Frequency modulation or FM radio transformed how we communicate. It was, as Armstrong’s nemesis David Sarnoff said, “a revolution”. There are videos, books, and articles about this history but they seem to skim over the science. In fact, I haven’t seen any videos or articles that simply and accurately describe how Armstrong’s original system actually …
Before the invention of the transistor the most important electronic equipment was the vacuum triode. All radios were driven by them, televisions used them, heck, even early computers had rooms full of these jacked up light bulbs. But how do they work, and how (and why) were they invented? This is the story of a …
Triode Vacuum Tube: How it Was Invented & How it Works Read More »
In 1899, a temperamental Canadian scientist had a vision that speech and music could be sent by wireless. It took him seven years but in November of 1906, Reginald Fessenden sent wireless music and speech for over 10 miles where, “the sound was perfect”. Ready for the story of how modern radio began? Let’s go! …
Reginald Fessenden & the Physics of the First Radio Broadcast Read More »
What have you heard about Tesla? That he invented Alternating Current (AC)? That he and Edison fought the “War of the Currents” over AC vs. DC? That Edison hounded him? That he wanted to give everyone free electricity? That he was a Physics genius? That’s what I heard on YouTube and on websites and even …
Tesla Fact vs. Fiction: Why the Public Perception is Wrong Read More »
How did Michael Faraday make electricity with magnets? Hey, how does anyone make electricity with magnets? And what does that have to do with the creation of the idea of magnetic fields? Watch this short video and find out. Ready? Let’s go. In 1826, an English scientist named Michael Faraday had read that another Englishman …
How the Idea of Electromagnetic Waves Was Invented Read More »
Alexander (Alec) Graham Bell invented and promoted the telephone due to the love of, and influence of, a deaf woman named Mabel Hubbard. Wait, why would a deaf woman influence the invention of the telephone, an object she could never use? Well, I’ll tell you this surprising love story and along the way I will …
Why Alexander Graham Bell Invented the Telephone Read More »
How did Michael Faraday make electricity with magnets? Hey, how does anyone make electricity with magnets? And what does that have to do with the creation of the idea of magnetic fields? Watch this short video and find out. Ready? Let’s go. In 1826, an English scientist named Michael Faraday had read that another Englishman …
How did Michael Faraday make electricity with magnets? Hey, how does anyone make electricity with magnets? And what does that have to do with the creation of the idea of magnetic fields? Watch this short video and find out. Table of Contents Faraday’s Experiment: The Start Faraday with Electro-Magnetism Making of Electric Generator Faraday’s Experiment: …
How Michael Faraday Discovered Induction, The Generator, and Magnetic Fields Read More »
Wait? How did a jar of water shock anyone? And why? Well, I’ll tell you and along the way I will talk about: shocking people for the kings pleasure, breaking the rules and masochistic adrenalin junkies with some really difficult names to pronounce. Ready, lets go. This story began on October 11, 1745. On that …
How a Jar of Water Literally Shocked Thousands: How a Leyden Jar Works Read More »
To understand the electromagnet, it is helpful to take a moment to learn about its inventor, William Sturgeon. Sturgeon’s life was dramatic and inspirational, although his hair and sideburns were, in my opinion, bizarre. So, take a few minutes and learn why a poor shoemaker and soldier would invent the electromagnet and how it works. …
How An Electromagnet Works And How Was It Invented Read More »
