We have noticed that the telegraph, the cable, and the telephone were the work of those of the Anglo-Saxon race—­Englishmen or Americans—­so it came as a distinct surprise that an Italian youth should make the next great application of electricity to communication.  But Anglo-Saxon blood flows in Marconi’s veins.  Though his father was an Italian, his mother was an Irishwoman.  He was born at Villa Griffone near Bologna, Italy, on April 25, 1874.  He studied in the schools of Bologna and of Florence, and early showed his interest in scientific affairs.  From his mother he learned English, which he speaks as fluently as he does his native tongue.  As a boy he was allowed to attend English schools for short periods, spending some time at Bedford and at Rugby.

One of his Italian teachers was Professor Righi, who had made a close study of the Hertzian waves, and who was himself making no small contributions to the advancement of the science.  From him young Marconi learned of the work which had been accomplished, and of the apparatus which was then available.  Marconi was a quiet boy—­almost shy.

He did not display the aggressive energy so common with many promising youths.  But though he was quiet, he was not slothful.  He entered into his studies with a determination and an application that brought to him great results.  He was a student and a thinker.  Any scientific book or paper which came before him was eagerly devoured.  It was this habit of careful and persistent study that made it possible for Marconi to accomplish such wonderful things at an early age.

Marconi had learned of the Hertzian waves.  It occurred to him that by their aid wireless telegraphy might be accomplished.  The boy saw the wonderful possibilities; he dreamed dreams of how these waves might carry messages from city to city, from ship to shore, and from continent to continent without wires.  He realized his own youth and inexperience, and it seemed certain to him that many able scientists had had the same vision and must be struggling toward its attainment.  For a year Marconi dreamed those dreams, studying the books and papers which would tell him more of these wonderful waves.  Each week he expected the news that wireless telegraphy had been established, but the news never came.  Finally he concluded that others, despite their greater opportunities, had not been so far-seeing as he had thought.

Marconi attacked the problem himself with the dogged persistence and the studious care so characteristic of him.  He began his experiments upon his father’s farm, the elder Marconi encouraging the youth and providing him with funds with which to purchase apparatus.  He set up poles at the opposite sides of the garden and on them mounted the simple sending and receiving instruments which were then available, using plates of tin for his aerials.  He set up a simple spark-gap, as had Hertz, and used a receiving device little more elaborate.  A Morse telegraph-key was placed in