# AC506 - 7/10/1973, USA, Postcard, Progress in Electronics Series of 1973
First Day Cover Honors Marconi's Electronics Progress
Issued to commemorate the progress made in electronics, the stamp on this First Day Cover (#1500) features Guglielmo Marconi's spark coil and spark gap, which enabled him to transmit across the Atlantic Ocean by wireless radio. The cachet pictures Marconi and his invention.
First Successful Wireless Communication Over Water
Born in Bologna, Italy, on April 25, 1874, Guglielmo Marconi spent his early years in his native country as well as Bedford, England. He reportedly didn’t do well in school, but had an interest in science and electricity.
By the early 1890s, he became invested in the idea of “wireless telegraphy” (sending telegraph messages without the use of wires). He wasn’t the first person to explore this – in fact, people had been exploring the idea for over 50 years – but none were successful. Though Heinrich Hertz introduced the idea of electromagnetic radiation (radio waves) in 1888. At the time, most scientists believed that radio was like an invisible form of light that could only be detected within a line of sight.
Marconi furthered his inventions by studying the research of physicists who experimented with radio waves. While to many radio waves were little more than a laboratory experiment, Marconi used them to create a new communication system. In a short time he developed portable transmitters and receiver systems that could work over long distance.
By 1895, Marconi was ready to take his experiment outside. Trying a variety of arrangements and antenna shapes, he was unable to send signals over half a mile away, which had previously been predicted as the maximum distance for radio wave transmission. But he soon made a breakthrough. Marconi discovered that his transmissions could go farther if he raised his antenna higher and grounded the transmitter and receiver. Soon he could send transmissions up to two miles away and over hills. He realized the commercial and military value of his invention and asked for funding from the Ministry of Post and telegraphs. The minister never responded and Marconi was convinced to go to England, where he would have better luck getting funding.
The British were extremely impressed with Marconi’s success and introduced his findings to the public over a series of lectures. He soon received international attention. In the next couple years he triumphantly returned to Italy for a demonstration, successfully transmitted messages across the English Channel, and made his first presentation in America.
Though many doubted it was possible, Marconi was convinced that he could send a message across the Atlantic Ocean. He achieved that victory on December 12, 1901, sending a message 2,200 miles from England to Canada. For his pioneering work, Marconi later received the Nobel Prize in Physics.
First Day Cover Honors Marconi's Electronics Progress
Issued to commemorate the progress made in electronics, the stamp on this First Day Cover (#1500) features Guglielmo Marconi's spark coil and spark gap, which enabled him to transmit across the Atlantic Ocean by wireless radio. The cachet pictures Marconi and his invention.
First Successful Wireless Communication Over Water
Born in Bologna, Italy, on April 25, 1874, Guglielmo Marconi spent his early years in his native country as well as Bedford, England. He reportedly didn’t do well in school, but had an interest in science and electricity.
By the early 1890s, he became invested in the idea of “wireless telegraphy” (sending telegraph messages without the use of wires). He wasn’t the first person to explore this – in fact, people had been exploring the idea for over 50 years – but none were successful. Though Heinrich Hertz introduced the idea of electromagnetic radiation (radio waves) in 1888. At the time, most scientists believed that radio was like an invisible form of light that could only be detected within a line of sight.
Marconi furthered his inventions by studying the research of physicists who experimented with radio waves. While to many radio waves were little more than a laboratory experiment, Marconi used them to create a new communication system. In a short time he developed portable transmitters and receiver systems that could work over long distance.
By 1895, Marconi was ready to take his experiment outside. Trying a variety of arrangements and antenna shapes, he was unable to send signals over half a mile away, which had previously been predicted as the maximum distance for radio wave transmission. But he soon made a breakthrough. Marconi discovered that his transmissions could go farther if he raised his antenna higher and grounded the transmitter and receiver. Soon he could send transmissions up to two miles away and over hills. He realized the commercial and military value of his invention and asked for funding from the Ministry of Post and telegraphs. The minister never responded and Marconi was convinced to go to England, where he would have better luck getting funding.
The British were extremely impressed with Marconi’s success and introduced his findings to the public over a series of lectures. He soon received international attention. In the next couple years he triumphantly returned to Italy for a demonstration, successfully transmitted messages across the English Channel, and made his first presentation in America.
Though many doubted it was possible, Marconi was convinced that he could send a message across the Atlantic Ocean. He achieved that victory on December 12, 1901, sending a message 2,200 miles from England to Canada. For his pioneering work, Marconi later received the Nobel Prize in Physics.