Masters of Space - Morse, Thompson, Bell, Marconi, Carty

Masters of Space - Morse, Thompson, Bell, Marconi, Carty

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Masters of Space - Morse, Thompson, Bell, Marconi, Carty by Walter Kellogg Towers

Published:

1917

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Masters of Space - Morse, Thompson, Bell, Marconi, Carty

By

3
(1 Review)

Book Excerpt

distinct advance over the primitive methods by which the commander of one Roman galley communicated with another came with the introduction of cannon as a naval arm. The use of signal-guns was soon thought of, and war-ships used their guns for signal purposes as early as the sixteenth century. Not long after came the square-rigged ship, and it soon occurred to some one that signals could be made by dropping a sail from the yard-arm a certain number of times.

Up to the middle of the seventeenth century the possibilities of the naval signal systems were limited indeed. Only a few prearranged orders and messages could be conveyed. Unlimited communication at a distance was still impossible, and there were no means of sending a message to meet an unforeseen emergency. So cumbersome were the signal systems in use that even though they would convey the intelligence desired, the speaking-trumpet or a courier was employed wherever possible.

To the officers of the British navy of the seventeenth century belongs

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I never thought of Morse, Bell or Marconi as being astronomers. And I was right. At a time when the average person never traveled much more then 5 miles away from home, being the master of space did not require going to the moon. If this book were written today it might be called “Masters of the Communication Revolution”.

It was interesting to examine this communication revolution with the wonderment of a 1917 perspective. I can imagine sitting in today’s classroom hearing, “The telegraph was invented and then along came cell phones.” Hardly sounds like the world changing events these men caused. World changing they were and they all paid a price.

Most remarkable are the predictions made in the final chapter. It seems we are the future.

Skim if you must but where ever you stop to read there will be something of interest.
Glen Dawson - A Satirical Wake-up Call
FEATURED AUTHOR - After graduating from Duke University, Glen Dawson owned and operated a flexible packaging manufacturing plant for 23 years. Then, he sold the factory and went back to school to get his Master's degree in biostatistics from Boston University. When he moved to North Carolina, he opened an after-school learning academy for advanced math students in grades 2 through 12. After growing the academy from 30 to 430 students, he sold it to Art of Problem Solving. Since retiring from Art of Problem… Read more