A single discovery – A lot of claims and controversies

Radio – the most popular medium of entertainment among common man, half century back. Though it has taken few methods like FM to popularize it, still its remote control is in the hands of television and cable network. Once it was considered as a magic among millions and till now, a lot of claims have made about the real inventor of radio. So, through this column let me give you a brief note on those claims. 

Marconi is credited to the invention of radio

In 1895, 21 year old Marconi demonstrated application of radio in communication purposes. In 1896 he got British patent to develop and propagate radio communication services and equipment. Thus he was the first person who got the patent for radio. But before that, in 1893 Nicola Tesla conducted his first exhibition on his radio experiments and he got American patent as well. But he could not implement it in proper way for industrial purposes and thus the patent was withdrawn. Then it was given to Guglielmo Marconi. 

Though it was proved in court in 1941 that Tesla was the first person who became successful in transmitting sound signals in electromagnetic field still the credit goes to Marconi as he was the first person to expand his experiments and successfully implemented in industrial purpose. That’s the reason why Marconi is known as ‘The Father of long distance radio transmission’.

But for Russians it is Alexander Popov who is known as the ‘Father of telegraphy’. He was first person to demonstrate the practical application of electromagnetic radio waves. He built his first radio receiver in the year 1894.

When we mention about controversies and battles for the real inventor of radio, a few more names also come to limelight. Indian scientist J. C. Bose needs special mention. Through his researches he proved that messages can be transmitted through air without the mediation of wires and now he has been credited with the invention of the first wireless detection device. Though Bose made some landmark contributions in the wireless communication field, he made his inventions public in order to allow others to further develop his research. Names of Mahlon Loomis and David E. Hughes are also linked with the invention of this amazing wireless equipment.

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