Hertz discovers electromagnetic waves from "summary" of Who Invented the Radio? by Susan E. Hamen
In the late 19th century, German physicist Heinrich Hertz discovered electromagnetic waves, which are now used to power modern radio communication. His groundbreaking work opened the door to the development of radio technology.- In 1887, Heinrich Hertz was the first to discover and prove the existence of electromagnetic waves. He conducted experiments that showed currents could create wave-like fields which could travel through space.
- Further study of Hertz's work eventually led to the uncovering of radio waves. To acknowledge the monumental breakthrough by Hertz, scientists use the hertz as the unit for measuring frequency of light.
- Hertz famously conducted an experiment that consisted of two rods attached to insulated brass plates set up as a simple oscillator circuit - when his coil was energized, the current generated waves in space that moved between both metal plates.
- By studying the results of this experiment, he determined that these waves also had magnetic components as well as electric elements. This proved the point that people had been trying to make for several years before him: that electricity and light were related phenomena.
- Although others acknowledged Hertz's important discoveries, it wasn't until after his death that his true achievements and impact on science were fully realized. Today, his name and contributions live on throughout technology and communication device used all over the world.
