Marconi – Building the Wireless Age – talk and book signing

A talk and book signing by Tim Wander

Part of Building the Wireless Age, a unique Marconi exhibition

At the original Marconi Wireless and Telegraphy works in Hall Street Chelmsford,
the world's first wireless factory which Marconi established in 1898.

A unique opportunity to visit and learn how the "Old Silk Mill" in Hall Street, Chelmsford, became the world's first wireless factory in 1898 for Guglielmo Marconi, and the fascinating story of its vital role in the early development and manufacture of wireless equipment, or radio as we now call it. In this building, the first generation of Marconi Company employees built the wireless sets used for the first ever transatlantic communications and all early ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore systems including aboard the ill-fated Titanic.

Opposite the works in Hall Street, a permanent signals station was established complete with a 150-foot high mast visible for many miles around, which became one of the first enemy wireless signal intercept stations in the First World War. By 1912 the business had grown beyond the capacity of the Hall Street works and so a brand new factory was built in New Street, which became the world's first purpose-built wireless factory. The rest is history! Countless local families owe much to Marconi the entrepreneur and past generations of their families whose work created an industry and built a business that provided enormous economic benefit to Chelmsford, Essex and its people.

Tim is a freelance author, historian, lecturer and consultant and spent much of his early career with GEC-Marconi Communications in Writtle and New Street. He now has many books and research papers of the history of Marconi and wireless to his credit and is currently project managing major restoration work on the Grade II* listed Northwood House in Cowes, Isle of Wight, working for the Charitable Trust. Members of Chelmsford Science and Engineering Society may recall Tim's related talk for the October 2015 Chelmsford Ideas Festival.

His latest book, specially commissioned for the Hall Street Exhibition, and made possible by a grant from the Essex Heritage Trust, will be on sale at the talk and he will be pleased to sign the limited edition numbered copies – all proceeds being donated to the exhibition project.

Please book through Eventbrite: www.chelmsfordcivicsociety.eventbrite.com

Tickets are £5. All proceeds from talks and merchandise will be used to cover exhibition project costs. This is a volunteer-led initiative.

Tim will also be giving a talk at the Galleywood Heritage Centre on 5 April.

Chelmsford Science and Engineering Society is proud to support Marconi Science WorX: Chelmsford Civic Society in collaboration with BBC Essex.

When
18 March 2016 from 19:00 to 21:00
Location
19 Hall Street (Former Marconi Works)
Chelmsford
Essex
CM2 0HG
United Kingdom
Show large map