RE: VMs: Declaration of WAR against EVA

[ajb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Hello

Regarding the Optical Telegraph system discussed by
Nick - it didn't completely die in 1881, as some such
system was at one point under active investigation and
experiment during the First War. Apparently in late 1914
the RFC were investigating the old idea as potentially a
more secure and efficient ground-air communication link
than the infant wireless telegraphy; and it seems they
thought enemies might use the system for communication
with airships. My grandfather occasionally mentioned his
work in this line. He was mainly concerned with the design
and construction of the electro-mechanical apparatus, but
also took an interest in the codes. I wish now I had paid
attention, but at the age of six I was much more interested in
tales of the actual aeroplanes and fighting! I believe he kept
some of his notebooks and possibly codebooks, but these
were lost (amongst much else) during the Second War.

It seems the project - only a small one - was quite soon
abandoned as too impractical, as airspeeds increased, and as
the true potential of wireless became apparent: so optical
telegraphy vanished again into obscurity.

Regards

Anthony

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