Wireless PossibilitiesLow, A. M. (Archibald Montgomery)
Science
Wireless Possibilities
Low, A. M. (Archibald Montgomery)
Radio
It would be quite easy to fix up an apparatus by means of which
we could show whether an office in New York was lit up or not,
the observer being situated in London. This is a form of energy or
combination of phenomena which amounts to wireless sight, but it does
not help us to see shapes or forms or to say if the light is from a
candle, the sun, or an arc lamp.
By increasing the number of cells from one to, let us say, twenty, we
could possibly indicate the difference between the moving shadow of a
cross or a circle, but to radiate detail is a very difficult problem,
which doubtless will be partially solved within the next few years. The
electro-magnetic theory of light and the phenomena exhibited by the
neon tube, present many opportunities.
What an excellent invention this will be! It means that a telescopic
camera could be attached to an aeroplane and the views seen by
thousands in a cinematograph theatre who may have the pleasure of
witnessing the finish of a horse-race and knowing without loss of time
how much money they have lost.
It would mean that the crew of a ship, a submarine in difficulties, or
the passengers in an aeroplane, might be visible to people many miles
away. It could not yet occur without their wish, for the transmitting
apparatus must first be put into operation.
The senses of seeing and hearing are possibly amongst the most
important of all, and, if we can convey both of them to a distance, it
means that we can call friends, nations, music, and personalities to
our fireside, by the touching of a button.
Such possibilities need no enlargement. Wireless may prove a far more
rapid link than the ordinary increase of travelling speed and may help
nations to intermingle to the common good.
The question of seeing in colours has hardly yet been considered, but
that also will come to us, however great the difficulties may appear
to-day.
Certainly Leagues of Peace will have more arguments, and Generals will
have more weapons.
The laziest millionaire to-day, in a physical sense, will be
hard-worked in comparison with the fortunate individual of the
scientific future. We will travel in the best possible manner and in
such comfort that the mind will be free to receive impressions. Our
main objective will be to train it for that purpose.
After all, what more can we do now?
WIRELESS AND WAR
The subjects of War and Wireless cover a multitude of closely allied
ills.
It is only natural that wireless should first have been applied to Love
and War. I remember well one of the most remarkable applications of
wireless mentioned in the press in the early days was that of a cable
sent to an unfortunate man in mid-ocean, informing him that an all too
successful arrival of twins had taken place.
War is, of course, a natural process a little less educated, and more
unkind, in consequence, than birth control.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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