Guglielmo Marconi Page 3

Marconi continued to work on his wireless system and was soon able to send wireless signals across the Bristol Channel, a distance of 8 miles.  This was the first time wireless signals had been sent over water.

Marconi was now worried that others might take advantage of his invention.  To protect his wireless system from competitors he set up a business.  On July 20, 1897, with the help of his cousin, he set up the Wireless Telegraph and Signal Company Limited.  The company was later renamed "The Marconi Company", and shares were sold to the public.

Now, even the Italian government was beginning to become impressed with Marconi's work.  They sent the Minister of the Italian Navy to invite him to return to Italy to show his equipment.  Guglielmo returned to Italy in triumph.  He met with the King and Queen of Italy who congratulated him on his work.  Marconi's father was very proud of his son.

Marconi now wanted to send signals across the Atlantic Ocean.  Some scientists thought he was crazy.  But, just like before, he persevered and kept on trying.  Finally on December 12, 1901, Marconi heard the faint "dot dot dot" through his headphones.  His assistants too, could hear the faint transmission.  For the first time, at last, wireless signals had been sent across the Atlantic.

           His invention changed our lives dramatically.  Before Marconi's success in wireless signals, long distance communication was impossible except for personal visits or letters.  His discovery by using a radio wave to transmit messages led to many new developments in communications. Without it, radar, radio, and television broadcasts would not have been possible.  His wireless telegraph was even used to help in the capture of the infamous murderer, Dr. Crippen, trying to escape across the Atlantic Ocean on a passenger liner.  It was also responsible for saving many lives when the Titanic struck an iceberg in 1912 and sunk. Sadly, on July 20, 1937, at his home in Rome, Guglielmo Marconi died of a heart attack at the age of 63.  At his death, wireless signals were buzzing around the whole world.  To pay respect for the man who invented the wireless system, operators of wireless communications stopped transmissions for two whole minutes. 

          If  Guglielmo Marconi were still alive today, he would have invented a lot of great things.  Maybe he would have created a robot that would do housework and cooking so, that one could just sit back and relax!  Perhaps, even an addition to one of his inventions would be like a voice controlled "radio ring."  It would be a ring that you wear on your finger and tell it what station you would like. Then, listen away!