Abstract :
Al Gross, pioneer in the field of wireless communications and inventor of the WWII walkie-talkie, passed away in Sun City, Arizona, USA December 21, 2000. Gross played a major role in establishing personal portable communications. His efforts led to invention of the first walkie-talkie prior to WWII, in 1938. In 1948, he successfully lobbied the FCC to establish a segment of the radio frequency spectrum for two-way radio communications that later became the Citizens Band (CB). In 1949 he invented the telephone pager and devices that led to cordless and cellular telephone technology. Many of Al´s patents expired before these wireless technologies gained widespread popularity. A brief review of the life and works of Al Gross are presented.
