Filings, filaments and FETs: technologies for harnessing the waves

Over the last two centuries, physicists and engineers have worked individually and together to develop the theoretical understanding and practical realisation of wireless communication systems. During this century, tremendous progress has taken place in both component development and the enabling technologies. This paper presents an overview of some of the important technological achievements which have occurred and shows how the prediction of Maxwell, the proof of Hertz and the application of Marconi provided the foundation and catalyst for many of these advances, which are very much part of our life today