SCIENCE IN THE INDUSTRIAL WORLD 



pole on a high hill for marine signaling. He has found 

 also that certain geological formations are more re- 

 sponsive than others, although this phenomenon can- 

 not be explained, as the action of the earth in connection 

 with a wireless system is not as yet understood. 



The present state of wireless telegraphy may be 

 summed up in the statement that it is entirely practical 

 commercially, even between points separated by an 

 ocean. Continents, lightships, war vessels on long cruises, 

 and islands situated in tempestuous waters, have all 

 been brought into continuous communication with 

 shore points, and at a much less expenditure of money 

 than is possible with submarine cables. 



The history of the wireless telegraphy up to the 

 present day is comparable with the history of submarine 

 cables between 1858 and 1866. The cable of '58 carried 

 a few messages and then ceased to work. Other shorter 

 cables were laid, studied and improved upon, and 

 by 1866 the first really successful transatlantic cable was 

 laid and operated. Similarly in 1902 wireless messages 

 were sent across the Atlantic messages of sufficient 

 length to prove the possibility of accomplishing such a 

 thing and finally regular communication on a paying 

 commercial basis for transatlantic messages has been 

 established. No one now seriously doubts that the 

 millions of dollars' worth of submarine cables now at 

 the bottom of the ocean is doomed to go the way of the 

 stage-coach and pony express. They have served their 

 purpose and, fortunately, have "paid their way" well; 

 but that they are obsolescent few thinking people will 

 pretend to doubt. 



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