The History of Communications

Wednesday, 2nd July 2014 – The History of Communications over the past 100 years, with particular reference to the changes made during the lifetimes of our members, by Mike Briggs. Mike started out as a ship’s Radio Officer in the Merchant Navy, before moving into the world of Microwave Transmissions systems for both TV and data.

The talk covered

• evolution of human verbal communications
• early methods of how information and messages transmitted beyond the location of the originator
• visual methods used for signalling through the centuries
• the importance of communication and its development of our world
• examples of how significantly, even disastrously, communications has impacted upon on our lives
• essential components required for long and short range communications systems
• examination of the amazing developments which have been made during the past 100 years

There was also a selection of equipment available for people to examine, from the simple but amazing telegraphic Morse key through to point to point microwave systems, walkie talkies and a few museum pieces.

All in all, Mike gave us a great insight into the developments that have changed the way we communicate with each other.

FutureLearn

FutureLearn is an offshoot of The Open University providing online courses in a wide range of subjects, many of a scientific nature. The aim is to connect learners from all over the globe with high quality educators, and with each other. Courses are delivered one step at a time, and are accessible on mobile, tablet and desktop, so you can fit learning around your life, rather than your life around learning.

 

Courses are typically from 2 to 8 weeks long and expect you to do between 1 and 4 hours work per week.

The list of courses currently running or soon to be run is here.

The Spectrum

Wednesday, 6th November – something a bit different!

This was a meeting inspired by a suggestion from Sylvia Dillon. Six members each gave a 10 minute talk on a different aspect of The Electromagnetic Spectrum:

Marguerita McBride set the scene with an overview of the spectrum, and the relation between wavelength and frequency.

Edmund Moynihan gave a potted history of early discoveries in relation to the spectrum, and of the scientists who made them.

Patsy Colvin concentrated on visible light and colour in chemistry.

Chris Procter talked about ultra violet vision in the animal kingdom, and how insects see the world differently to humans.

Alan Nolan outlined the use of electromagnetic radiation in communications – from long wave radio to microwave transmission.

Jack Brettle was last up to show us how modern astronomy benefits from observing the skies at different wavelengths, and combining the results to give a much fuller picture of the universe than simply using optical telescopes.

This was a somewhat experimental format, but most people seemed to enjoy it, and at least the frequent change of speakers kept the audience awake!

From Man on the Moon to Life in Cyberspace

Here’s a marvellous opportunity…read on!

At the North West U3As AGM in Chester Cathedral on Thursday 23 May, which is also to be a U3A Festival with lots of ancillary activities, there is a talk by Professor Nigel Linge (University of Salford) from 3.00 – 4.00 p.m. Any U3A member can attend the day, which is chock full of interesting things to do (see the NW U3A AGM 2013 invite and download the programme and booking form here)  The cost is just £5 to cover refreshments and you don’t have to attend the AGM at all – just do something different.

Professor Linge’s lecture, entitled, “From Man on the Moon to Life in Cyberspace”, takes 1969 as its starting point and explains how the early development of the Internet was achieved. It then goes on to trace the evolution of both the Internet and the World Wide Web to the point where today virtually every aspect of daily life has been impacted and influenced. Mankind may well have made a giant leap on reaching the Moon in 1969 but cyberspace has potentially had a far greater impact on us all since then!

Nigel Linge is Professor of Telecommunications at the University of Salford. An electronics engineer by profession, he is an experienced academic with over 25 years’ service and offers a series of popular general interest lectures that showcase the engineering achievements that lie at the heart of our telecommunications revolution and examine how our lives have been transformed.