Wireless Networking - History of Wireless (original) (raw)

History of Wireless

Wireless services represent a progression of technology, and perhaps a new era of telecommunications, but these services have been used for over a century and remain synonymous with "radio". The humble beginning of wireless services takes us back to the 19th century at time when Guglielmo Marconi, "the father of radio" made his mark in the world of wireless technology.

When Marconi started experimenting with radio waves (Hertzian Waves) in 1894 his objective was to produce and detect radio waves over long distances. In 1896, Marconi was successful and obtained a patent and established the Wireless Telegraph and Signal Company Limited, the first radio factory in the world. In 1901, signals were received across the Atlantic and in 1905 the first wireless distress signal was sent using Morse Code.

Wireless technology eventually progressed as an invaluable tool used by the U.S. Military. The Military configured wireless signals to transmit data over a medium that had complex encryption, which makes unauthorized access to network traffic almost impossible. This type of technology was first introduced during World War II when the Army began sending battle plans over enemy lines and when Navy ships instructed their fleets from shore to shore.

Wireless proved so valuable as a secure communications medium many businesses and schools thought it could expand their computing arena by expanding their wired local area networks (LAN) using wireless LANs. The first wireless LAN came together in 1971 when networking technologies met radio communications at the University of Hawaii as a research project called ALOHNET. The bi-directional star topology of the system included seven computers deployed over four islands to communicate with the central computer on the Oahu Island without using phone lines. And so, wireless technology, as we know it, began its journey into every house, classroom, and business around the world.

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