Wireless Music.

Progress, Volume II, Issue 8, 1 June 1907, Page 284

Wireless Music.

Seeing that telephoning without wires has been accomplished, it is not very surprising to be told that an English naval officer has succeeded in transmitting music over distances without using any metallic conductor. Mr. C. W. James, writing in the Tribune, describes a visit he paid to the inventor's ship to test his invention. He placed receivers to his ears in one of the cabins, and amid the din of repairing hammers all round him, listened to " God save the King," sung in another part of the ship. Every note was distiict and the modulations of the voice were easily discernible. The tone was rasping, but the inventor was confident that it would be improved. The visitor was then bidden to listen to a signaller singing in a ship half a mile away. The first song was considerably interrupted by ordinary messages, but the listener could make out fragments of a tune which he recognised as the popular " Out on the Deep." " Pop goes the Weasel" was heard with wonderful clearness, and the "Soldiers' Chorus" from "Faust" was loud and distinct in its inflexions. Finally, the " Bay of Biscay " was sung amid perfect conditions, and was heard from beginning to end. Mr. James does not pretend that the music heard in this way is delightful, but he says he sat at an hotel and listened to an opeia through an electrophone without feeling much greater pleasure than that which wireless singing gave him. As for the practical importance of the new discovery, it is said to be proved than an in coned wireless message is heard more clearly than a spoken one, and the inventor has found a way of restricting the area of operation of any signal. It can be arranged so that sounds can be heard at certain distances and not at others, so that signals can be sent round a fleet and yet be in no danger of falling into the possession (^f ships of the enemy hovering about. If a"" commander chooses, he can deceive the enemy by sending forth two sets of musical signals, pitched in different keys, one for the enemy and one for his own ships. Important improvements in the system may also be looked for. Hardly a month elapsed between the hearing the first note of wireless music by the inventor and the successful wafting over the waters of " The Bay of Biscay," so that the invention is as yet in its infancy.