In these days of I-phones, internet access, flat screen television and interactive connectivity, the world of listening to the wireless broadcast seems very prehistoric. But in the late 1920’s the first broadcasts cast a magical spell for some and a dismissive shrug for others as, Vivian Oglivie in his book ‘Our Times’ recalls his personal experience of the wireless early, tentative days.
“I remember the first time i heard the wireless. It was at our village institute in Wedmore, Somerset. A couple of men came to give a demonstration to us giggling yokels. The quality of sound was poor. Every now and then something would go wrong. There would be a sudden fading or the intrusion of shrikes, howls and splatterings…… It was not a very impressive performance. It was only remarkable that it should have been done at all. As we left the hall the older people wagged their heads sagely and declared that nothing would come of it.”