He proved this theory by creating instruments to transmit and receive radio pulses using experimental procedures that ruled out all other known wireless phenomena. He made this discovery at 22 years old.
Hertz’s work forms part of the foundation that modern communication systems are built upon.
In 1886 he saw an electrical spark, which led him down a path that would lead to him being the first person to transmit and received controlled radio waves. He started thinking more deeply about sparks and their effects in electrical currents.
You can read more about how he discovered radio waves in this well written post from famouscientists.org. Ironically he didn’t appreciate the uses that his important discovery would have. It was left to others, including Italy’s Guglielmo Marconi, to develop his ideas into the modern day communication systems we all know and love.
Interesting Facts
- Born: 22 February 1857 in Hamburg, Germany
- Died: 1 January 1894 in Bonn, Germany
- The unit of frequency was named after him
- He also has a crater on the moon named after him!
- He was interested in meteorology
- In 2012 he was given a Google Doodle
Sources:
"Heinrich Hertz." Famous Scientists. famousscientists.org. 23 Nov. 2015. Web. 2/14/2017 <www.famousscientists.org/heinrich-hertz/>.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinrich_Hertz