[Steely Tom]

This article was published more than one hundred years ago. The section reproduced above concerns the early productive years of Edwin Armstrong, the inventor of frequency modulation, one of the most important technical breakthroughs of all time, useful for much more than broadcasting FM stereo music (the concept of "stereo" didn't exist when Armstrong invented FM).

This article shows that well before he invented FM, Armstrong was already the source of important breakthroughs in radio technology, which at the time was as new as quantum computing is today.

I learned today that the rotating-head video tape recorder, later to become the VCR, wouldn't have been possible if not for frequency modulation, for reasons that are subtle but also vital.

I greatly admire Edwin Armstrong, although he came to a tragic end.

[linMcHlp]

bkmk

[Steely Tom]

When the author refers to the “audion,” he is using the word that Lee De Forest used to describe his invention, which later was called the “vacuum triode,” or simply “triode.”

At the time this article was written, the word “triode” had not yet been coined.

[teletech]

Radio IS The Theater of the Mind.

[bigbob]

Between the regenerative and superheterodyne receivers and FM, Armstrong’s inventions had greater impact than any other and likely will never be equaled.

[daniel1212]

This article shows that well before he invented FM, Armstrong was already the source of important breakthroughs in radio technology, which at the time was as new as quantum computing is today.

While many households today do not even have one FM radio (2020 survey find 68% of all Americans have at least one radio in their home), we have been given a few over the years, and I use an old laptop with about 20,000 evangelical sermons and songs which broadcasts to the household 24/7 - with no commercials - over a cheap USB powered (legal 0.5 watt) FM transmitter at 87.5 (empty spot, which some radios do not go to, since FM broadcast in the United States starts at 88.0 MHz and ends at 108.0 MHz. Works quite well on the same floor, and outside to about 50 feet to a portable radio. Praise God.

[Fresh Wind]

I highly recommend this incredible, encyclopedic site covering every aspect of the history of radio technology and the business that grew up around it. You could spend the rest of your life browsing those pages and never see all of it.

https://www.worldradiohistory.com/index.htm

[Southside_Chicago_Republican]

Bookmark

[BRL]

I often think of Armstrong, les paul and schockly. All brilliant. Two died in misery and one died happy. Two fought the system and one kept going to Gibson until they finally saw the light.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Interesting article. I got interested in HAM radio recently. Passed my Technician, General and Extra licenses in the last month.

I have a QRP (low power) transceiver coming (https://www.ebay.com/itm/235128617053). Have to set up my antenna and some other things. Looking forward to making my first DX connection.

[The_Media_never_lie]

Wow, cool post!

[ABN 505]

“Empire of the Air” a great book on the radio wars between brillant men and early technology.