Progress in Radio Communication

Abstract

IT is a matter worthy of note that the remarkable progress of radio communication during the last quarter of a century has proceeded largely from the exploitation of the properties of that late-nineteenth century discovery, the free electron. For it is no exaggeration to say that practically all the instrumental progress of the period is connected in some way with that wonderful device, the three-electrode electron tube, while we now realise that the spectacular annihilation of distances in round-the-world communication by wireless is only brought about by the beneficent influence of free electrons at high atmospheric levels. Another significant feature of the period is that radio developments have had an unusually marked influence on human intercourse for, through broadcasting, there has been introduced a new and permanent feature of social and cultural enlightenment while, by way of the oversea wireless telephone, the different parts of the Empire have been brought into a closer unity which from time to time has been sealed by personal messages of greeting from His Majesty the King to all his subjects throughout the world.