Wireless Technologies Throughout History Part 1

Wireless starts with the radio waves. In 1887 Heinrich Hertz was the first to detect radio waves. He created his first radio waves using a device known as 'Spark Gap Transmitter'. Hertz was asked about how he feels about the impact of his findings. He replied simply that it has no importance.

Then in 1897, Marconi demonstrates the improvements in transmitting series of electrical impulses that can generate pattern of radio waves. So that gave the right of radio to Marconi and for that he was awarded by British Patent.

Then in 1898, Tesla demonstrates a remote control boat. Due to lack of knowledge in radio technology, people thought Tesla was controlling the boat with his mind.

Then in 1906, Reginald Fessenden broadcasts his voice over AM across Atlantic.

Then in 1913, Harold D. Arnald creates his first amplifying vacuum tube.

Then in 1921, short-wave radio was developed. Due to this HF radio transmission were possible. Very long distance communications are possible through HF.

Then in 1931, FM was developed by Edwin H. Armstrong. FM was the key in transmission digital information in Radio Frequency.

Then in 1972, Ethernet was created. IEEE supervised its creation.

Then in 1982, GSM group was formed. GSM decided on digital transmission over radio. Today over 2 Billions users are on GSM alone.

Then in 1990, L-Band radio was demonstrated. Global Positioning System (GPS) works on L-Band.

Then in 1991, precurser to Wi-Fi was developed by NCR Corporation in Netherlands.

Then in 1997, 802.11 standard was created.

Then in 1998, Ericsson, IBM, Intel, Toshiba, and Nokia developed a Bluetooth Special Interest Group.

Then in 1999, Bluetooth 1.0 specification was released.

Then in 2000, first consumer Bluetooth product was released by Ericsson.

Then in 2001, 802.16 WImax Standard was created.

Then in 2004, Wimax goes in Non-Line-Of-Sight communications and booming since then.

Then in 2005, Team iFiber Redwire links two points 125 miles apart using 802.11b without using amplifiers in between. The data was transmitted over Las Vegas, Nevada.

In this short part 1, we haven't covered some of the hot topics like wireless energy transfer, LTE, etc. In part 2 of this series we will be covering in depth the other technologies chronologically.

I hope you would have found this article informative.

Else enjoy the following video.

Thanks and Cheers