|
Radio Message
(12 Jul 1906)
The first long-distance
wireless
telegraphy message across water in the Southern Hemisphere (sent over
Bass Strait from Devonport, Tasmania to Queenscliff, Victoria,
Australia, to demonstrate Marconi's equipment) was a Morse
code message from Governor Gerald Strickland of Tasmania to
Governor General Northcote of Victoria.
|
“I
tender thanks to your excellency for the first message transmitted to
this State by wireless telegraphy, and beg leave to offer
congratulations to the Government of the Commonwealth on having
encouraged an experiment, which may accelerate the date on which this
State’s contribution towards cable subsidies can be diminished. I
venture to submit the exceptionally inviting opportunity for further
practical tests of wireless telegraphy in everyday work offered by Kind
Island, where a progressive community of Tasmanians and Victorians
calls attention to its need of communication by the rapidity of its
development. Devonport sends felicitations to Queenscliff. We rejoice
that we can by this wonderful wireless telegraph tender friendly
greetings to you, our neighbour, across the straits.”
— Governor Gerald Strickland of
Tasmania
In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion.
(1987) --