Radio Research Laboratories Abroad

Abstract

THE rapid and widespread growth of radio communication and its associated industries has been one of the most notable events during the past fifteen years. The inception and development of broadcasting, and later of television, resulting from the earlier introduction of the thermionic valve to industry, have revolutionised the scope of normal commercial telegraphic and telephonic communication. These developments have naturally been accompanied by the establishment of radio frequency research laboratories in all parts of the world, some of these being controlled by government administration, while others are associated with private enterprise. The issue of La Nature of September 15 is devoted to an illustrated account of several such radio research laboratories. Much space is devoted to the work of the French institutions, Le Laboratoire National de Radio-Electricite, Le Laboratoire du Comite Consultatif, Les Laboratoires de Recherches du “Materiel Téléphonique”, and to the private laboratories engaged on television. In addition, however, the work of the Heinrich Hertz Institute and of M. von Ardenne in Berlin are described briefly ; while attention is also devoted to the Philips Laboratories at Eindhoven, the Bell Telephone Laboratories in New York, the Italian Television Laboratory and that of the Baird Television Laboratory, the only English laboratory mentioned. Further articles deal with work in France in connexion with broadcasting, valve manufacture and research on the interference problem. The whole issue presents an interesting summary of the scope and position of research in the institutions enumerated.