The Early Radio Pioneers


The book "The World at their Fingertips" by John Clarricoats (G6CL) gives a partial list of the sixty eight people to whom an Experimental Licence had been granted between the passing of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1904, and when the Postmaster General (who was Sydeny Buxton, M.P. at the time) was ordered by the House of Commons to render a Return "of applications for Licences" under the act.

Some M.Ps suspected that there might be a reluctance to encourage the development of wireless communications, as the Post Office had a monopoly on all communications at the time, and the Post Office was run by the government.

The partial list shown in "The World at their Fingertips" is given below.

Name of Applicant Proposed postion of Installation Radius of Action Remarks
Burbury, H. H. T. Crigglestone (Wakefield) and Barnsley 10 to 15 Miles Licence granted
Child, H. W. R Penywern Road S. W abut 10 miles Licence granted
Clarke, E. R. 35 leinster Gardens W. 20 miles Licence in preperation
Clarke, G.W. Waterloo, Liverpool 5 miles Under consideration
Clutterbuck, B. V. Liskeard About 1 mile Licence granted
Cox, H. W., Ltd, Rosebury Avenue, E. C 50 miles Licence granted
Cox, W. J. Netherton, Ware Not specified Application abandoned
De Forest Wireless Telegraph Syndicate Oxford and Cambridge 100 miles Licence granted.
Demuth, C. H. St. Briavels, Glos Not specified Under consideration
Drake, W. J. Westerham (Kent) and Tutsfield (Surry) Not specified Application abandoned
Draper, V. W. Almond, Huddersfield 5 miles Licence granted
Ellis, H. T. Scalby, Yorks 40 miles Licence granted
Evans, Capt. Gray's Inn Road, W.C. about 10 miles Licence granted
Fleming, J. A., Dr. University College, W.C., and Hampstead 5 miles Licence granted
Foot, C. M. Bow, E. Not specified Application abandoned
Gillet, J. A. Banbury
Gladwell, T.

The list in the book is incomplete, and the full details for the last two listed are not shown.  I hope to get a copy of the full return from the Library of the House of Commons, and will add the rest of the applications as and when I get a copy.

If you know anything about any of the names listed, appart from the famous ones, like De Forest and Fleming, I would be very please to hear from you.  Especially where there is docuentary evidence for the exploits of the people mentioned.  I'm sorry to have to insist on this before adding any information, but I have been sent down blind alleys by verbal and hearsay evidence based upon the fact that the name of a person is similar to that of someone else, or some company.

Go to H. H. T. Burbury
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