Profiles the life and work of Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi, who was a pioneer in the development of wireless communication.

A little over a century ago, the world went wireless. Cables and all their limiting inefficiencies gave way to a revolutionary means of transmitting news and information almost everywhere, instantaneously. By means of "Hertzian waves," as radio waves were initially known, ships could now make contact with other ships (saving lives, such as on the doomed S.S. Titanic); financial markets could coordinate with other financial markets, establishing the price of commodities and fixing exchange rates; military commanders could connect with the front lines, positioning artillery and directing troop movements. Suddenly and irrevocably, time and space telescoped beyond what had been thought imaginable. Someone had not only imagined this networked world but realized it: Guglielmo Marconi. As Marc Raboy shows us in this enthralling and comprehensive biography, Marconi was the first truly global figure in modern communications. Born to an Italian father and an Irish mother, he was in many ways stateless, working his cosmopolitanism to advantage. Through a combination of skill, tenacity, luck, vision, and timing, Marconi popularized--and, more critically, patented--the use of radio waves. Soon after he burst into public view at the age of 22 with a demonstration of his wireless apparatus in London, 1896, he established his Wireless Telegraph & Signal Company and seemed unstoppable. He was decorated by the Czar of Russia, named an Italian Senator, knighted by King George V of England, and awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics--all before the age of 40. Until his death in 1937, Marconi was at the heart of every major innovation in electronic communication, courted by powerful scientific, political, and financial interests. He established stations and transmitters in every corner of the globe, from Newfoundland to Buenos Aires, Hawaii to Saint Petersburg. Based on original research and unpublished archival materials in four countries and several languages, Raboy's book is the first to connect significant parts of Marconi's story, from his early days in Italy, to his groundbreaking experiments, to his protean role in world affairs. Raboy also explores Marconi's relationshps with his wives, mistresses, and children, and examines in unsparing detail the last ten years of the inventor's life, when he returned to Italy and became a pillar of Benito Mussolini's fascist regime. Raboy's engrossing biography, which will stand as the authoritative work of its subject, proves that we still live in the world Marconi created.

Describes the life and work of the Italian inventor Marconi, who was a pioneer in the development of the radio.

Describes the life and work of the Italian inventor, who was a pioneer in the development of the radio.

Discover the captivating life and groundbreaking achievements of Guglielmo Marconi with Nandini Saraf's illuminating biography, "Guglielmo Marconi." Delve into the fascinating world of wireless communication and innovation as Saraf traces Marconi's journey from visionary inventor to pioneering telecommunications engineer. Follow Marconi's relentless pursuit of his revolutionary vision, from his early experiments with radio waves to the establishment of the first wireless telegraphy systems. Through Saraf's vivid storytelling, readers will gain insight into the challenges and triumphs that shaped Marconi's career, from his groundbreaking transatlantic transmission to his enduring legacy as the father of modern telecommunications. As you immerse yourself in Marconi's story, you'll be inspired by his tenacity, creativity, and visionary spirit. Saraf's detailed research and engaging narrative style bring to life the passion and determination of one of history's greatest inventors, offering readers a glimpse into the mind of a true pioneer. One of the most compelling aspects of the biography is its exploration of the social and technological context in which Marconi lived and worked. Saraf sheds light on the broader implications of Marconi's inventions, from their impact on global communication networks to their role in shaping the modern world. With its blend of biography, history, and science, "Guglielmo Marconi" is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of technology and society. Saraf's thoughtful analysis and engaging prose make this book an essential addition to the library of anyone seeking to understand the profound influence of Marconi's innovations on the modern world. Don't miss your chance to uncover the remarkable life and legacy of Guglielmo Marconi. Let Nandini Saraf's insightful biography be your guide to understanding the man behind the invention and the enduring impact of his pioneering work. Grab your copy now and embark on a journey through the life of one of history's most visionary inventors.

Discusses the inventor's life, his early influences, his applications of theories in physics to discover radio, and his contributions to the science of communication

A new look at the early history of wireless communication. By 1897 Guglielmo Marconi had transformed James Clerk Maxwell's theory of electromagnetic waves into a workable wireless telegraphy system, and by 1907 Lee de Forest had invented the Audion, a feedback amplifier and oscillator that opened the way to practical radio transmission. Fifteen years after Marconi's invention, wireless had become an essential means of communication, as well as a hobby for many. This book offers a new perspective on the early days of wireless communication. Drawing on previously untapped archival evidence and recent work in the history and sociology of science and technology, it examines the substance and context of both experimental and theoretical aspects of engineering and scientific practices in the first years of this technology. It offers new insights into the relationship between Marconi and his scientific advisor, the physicist John Ambrose Fleming (inventor of the vacuum tube). It includes the full story of the infamous 1903 incident in which Marconi's opponent Nevil Maskelyne interfered with Fleming's public demonstration of Marconi's syntonic (tuning) system at the Royal Institution by sending derogatory messages from his own transmitter. The analysis of the Maskelyne affair highlights the struggle between Marconi and his opponents, the efficacy of early syntonic devices, Fleming's role as a public witness to Marconi's private experiments, and the nature of Marconi's "shows." It also provides a rare case study of how the credibility of an engineer can be created, consumed, and suddenly destroyed. The book concludes with a discussion of de Forest's Audion and the shift from wireless telegraphy to radio.