School of Philosophy, Religion, and History of Science FACULTY OF ARTS The Role of Radio Amateurs in World War One Dr Elizabeth Bruton, Postdoctoral Researcher, “Innovating in Combat: Telecommunications and intellectual property in the First World War”, University of Leeds. RSGB Centenary Convention, Horwood House, 12 October 2013

Innovating in Combat Elizabeth Bruton, Postdoctoral Researcher, “Innovating in Combat: Telecommunications and intellectual property in the First World War” Aim of the project is to help museums, archives, and the wider public to better appreciate the significance of communications technologies during World War One University of Leeds and Museum of the History of Science, Oxford Graeme Gooday and Elizabeth Bruton Funded by AHRC School of Philosophy, Religion, and History of Science FACULTY OF ARTS

Outline Introduction Amateur Wireless before World War One Wireless Society of London What could wireless amateurs do in wartime? Henry Norman, MP Russell Clarke and Colonel Richard Hippisley Leslie McMichael Postwar developments – broadcast radio Conclusion School of Philosophy, Religion, and History of Science FACULTY OF ARTS Illustration from Amateur Number One by Irving Vermilya published in QST, February 1917, pp.8-12.

Introduction Early August 1914: World War One Wireless telegraph: valuable and dangerous tool Amateur wireless sets sealed up End of story? No! Signals Intelligence and wartime work Special Call for RSGB Centenary, 2013 School of Philosophy, Religion, and History of Science FACULTY OF ARTS

Amateur Wireless before World War One Wireless Society of London 6 June 1913: Rene Klein writes to English Mechanic 5 July 1913: Establishment of London Wireless Club Summer 1913: GPO introduces one guinea charge for all wireless licenses 13 September 1913: First AGM of London Wireless Club; changes name to Wireless Society of London – national not local 1922: RSGB Rene Klein KXJ, 2HT, G8NK, in later life. Image courtesy of RSGB School of Philosophy, Religion, and History of Science FACULTY OF ARTS

Early Members of Wireless Society of London Includes Henry Hope-James A.A. Campbell-Swinton J. Ambrose Fleming William Duddell W.H. Eccles Henry Jackson Oliver Lodge Sylvanus Thompson School of Philosophy, Religion, and History of Science FACULTY OF ARTS Portrait of Alan A C Swinton, Image available in the public domain via Wikimedia Commons

Wireless Publications School of Philosophy, Religion, and History of Science FACULTY OF ARTS Left: First cover of The Marconigraph (1911); Right: The four-color cover of May 1913 Wireless World. Both images are available in the public domain.

What could wireless amateurs do during wartime? “Listen in” Russell Clark and Richard Hippisley Henry Norman MP Wartime Service Leslie McMichael School of Philosophy, Religion, and History of Science FACULTY OF ARTS Richard John Bayntun Hippisley ( ) Image from Mate's County Series (1908) and available in the public domain.

Hunstanton Wireless Station, Norfolk School of Philosophy, Religion, and History of Science FACULTY OF ARTS A postcard of the Lighthouse and Marconi Wireless Station at Hunstanton, early 20 th C. Wireless station is to the left of the mast. Image available in the public domain.

Hunstanton Wireless Station, Norfolk School of Philosophy, Religion, and History of Science FACULTY OF ARTS The former Marconi wireless station and naval intercept station at Hunstanton as it is today. Image courtesy of RightMove.co.uk.

Wartime wireless interception and signals intelligence School of Philosophy, Religion, and History of Science FACULTY OF ARTS A Wireless Direction-Finding Station on the East Coast of England during World War One. Image available in the public domain.

Henry Norman, MP Born in Leicester and educated abroad MP for 23 years Knighted in 1906 Pioneer in radio telegraphy 1914: First President of Derby Wireless Club, founded in 1911 “Listening in” begins before outbreak of war School of Philosophy, Religion, and History of Science FACULTY OF ARTS Portrait of Sir Henry Norman, 1st Baronet, taken from The World's Work (1914). Image available in the public domain via Wikimedia Commons.

Leslie McMichael Served in Wireless Instructional Section of RFC and RAF 1919: Demobbed and begins business in Hampstead, supply ex- military stock including radio valves June 1920: Establishes L. McMichael Ltd Directors are Leslie McMichael and Rene Klein Becomes highly respected maker of radio sets School of Philosophy, Religion, and History of Science FACULTY OF ARTS

Conclusions Revival of wireless amateurs post-war Wartime expertise crosses over into peacetime Wireless amateur have key role in development of broadcast radio 1922: Different radio clubs and societies including Wireless Society of London merge to become RSGB School of Philosophy, Religion, and History of Science FACULTY OF ARTS

Thank you! e: w: School of Philosophy, Religion, and History of Science FACULTY OF ARTS