Marconi 161 



is one of these. ... As yet we have not the slightest proof as 

 to the origin of these interruptions. They might conceivably 

 be due to some natural disturbance at a great distance, such as 

 eruptions on the sun. 



Asked whether they might not possibly be caused by 

 attempts on the part of some other planet to communicate 

 with the earth, Marconi said: " I do not rule out that 

 possibility." 



Before we end this chapter we must say a word about 

 Marconi the man. He stands about five feet ten inches, 

 is slim and well built, and very erect. His head is large 

 and well shaped, with a high forehead. His manner is 

 quiet and deliberate, he has none of the emotional fervour 

 of the Italian, and the only evidence of his Irish blood is 

 the genial smile which now and then brightens his face. 

 He is intensely energetic and has an amazing power of 

 concentration. He is popular with his assistants because 

 of his fair-mindedness, but he is not what Americans call 

 a ' good mixer.' He is very fond of music. The keenest 

 of his senses is that of hearing. Trained by long years of 

 listening to small vibrations in a telephone receiver, his 

 ears are far more acute than those of most of his fellow- 

 men. He has great patience, and believes that there is 

 hardly any problem which cannot be solved by hard work. 

 He is keenly interested in all aspects of human invention, 

 and declares that the real Golden Age of discovery is only 

 now beginning to dawn upon the world. 



