Vignette 39: Australian firsts in wireless communication

Sir William Henry Bragg OM KBE FRS became the University’s Elder Professor of Mathematics and Experimental Physics in 1886. As early as 1895, Bragg was working on wireless telegraphy and in 1897 gave the first recorded public demonstration of the working of wireless telegraphy in Australia. Returning to Adelaide after 12 months study leave, Bragg collaborated with workshop technician and laboratory instrument maker Arthur Rogers to pioneer wireless communication in Australia. 

Bragg also worked closely with Sir Charles Todd, the Government Astronomer and Superintendent of Telegraphs, and his father-in-law. 

They constructed a device capable of transmitting Morse Code wirelessly. With this device, they exchanged messages between the West Terrace Observatory and Henley Beach, with fragments of these messages still accessible at the University. Their experiments resulted in Australia’s first successful foray into wireless communication. 

Bragg and Todd also founded the School of Mines and Industries in the 1890s, continuing to advance science and technology education and radio communication into the future.

The University of Adelaide: 150 Years of Making History.  Nurturing excellence. p.60