MICRO-WAVES SECRET

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 113, 6 February 1937, Page 22

MICRO-WAVES SECRET

Marconi’s Great Discovery

On board the yacht Elettra, lying iu the blue waters of the Mediterranean, I witnessed what may be the most remarkable experiment Marconi has yet made, says a “Sunday Chronicle” special correspondent. The famous discoverer of wireless sent his voice seven times round the earth in one second.

“I shall use the shortest word In order to clarify the demonstration,” Marconi said to me. “A simple little word like ‘No’ for example.” Marconi stepped towards an ordin-ary-looking transmitting microphone and spoke. Almost before the “No” was out of his mouth a loud speaker in the laboratory flashed back: “NO ... NO ... NO ... NO ... NO . . . NO . . . NO.”

I looked at Marconi in perplexity. My eyebrows asked my unspoken question. He smiled at my amazement.

“You want to know why the loud speaker says ‘No’ seven times. The sound I made travelled almost as quickly as light and went seven times round the world in one second. “Of course, this phenomenal speed has its drawbacks. It interferes with world communication so far, but when we can eliminate the “echo,” communication between continents will be very easy with cheaper, better and simpler wireless.

“Micro-waves mean the discovery of a trap-door through the ether, a belt of comparative silence, outside the range of the long and short waves. Because of this the micro-waves achieve clear reception.

“I want to bring tlie whole world together. I want people to communicate all over the world.” I realised then the importance of what Marconi had demonstrated. Soon

Marconi will be able to eliminate the “echo,” which is the only obstacle in the path of his discovery. As soon as the power of his discovery can be harnessed communication from the ends of the earth will be so quick and sure that it will be possible for a man sitting in his office in London to get Tokio, San Francisco, Brisbane, California, Berlin, Moscow in a matter of seconds, and speak to them as easily and almost as cheaply as he can to his suburban home.

Marconi has accomplished this miracle by utilising the micro-wave. Sound is transmitted on a wavelength of one metre —a route through the ether at present completely unused.

Thus ends six long years of tireless research. Night after night, when his family has.retired to rest, Marconi lias remained awake in his laboratory working on his experiments. Two years ago he told the world that he was on the brink of a new discovery of supreme importance. A year later be said he was nearer his goal. Today lie is a man on the brink of success.

His beautiful wife, the Marchesa, has watched his tireless efforts.

She has guarded him and his work during the greater period of the experiment. No one has been allowed to come on the yacht and interfere during his hard work.

“It lias been a trying period,” she said to me with' a charming smile. “For weeks I have never been out to a dinner party. “Our social life has necessarily been restricted. My husband sleeps on board in his laboratory while I stay with our little girl. Elettra, in an hotel on shore.

“Still, it has all been worth while.”