December 12th 》Waves Across the Atlantic
On This Day - Bridging Continents and Eras
December 12th, 4 AM in the Bronx. I'm only here for a few more hours before boarding our flight. The world outside is a sleeping giant, its heartbeat slow and rhythmic, a stark contrast to the usual frenetic pulse of the city.
In my sister's high-rise apartment, the early hour wraps around us like a cloak, the silence almost tangible. It's that magical time when night hasn't quite let go, and the day is just a promise waiting to be fulfilled.
I'm sitting by the window, coffee in hand, the rich aroma a familiar comfort in this unfamiliar place—constants and coffee is another article I wrote recently. A practice in play as I hold on to my comforting pen and coffee while traveling.
The skyline, a jagged silhouette against the pre-dawn sky, is dotted with lights - distant lives, distant stories. My family stirs gently, the soft sounds of awakening a reminder of the long journey ahead. We're bound for the Greater Antilles, a voyage over oceans to a land that holds half of our heritage.
I see the faint outline of the 4g and 5g cellphone antennas across the street atop the next apartment building. Being in the communications business, I know a lot about those sector antennas, including the history.
Here is a picture from my current view:
With that said, I can't help but reflect on the Marconi contributions made to communications on this day 122 years ago.
As I gaze out, lost in thought, I reflect on December 12th's place in the timeline of history, weaving the past into our present narrative.
1787 – Pennsylvania becomes the 2nd U.S. State: Just as the first light of dawn heralds a new day, Pennsylvania’s entry into the Union signaled a new chapter for a young nation. Like our family, poised on the brink of a journey, Pennsylvania's statehood was a step into an unknown but hopeful future.
1901 – Guglielmo Marconi receives the first transatlantic radio signal: Over a century ago today, Marconi bridged an ocean with a message, shrinking the world in an instant. He connected his radio to a kite antenna and successfully sent and received a signal over 2,200 miles across the Atlantic. This was not the first radio transmission. However, it was the first wireless signal to cross the ocean, bringing new possibilities to a world that had only known about wired Morse code.
The message sent by Marconi was simply the Morse-code signal for the letter “S”, traveling over 2,000 miles from Poldhu in Cornwall, England, to Newfoundland, Canada.
This achievement was a culmination of perseverance and innovation, disproving nay-sayers who doubted the feasibility of radio waves traveling such long distances due to the curvature of the earth.
In fact, this signal was initially headed into space as radio signals travel straight, not on a curve. However, the signal was reflected off the ionosphere, a phenomenon not yet understood at the time, and bounced back down towards Canada in a rare happenstance. Regardless, even though the signal bounced its way from sky to water and zig-zagged itself all across the ocean, it was just enough to fuel the endless possibilities that followed.
Today, as my family and I prepare to cross the Atlantic, much like Marconi's signal over a century ago, it's astounding to consider the advancements we've witnessed. From simple radio waves to the complex navigation systems of modern jet planes, the ability to connect across continents has evolved in ways Marconi might never have imagined.
Interestingly, later in his life, Marconi grappled with the implications of his groundbreaking work. Likely in the wake of World War I, where his discoveries assisted in mass destruction, he may have had “Oppenheimer Remorse,” as I coin it.
In 1934, during an exchange with the principal of the University of St Andrews, UK, after being elected as lord rector by the students, he reflected on his contributions with a mix of pride and concern, famously remarking;
“Have I done the world good, or have I added a menace?”.
This statement encapsulates the duality of technological advancement - the potential for both profound benefit and unforeseen consequences. It's a tangible sentiment that is felt deeply as we embark on our own family journey across the Atlantic in 2023, leveraging the very advancements Marconi's work made possible.
1915 – Frank Sinatra is born: Ol' Blue Eyes, the voice of a generation, a New York icon. His melodies are like the city itself – timeless, resilient, and full of soul. As we leave New York, the strains of his songs seem to linger in the air, a fitting soundtrack to our departure.
1963 – Kenya gains its independence: A nation breaking free from colonial rule, finding its own identity. It’s a tale of liberation and self-determination. Our journey, in a way, mirrors this – a voyage towards family roots, exploring our own identities through the lens of heritage and homeland.
2000 – The United States Supreme Court releases its decision in Bush v. Gore: A moment that reminds us how fragile democracy can be, how the course of history can hinge on a single decision. As I look at my sleeping children, I ponder the world they will inherit – a world where their voices, their votes, will matter.
The clock ticks steadily, each second a soft whisper urging us to move. Our bags are packed, passports ready. The Bronx, with its pre-dawn hushed streets and sleeping giants, watches over us as we prepare to embark on our own historical journey.
In these quiet moments, history feels close enough to touch – a reminder that every day is a page in a larger story, every choice a ripple across time.
Today, December 12th, is our page, our ripple. It's a day of new beginnings, of farewells to one city and hellos to another, of horizons eagerly awaited.
So here’s to December 12th, a day that has seen the world change in countless ways. As we step out into the cool, twilight air, New York slowly awakening behind us, we carry with us the lessons of history – of resilience, of connection, of the unending journey towards the future.
Our flight awaits, a bridge across the sky to new adventures, new memories. The story of December 12th continues, and we're all part of it—you as well.