TOOLS OF SCIENCE

A series of meetings hosted by The Physics Museum,
The University of Queensland

For students, scientists, engineers, historians of science and technology, teachers,
collectors, and all those fascinated by old scientific instruments

June 24
Peter Hadgraft &
Rex Newsome
Early radio broadcasting technology
The intention of the lecturers is to demonstrate the interplay between technology as a tool of science and the technological application that have arisen from such use, it this case, from attempts to measure electromagnetic wave phenomena to radio broadcasting. It will range from Hertz’s use of simple devices to measure the characteristics of electromagnetic waves, through the use of vacuum tube devices to examine electron flow phenomena, the development of radio valves, to early radio broadcasting. We hope to build a working triode valve on the bench in front of the audience and the trials and tribulations of valve manufacture thus demonstrated.

Peter Hadgraft
Peter is an electronics engineer, who has retired after 33 years in the State service as a computer systems officer. He is a Brisbane museum volunteer, UQ Alumni bookfair logistics officer and president of the South-east Queensland Group of the Historical Radio Society of Australia. In his spare time he stacks domestic radios into empty spaces under his house and in his mother-in-law's garage.

Rex Newsome
After teaching psychology at the U of Q for some thirty years Rex Newsome retired a few years to his radio workshop to indulge in his passion, the collection and restoration of antique radios. As he has an interest in the history of technology he has agreed to a joint discussion of how early wireless came into being and developed as a medium for communication. Rex is the author of
Early Radios in Australia: How to Collect, Understand and Restore Them. (Thomas Rowland, 2002)