Aleksandr Popov (physicist)
Alexander Popov | |
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Александр Попов | |
Born | Alexander Stepanovich Popov 16 March 1859 Turyinskiye Rudniki, Perm Governorate, Russian Empire |
Died | 13 January 1906 St. Petersburg, Russian Empire | (aged 46)
Known for | Radio |
Awards |
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Signature | |
Alexander Stepanovich Popov (sometimes spelled Popoff; Russian: Александр Степанович Попов; March 16 [O.S. March 4] 1859 – January 13 [O.S. December 31, 1905] 1906) was a Russian physicist who was one of the first people to invent a radio receiving device.[1][2][3]
Popov's work as a teacher at a Russian naval school led him to explore high-frequency electrical phenomena. On 7 May 1895, he presented a paper on a wireless
Early life
Born in the town of
Radio wave receiver
Along with his teaching duties at the naval school, Popov pursued related areas of research. Trying to solve a problem with the failure in the electrical wire insulation on steel ships (which turned out to be a problem with
Popov also read an 1894 article about British physicist
Operating principle
In Popov's lightning detector the coherer (C) was connected to an antenna (A), and to a separate circuit with a relay (R) and battery (V) which operated an electric bell (B). The radio noise generated by a lightning strike turned on the coherer, the current from the battery was applied to the relay, closing its contacts, which applied current to the electromagnet (E) of the bell, pulling the arm over to ring the bell. Popov added an innovative automatic reset feature of a "self tapping" coherer where the bell arm would spring back and tap the coherer, restoring it to its receptive state.[3] The two chokes (L) in the coherer's leads prevented the radio signal across the coherer from short circuiting by passing through the DC circuit. He connected his receiver to a wire antenna (A) suspended high in the air and to a ground (earth) (G). The antenna idea may have been based on a lightning rod and was an early use of a monopole wire aerial.[8]
Demonstrations
On 7 May 1895, Popov presented the paper "On the Relation of Metallic Powders to Electric Oscillations", which described his lightning detector, to the Russian Physical and Chemical Society in St. Petersburg.[6] Most Eastern sources regard Popov's lightning detector as the first radio receiver,[9] and 7 May has been celebrated since 1945 in the Russian Federation as "Radio Day".[2] However, there is no evidence Popov sent any type of message on that occasion. The first account of communication by Popov was a demonstration on 24 March 1896 at the Physical and Chemical Society, when some accounts say the Morse code message "ГЕНРИХ ГЕРЦ" ("HEINRICH HERTZ" in Russian) was received from a transmitter 250 meters away and transcribed on the blackboard by the Society president.[2] Historian Charles Susskind in 1962 concluded that Popov did not use radio waves for actual wireless communication before mid-1896.[4]
In 1895 Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi began work on a purpose-built wireless telegraphy system based on "Hertzian" (radio) waves, developing a spark-gap transmitter and a much improved automatically reset coherer receiver. By mid-1895 Marconi had transmitted messages 1/2 mile (800 meters). He then came up with the idea grounding his transmitter as well as his receiver, and by mid-1896 he was transmitting radio messages a mile and a half (2400 meters).[10] Popov and Marconi's early work seems to have been done without knowledge of each other's system, although reading Marconi's June 1896 patent disclosures led Popov to develop a long-range wireless telegraphy system.[4]
His paper on his experiments: "On the relation of metallic powders to electrical oscillations", was published 15 December 1895. He did not apply for a patent for his invention.[3] In July 1895 he installed his receiver and a siphon recorder on the roof of the Institute of Forestry building in St. Petersburg.[1] and was able to detect thunderstorms at a range of 50 km,[4] however he was also aware of its communication potential. His paper, read at the 7 May 1895 meeting, concluded:[2][4]
I can express my hope that my apparatus will be applied for signaling at great distances by electric vibrations of high frequency, as soon as there will be invented a more powerful generator of such vibrations.
In 1896, the article depicting Popov's invention was reprinted in the 'Journal of the Russian Physical and Chemical Society'. In March 1896, he effected transmission of radio waves between different campus buildings in St. Petersburg. In November 1897, the French
Later work
In 1900 a radio station was established under Popov's instructions on
By the time the Apraksin was freed from the rocks by the
Death
In 1905 he became seriously ill and died of a
Honors
Radio Day
In 1945 on the 50th anniversary of Popov's experiment the old Soviet Union made 7 May a new holiday, Radio Day, the day they claim Popov invented radio. Historians note this holiday may be more due to Cold War era politics than historical evidence.[14][1][3] Radio Day is still officially marked in Russia and Bulgaria.
Named after
- A Lyudmila Zhuravlyova in 1979.[15]
- Crater Popov on the back side of the Moon.
- A huge conference room "Alexander Stepanovich Popov" at the Russian Federation alongside Hamadoun Touré, Secretary General of the ITU.
Monuments
- Monument to A. S. Popov, Nizhny Novgorod, Museum of Radiophysics
- Monument to A. S. Popov, Yekaterinburg, Popov Square on Pushkin Street.
- Monument to A. S. Popov, Rostov-on-Don, Radio Frequency Center of the Southern Federal District, main entrance, 50 Budennovsky Ave., the opening took place on 7 May 2009, on Radio Day
- Monument to A. S. Popov, Krasnoturinsk
- Monument to A. S. Popov, Peterhof, Naval Institute of Radio Electronics named after A.S. Popov, main entrance
- Monument to A. S. Popov, Peterhof, Naval Institute of Radio Electronics named after A.S. Popov, entrance from the Scout boulevard
- Monument to A. S. Popov, Saint Petersburg, sculptors: V. Ya. Bogolyubov and V.V. Isaev, architect: N.V. Baranov – (1959; Kamennoostrovsky Prospekt, in the square between houses 39 and 41), at the station Petrogradskaya
- Monument to A. S. Popov, Moscow, Alley of Scientists, Sparrow Hills, Moscow State University n.a. M.V. Lomonosov
- Monument to A. S. Popov, Ryazan, at the main entrance to the Ryazan State Radio Engineering University
- Monument to A. S. Popov, Kronstadt, square at the memorial museum of the inventor of radio A. S. Popov[17]
- Monument to A. S. Popov, Perm, architects: D. Lapshin, E. Koltsova; artist I. Dymshakov; sculptor A. Matveev
- Monument to A. S. Popov, Kotka, Finland
- Monument to A. S. Popov, Dnipro, st. Stoletova
- Monument to A. S. Popov on the territory of OdessaElectrotechnical Institute of Communications named after A.S. Popov (now Odessa National Academy of # Communications named after A.S. Popov)
- Monument to A. S. Popov, Dalmatovo in the territory of school No. 2, named after the inventor.
- Monument to A. S. Popov, Omsk, the territory of “Radio Plant named after A. S. Popov", a bust.
- The obelisk, a memorial stone and a Hogland
- Memorial stone in honor of the invention of the radio in 1895 by A. S. Popov, Kronshtadt, Toulonskaya Alley, Yachtennaya Square
- Sign 100 years of radio (1997), Sevastopol
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Bust of Popov at the entrance to Ryazan State Radio Engineering University
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Monument to A.S.Popov inKrasnoturinsk
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100 years sign of radio in Sevastopol
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Monument to Popov in Yekaterinburg city
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1955 postage stamp
Commemorative plaques
- In Kronstadt, Sovetskaya St., at the house 43 a memorial plaque states: “Here, in the naval assembly, in 1886–1898 the inventor of the radio A. S. Popov gave public lectures", 1995. Sculptor Sidorenko V. G. Marble, bronze.
- In Kronstadt, Makarovskaya St., there is a memorial plaque on the house states: “Here, in the former marine technical school, in 1890–1901, radio inventor A. S. Popov worked as a teacher", 1995. Sculptor Sidorenko V. G. Marble, bronze.
- In Kronstadt, Makarovskaya St., there is a memorial plaque on the house: “Here, in the former mine officer class, the inventor of the radio A. S. Popov worked. 1883–1901”, 1945. Marble.
- In Kronstadt, 1 Makarovskaya St., a gazebo in the courtyard, memorial plaque: “Here, in April–May 1895, the inventor of the radio A. S. Popov tested the world's first radio receiver”, 1945. Marble.
- In Kronshtadt, Uritsky St., on the house 35 a plaque: “I, the great Russian scientist, inventor of radio Alexander Stepanovich Popov, lived here in 1895–1901.", 1945. Marble.
- In Kronstadt, Ammerman St., on the house 31 a plaque: “The great Russian scientist, inventor of radio Alexander Stepanovich Popovlived here from 1886 to 1898", 1974. Marble.
- In Saint Petersburg, Admiralteysky passage, 2. In the building of the Higher Naval Engineering School. F. E. Dzerzhinsky memorial plaque states: “The great Russian scientist, radio inventor A. S. Popov taught at the Marine Engineering School from 1890 to 1900.” Until 1977. Marble, bronze.
- In Saint Petersburg, Makarova Embankment (formerly Tuchkova Embankment) at building 22, in which A.S. Popov lived in 1901–1902, a memorial plaque was installed. Marble.
- In Saint Petersburg, Professor Popov Str., On the house 3 there is a plaque: "Inventor of the radio A. S. Popov lived, worked and died on December 31, 1905", 1925 – originally installed, 1945 – renewed. Marble.
- In Saint Petersburg, Professor Popov St., 5/3. Electrotechnical University, memorial plaque: “In this room in 1903–1905 Alexander Stepanovich Popov was a lecturer”, 1959. Arch. Ivanov A.I., Gellerstein R.I. Marble
- In Saint Petersburg, Professor Popov St., 5/3. University of Electrical Engineering, memorial plaque: “Office of the inventor of radio, Professor A. S. Popov. 1901–1905.", 1948. Marble.
- In Saint Petersburg, Professor Popov St., 5/3. Electrotechnical University, memorial plaque: “In 1905 Radio inventor Professor Alexander Stepanovich Popov was the first elected director of this institute” 1947. Arch. Smirnov N.I. Marble.
- In Saint Petersburg, V.I., Szedovskaya line, on house 31/22, a plaque: “In this house in 1901–1902 lived the inventor of the radio A. S. Popov", 1947. Smirnov N. I. Marble.
- In Saint Petersburg, Pochtamtskaya St., 7. Central Museum of Communications named. A. S. Popov, lobby, memorial plaque: “In 1945 the Central Museum of Communications was named after A. S. Popov”, marble.
- In Saint Petersburg, V.I., in the courtyard of Saint Petersburg State University on the building of the Russian Physics-chemical Society, Universitetskaya emb., memorial plaque: “Here on March 24 (12), 1896 A.S. Popov received the very first radiogram using the device he invented", 1961. Marble.
- With the support of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva from 5 to 9 October 2009, the World Exhibition “Telecommunication World 2009” was held (ITU Telecom World 2009). Among the events was the opening of a plaque to A. S. Popov at the world communications management center.[18]
Museums
- Museum of Radio named after A. S. Popova, Ekaterinburg
- House-Museum of Alexander Stepanovich Popov, Krasnoturinsk
- Memorial Museum of Radio Inventor A.S. Popov, Kronstadt
- Museum-cabinet and museum-apartment of A. S. Popov, LETI, St. Petersburg
- The postal and telecommunications museum in Saint Petersburg, the leading museum in its field in the Russian Federation, has since 1945 bore the name A.S. Popov Central Museum of Communications.[19]
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House-Museum of Alexander Stepanovich Popov,Krasnoturinskin Popov street
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A.S. Popov Central Museum of Communications in Saint Petersburg
Books
Books about A. S. Popov:
Golovin G.I. ("The life of wonderful people" Series, No. 141): Alexander Stepanovich Popov – 1945, 88 pp., 50
Movies
Films about A. S. Popov:
Alexander Popov (film) is a 1949 biographical film about the life and work of Alexander Stepanovich Popov.
Holidays
16 March is the birthday of A. S. Popov 7 May – Radio Day
Numismatics
In 1984, the USSR State Bank issued a jubilee coin with a face value of 1 ruble dedicated to A.S. Popov.[20]
Philately
Many stamps have been issued depict A.S.Popov bearing the honor of him inventing radio.
Family
Some of his descendants escaped to Manchuria during the Bolshevik Revolution and eventually made their way to the United States. Among others were his cousin, Dr. Paul Popov, who became a prominent physician in San Francisco and Paul's son, Egor Popov (1913–2001), who became a UC Berkeley Professor Emeritus of Civil and Environmental Engineering.[21][22]
See also
References
Citations
- ^ a b c d e Smith-Rose, Reginald Leslie (2013). "Alexandr Popov". Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g h McKenna, Joe (2007). "Aleksandr Popov's Contributions to Wireless Communication". IEEE Engineering Hall of Fame. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. Archived from the original on 10 November 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
- ^ a b c d "Did Alexandr Popov invent radio?" (PDF). NSA Technical Journal. 5 (1). US: National Security Agency: 35–41. January 1960. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 November 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2013. declassified 8 January 2008
- ^ ISBN 0471205052. A picture of Popov's receiver appears on p. 207, fig. 12.2
- ^ M. Radovsky, Alexander Popov Inventor of Radio, The Minerva Group, Inc. 2001, pp. 37–38
- ^ ISBN 978-1579582494
- ^ a b Sungook Hong, Wireless: From Marconi's Black-box to the Audion, MIT Press, 2001, pp. 30–32
- ^ Sungook Hong, Wireless: From Marconi's Black-box to the Audion, MIT Press, 2001, p. 202
- ^ Electronics World, Volume 64, Ziff-Davis Publishing Company – 1960, p. 78
- ^ Sungook Hong, Wireless: From Marconi's Black-box to the Audion, MIT Press – 2001, p. 202 (notes)
- ^ "Aleksandr Popov". IEEE Global History Network. IEEE. Retrieved 21 July 2011.
- ^ "Eminent scientists of Saint-Petersburg Electrotechnical University ETU "LETI"". Saint Petersburg, Russia: Saint-Petersburg Electrotechnical University. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
- ISBN 978-1438109251. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
- ^ Sungook Hong, Wireless: From Marconi's Black-box to the Audion, page 1
- ^ Dictionary of Minor Planet Names, 2003, vol. 1, p. 253
- ^ Dan Maloney. Did A Russian Physicist Invent Radio?
- ^ "150th birthday of Popov A.S." colnect.com. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
- ^ The opening of the memorial plaque to A. S. Popov in Geneva // "Radio" magazine. 2009. p. 5.
- ^ "About museum". About. Saint Petersburg, Russia: The A.S. Popov Central Museum of Communications. Archived from the original on 23 May 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
- ^ "1 Ruble (Alexander Popov)". colnect.com. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
- ^ [1] Archived 21 January 2012 at the Wayback Machine Engineering Pioneer Egor Popov
- ^ [2] Connections: The EERI Oral History Series. Egor Popov
Sources
- Alexander Popov: Russia's Radio Pioneer by James P. Rybak
- Short biographies of Popov
- (in Russian) Lightning detector and radiostations of Popov's design: history of manufacturing