italian government isn't interested. His mother takes him to London, where the British Post Office is.

Ringing a bell 1.5 km away at twenty. Did Italy's disinterest sting? Your mother taking you to London. Was she your best advocate?

1897 Event

Founds the Wireless Telegraph and Signal Company in London at 23. Patents keep coming. He transmits signals across the English Channel in 1899. The distance keeps growing.

A company at twenty-three. Were you an inventor or an entrepreneur? Did the English Channel feel like a barrier or a challenge?

1901 Event

Claims to receive the first transatlantic radio signal in St. John's, Newfoundland. The letter "S" (three dots in Morse code) is sent from Poldhu, Cornwall, 2,200 miles away. Scientists insist it's impossible. He does it again.

Scientists said transatlantic radio was impossible. Did that motivate you? Three dots across 2,200 miles. Were you sure it was real?

1909 Event

Shares the Nobel Prize in Physics with Ferdinand Braun "for their contributions to the development of wireless telegraphy." He is 35. The Titanic's distress signal three years later proves the life-saving value of his technology. 712 passengers are rescued because the Carpathia has a Marconi wireless.

The Titanic's distress signal saving 712 lives. Did that feel like vindication? Sharing the Nobel with Braun. Did you mind sharing?

1937 Death

Dies of heart failure in Rome at 63. Italy gives him a state funeral. Radio stations around the world observe two minutes of silence. The airwaves he filled go quiet for him.

Radio stations observing two minutes of silence for you. Would that move you? The airwaves you filled going quiet. Is that the right tribute?

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