108 



Commendatore G. 31arconi 



[March 13, 



In March, 1899, communication was estabUshed by means of my 

 system of wireless telegraphy across the Channel between Eugland 

 and France (see Fig. 1), and the Times of March 29 of that year 

 pubHshed the first press telegram ever transmitted to England from 

 abroad by means of electric wave telegraphy. 



At that time a considerable discussion took place in the Press as 

 to whether or not wireless telegraphy would be practicable for much 

 longer distances than those then covered, and a general opinion pre- 

 vailed that the curvature of the earth would be an insurmountable 

 obstacle to long-distance transmissions, in the same way as it was, and 



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SOUTH FORELAND «oWIMEREUX 

 1899 



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is, an obstacle to signalling over considerable distances by means of 

 optical signals such as flashlights, the heliograph, or the semaphore. 



Othei" difficulties were anticipated as to the possibility of being 

 able practically to employ and control a transmitter capable of radiat- 

 ing an amount of electrical energy large enough to actuate a receiver 

 at really great distances, and, granting the possibility of this, whether 

 such a powerful radiator would not interfere with the working of all 

 other wireless stations Avhich might be estabHshed on shore or ships 

 within the sphere of influence of the long-distance sender. 



AVhat so often occurs in most pioneer work has repeated itself in 

 the case of long-distance wireless telegraphy — the anticipated obstacles 

 and difficulties were either imaginary or else easily surmountable ; but 



