NBC chimes (Jan 1953-Dec 1954)

ceived with more curiosity than scientific interest. Encouraged by offers of assistance from the British, Marconi sailed for England. In London, an interested audience foresaw the potentialities of his amazing invention. A corporation was formed, research undertaken. The first experiments were with radio waves transmitted from ships at sea. Then, on historic December 12, 1901, Marconi successfully transmitted the letter "S" from England to North America. Point-to-point transoceanic communication had been achieved without wires or cables. The end of World War I found radio firmly established as a medium of communication and the United States Navy with the most powerful international radiotelegraph system in the world. Foreign interests, however, controlled the Marconi companies and patents. Therefore, on October 17, 1919, at the suggestion of officials of the United States Navy, the Radio Corporation of America was formed to acquire for American interests the foreign-controlled Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company of North America, and to continue America's war-born leadership in international wireless communication. On March 1, 1920, the first commercial overseas radiotelegraph message was sent from New York to London via the facilities of the newly-formeci Radio Corporation of America. Befon the year's end, France, Norway, Ha waii, Japan and Germany also were linked to the United States by add tional circuits. These circuits were the forerunners of many others, all o which today comprise a truly world wide radiotelegraph network. Since its formation, the Radio Corporation o America had been engaged in com municating with ships at sea as well as with overseas countries. On December 21, 1927, the Radiomarine Corporation of America was formed as a service of RCA. It is devoted to marine radio communications and the production and installation of marine radiotelegraph, radiotelephone, and other electronic equipment. During the 1920's, public acceptance of radiotelegraphy grew, international radiogram traffic increased and further expansion of RCA's fast-growing organization became necessary. Thus, on January 3, 1929, RCA Communications, Inc., was formed as a service of RCA to engage in international radiotelegraph communications. Meanwhile, electronic improvements and developments — high-frequency alternators, high-power transmitting tubes, and the harnessing of short waves — permitted an expansion of The 200-kilowatt Alexanderson alternator revolutionized radio during first World War. Today, short-wave transmitters have replaced long-wave alternators. Automatic transmitting and receiving equipment is combined in one compact unit. Bottom section of unit contains sending equipment; center section, receiving equipment; top section, monitoring equipment. world-wide radiotelegraph communications, not only in volume but also in new uses. Radiophoto transmission of pictures brought photographs from overseas to the front pages of our newspapers. The transmission of music brought British concerts to our ears. Brokerage offices on ocean liners supplied with ticker quotations radiotelegraphed by Radiomarine and RCA Communications, kept the businessman in touch with the world of finance. On December 7, 1941, when World War II came to the United States, the facilities, knowledge and experience of RCA Communications were immediately converted to the war effort. As one of the first steps toward improving communications with the war-torn South Pacific, RCA Communications, on December 25, 1941, opened the first direct radiotelegraph circuit between the United States and Australia. This circuit was soon supplemented with a direct radiophoto circuit. Other radiotelegraph circuits were established between the United States and French West Africa, Iran, New Caledonia, and other vital areas, bringing the total number of circuits to more than 50. RCA research and engineering brought forth new and important electronic developments — ■ a multitude of (Continued on page 23) NBC Chimes 9