The Edwin H. Armstrong Papers are now open to the public. Here is the online finding aid: findingaids.cul.columbia.edu/ead/nnc-rb/ldpd_4078687/summary Working on Armstrong’s papers for the past year has been a tremendously rewarding experience for me. Not only did I learn a great deal about one of the greatest American inventors of the 20th century, but […]
Alpine, New Jersey–My Recent Visit…
W2XMN–Armstrong’s original transmitter building built in 1937, 2010 November 6 W2XMN–Interior of building, 2010 November 6 I had the great pleasure of venturing out to Alpine, New Jersey this past Saturday. I was honored to receive an invitation from Dave Amundsen, the Director of Engineering for CSC Management (the organization who […]
Patent Application…
As can be imagined, there are quite a number of patents to be found within this collection. In addition to Armstrong’s patents, a variety of patents issued to other individuals can be found as well. Armstrong was issued five patents on December 26, 1933. The first is patent number 1,941,066 titled: "Radio Signaling System," […]
Death Ray?
D. Lippincott to Armstrong, 1942 March 13, page 1 D. Lippincott to Armstrong, 1942 March 13, page 2 No, Armstrong did not invent a death ray, but I did come upon an envelope with "Death Ray" written across the front in the collection. The materials contained within […]
Early Childhood and College Years….
Born in 1890, in the Chelsea district of Manhattan, E. H. Armstrong was the first child of John and Emily Armstrong. He had two younger sisters, Ethel and Edith, and in 1902 the family moved out of New York City to 1032 Warburton Avenue in Yonkers, New York. The house was a large Victorian overlooking the […]
Closing of Station KE2XCC…
A. McCormack’s write up for the closing of Alpine, 1954 March 4, page 1 McCormack, closing of Alpine, 1954 March 4, page 2 McCormack, closing of Alpine, 1954 March 4, page 3 McCormack, closing of Alpine, 1954 March 4, page 4 On March 6, 1954, the first experimental FM station, KE2XCC (W2XMN), at Alpine, New Jersey, […]
Radar…
Alpine, NJ–Modulator, Transmitter Mixer, Keyer A and Keyer B (left), Receiver (right), undated When the second World War started in 1939, the United State Signal Corps approached Armstrong for assistance as they wished to use frequency modulation for mobile-military communications. Mobile FM was invaluable during the war and Armstrong allowed the US military use of his […]
Alpine, New Jersey-Part II…
Alpine, NJ-Aerial view of 400 foot radio tower and transmitter building, undated As a result of some queries I received with regard to the last post, I decided station W2XMN warrants additional details (photographs and documents). Alpine,NJ-Unidentified individuals on radio tower, undated First, Armstrong choose Alpine as the site for his station because […]
Alpine, New Jersey…
Subsequent to Armstrong’s frequency modulation system, much of which was patented in 1933, he set out to prove its superiority over AM. He first approached RCA, offering them first option on his new invention. In the spring of 1934 he set up his system in the Empire State building and for the next few years […]
The Superheterodyne
When the United States entered World War I, Armstrong enlisted in the Signal Corps. In 1917 he was posted to France, placed in charge of the Radio Group of the Research Section of the Division of Research and Inspection. This Division had been created in order to examine any existing equipment manufactured by the Europeans […]