Purpose of the Event
- Honoring the past, Professor Jerome Green led the first long-distance wireless transmission in North America on the Notre Dame campus on April 19, 1899.
- Reflecting on the societal aspects of numerous wireless technologies and applications since, both in the United States and around the world.
- Looking ahead to the future, with perspectives from thought leaders in industry, government, and academia to keep the United States at the forefront through initiatives like the NSF Spectrum Innovation Center as well as Midwest Microelectronics and Wireless Innovation Hubs.
- The Notre Dame campus and South Bend community in Northwest Indiana are abuzz with excitement as we prepare to welcome the high-tech wireless and radio spectrum policy communities for this grand event.
Learn More about Professor Jerome Green
Starting a Legacy
In March 1899, Guglielmo Marconi achieved a significant milestone by accomplishing the longest wireless transmission: 32 miles across the English Channel. During the same time frame, Professor Jerome J. Green, the head of the Electrical Department at Notre Dame, noted this achievement and started experimenting with wireless transmission in his electrical engineering laboratory in Science Hall with the support of his students. They successfully sent signals to other adjoining rooms in the same building.
Their success led to an even more ambitious trial – sending a message from Notre Dame to Saint Mary’s College, over a mile from the university, using the Basilica of the Sacred Heart for the transmission wire.
The Holy Cross Courier Reports
The Holy Cross Courier of November 1937 reports that “On April 19, 1899, Professor Jerome J. Green of Notre Dame University made a test of the Marconi system of wireless telegraphy between Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s College. The instruments employed in these tests were made by himself and his students except the induction coil, which belongs to Saint Mary’s College Science Hall.”
“From the convent archives (copy supplied by Sister Antonine), I quote, On April 19, 1899, Professor Jerome J. Green of Notre Dame University made a test of the Marconi system of wireless telegraphy between Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s College.
The instruments employed in these tests were made by himself and his students except the induction coil which belongs to Saint Mary’s College science hall …
Sister Antonine recalls “the vivid picture of that spring morning when the fragrant air was vibrant with something more than nature’s awakening, as we walked about the east porch of the convent, awaiting the call from the telephone room. Sister Bertha (God rest her!) standing in her office close to St. Mary’s one and only telephone, was as excited as I was at the recording machine. Professor Green had arranged to telephone when he was ready. Silently, in the hush of a thrilling expectancy we looked down the long sweep of the avenue, and up into the brilliant sky wondering—
Then came the call from Notre Dame! At the precise moment agreed upon, the signal came, as clear as if it had come from the machine beside us instead of being ‘pulled’ out of the air by the wire dangling from the convent spire. The result of each attempt that morning was reported at once to Professor Green via the telephone, and his voice betrayed the triumph he had achieved …
An American Innovator
Green is thought to be the first to send wireless transmissions in America and the first to use homemade apparatuses, as opposed to using foreign-made equipment. News traveled quickly of Green’s success, which “led the Chicago Tribune to invite Professor Green to Chicago to test the conditions that obtain in a large city.” [Scholastic, 05/06/1899]. The obstacles were great, but after experimenting sending signals to and from various buildings, Green was finally successful in sending messages for half an hour between the Tribune and Marquette buildings. He was “able, after six hours of trial, to prove the Marconi system practical.” [Sunday Times Herald Chicago, 04/23/1899].
Carrying on the Tradition
The Wireless Institute in the College of Engineering has carried on the tradition set by Green by constantly striving to be at the forefront of wireless innovation, and its success is a testament to its faculty and students’ dedication and hard work. The research center was founded in January 2010 and now leads the SpectrumX, the National Science Foundation Spectrum Innovation Center.