A short quiz in two parts for you:
- When was the first wireless telephone invented?
- Who invented it?
The answers are surprising and not at all what you might have expected. If you’re like me, something involving radio is probably popping into your mind. But that’s entirely wrong. The first wireless phone used light—actually reflected sunlight—to carry the signal. You’ve probably heard of the technology. Back before computers, young nerds used to experiment with light-based phones (you could even buy kits). They were not, of course, terribly useful because of their limited range and line of site requirement, but they did see use in World Wars I and II as a secure alternative to radios for short range communications. And, of course, the idea forms the basis of today’s ubiquitous fiber optics cable.
When was it invented? That’s one if the surprises. It was in 1880 a decade and a half before radio communication was first demonstrated. That should give you a hint as to the inventor. It was Alexander Graham Bell, the (widely accepted) inventor of the conventional telephone. It’s design is described in the linked post. Bell named his invention the photophone and was more proud of it than the enduring invention for which he is famous.
A final amusing anecdote was that Bell wanted to name his daughter Photophone but fortunately for the girl, her mother prevailed and she was named Marian.