MICRO-WAVES SECRET

Evening Star, Issue 22574, 16 February 1937, Page 16

MICRO-WAVES SECRET

YIARCONI'S great discovery On board the yacht Elettra, lying in the blue waters of the Mediterranean, L witnessed whnt 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 ordinary looking transmitting microphone, and spoke. Almost before “No ” was out of his mouth a loud speaker in tho laboratory flashed back; ‘ NO . .-. NO . . . NO . . . NO . . . NO . . . NO . . - :NO.” I looked at Marconi in perplexity. Jlv eyebrows asked my unspoken quest ion. He smiled at my amazement. ‘“Von want to know why the loudspeaker says ‘No ’ seven times. The sound I made travelled almost as quickly as light, and went seven times round tho 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 1 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 the whole world together. I want people to commmunicato 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 bo 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 homo. Marconi has accomplished this miracle by utilising tho micro-wave. Sound is transmitted on a wave-length of one metre—a route through the other'at present completely unused. Thus ends six long years of tireless research. Night after night when his family has retired to rest Marconi has remained awake in his laboratory working on bis experiments. Two years ago lie told the world that ho w 7 as on the brink of a new discovery of supreme importance. A year later he said be was nearer his goal. To-day 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 wox - k during the greater period of the experiment. No one has been allowed to come on the yacht and interfere during his hard work. f< It has 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 wh«e I stay with our little girl, Elettra, in an hotel on shore. “ Still, it has all been worth while.