The lives and personalities of the pathfinders in radio and
electronics are always an absorving narrative. However consiering
the subtle minds of early pioneers as a matter of interest,
a brief note is dedicated to some scientists and engineers
whos invnetions contributed decisively to the improvements,
and circuits.
- Lee DeForest:
The "wireless father", invented the Audion, the
fundamentals basis of thermionics that culminated in radio and
modern wireless.
- John Stone Stone:
Was an American physicist interested in wireless, a pioneer
of wireless tunrers. In 1912, he helped demonstrate the grid
Audion operating as an amplification device to engineers of
the American Telephone and Telegraph Company.
- Irving Langmuir:
Was the "man of materials", a scientist
highly specialized in materials research. In 1915, working at
Genereal Electric laboratories, he developed thoriated filament
for lamps and valves, and a process for atomic-hydrogen welding.
- Hendrik Johannes Van Der Bilj:
The "wizard of thermionics", renowned physicist, completed
his early education in South Africa. His researches in electron
emission led him to develop the characteristics of valves on
a fundamental mathematical basis. |