First Radio Message

"The Father of Radio Broadcasting," Reginald Fessenden, successfully made the world's first radio broadcast in history on Christmas Eve, 1906. Radio operators on ships in the Atlantic were shocked to hear a human voice emitting from the equipment they used to receive Morse code.

Fessenden at Brant Rock

The First Radio Message at Brant Rock. (The Radioscientist)

Few people shared Fessenden's belief that broadcasting voices was possible. When he asked the opinion of the great Thomas Edison, Edison replied, "Fezzie, what do you say are man's chances of jumping over the moon? I think one is as likely as the other." Edison was wrong.

One Against the World -- the trials of Reginald Fessenden

An Unsung Hero -- the history of the first radio message

The Wireless Telephone -- the challenge of making wireless communication possible (written by Reginald Fessenden)

Birth and Biography -- the birth of radio and a biography of Reginald Fessenden

The Early History of Radio Science -- a Jack Belrose article

Fessenden and Marconi -- a Jack Belrose article

Other sites for the First Radio Message:

The Hammond Museum -- all about Reginald Fessenden

Canadian Science and Engineering Hall of Fame -- Reginald Fessenden