History of Wireless: Alexander Popov

Practical Application of Electromagnetic Radio Waves

Alexander Popov

Alexander Popov (March 16, 1859 – January 13, 1906) was a Russian physicist who was the first person to demonstrate the practical application of electromagnetic radio waves. In the early 1890s, Popov continued experiments from other radio pioneers such as Heinrinch Hertz. In 1984 he built his first radio receiver. On March 24, 1896, he demonstrated transmission of radio waves between different campus buildings in St Petersburg. He demonstrated ship-to-shore communication over a distance of 6 miles in 1898 and 30 miles in 1899.