Cobb Island in Charles County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Milestone in Radio History
Reginald Aubrey Fessenden
National Park Service, Thomas Stone National Historic Site, January 22, 2019
1. Milestone in Radio History: Reginald Audrey Fessenden Marker
On December 23, 1900, Reginald Fessenden made the first wireless transmission of human speech between two sets of 50-foot masts erected along the shore of Cobb Island. The above message was immediately received by his assistant Alfred Thiessen. Intelligible speech had been transmitted by electromagnetic waves for the first time.
Fessenden worked from the large summer home of Philadelphia businessman George Vickers that had been built after he acquired the entire island in 1889. Cobb Island was remote for the secrecy but manageable by steamboats from Washington, D.C.
The incoming station was at the Very Cottage, the only other building on the island in 1900.
[Sidebars:]
Reginald Aubrey Fessenden, the inventor of wireless voice communications, the pioneer of radio transmissions.
Vickers' House. Site of the first Wireless Radio Voice Transmission.
"Hello. One, two, three, four. Is it snowing where you are Mr. Thiessen? if it is, telegraph back and let me know."
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Science & Medicine. A significant historical date for this entry is December 23, 1900.
Location. 38° 15.8′ N, 76° 50.783′ W. Marker is on Cobb Island, Maryland, in Charles County. Marker
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named Milestone in Radio History (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Milestone in Radio History (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Milestone in Radio History (approx. 0.3 miles away); Old Chapel Bell (approx. 4.4 miles away); Ways to Explore Southern Maryland's Scenic and Historic Routes (approx. 5.8 miles away); Discover Southern Maryland's Amazing Stories of Exploration, Hope, and Courage (approx. 5.8 miles away); Charlotte Hall School (approx. 5.8 miles away); St. Clement's Island Museum (approx. 5.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cobb Island.
Also see . . .
1. Vickers House. Maryland Historical Trust Architectural Survey File (Submitted on January 24, 2019.)
2. Reginald Fessenden. National Park service website entry (Submitted on January 24, 2019, by David Lassman of Waldorf, Maryland.)
via NPS, c.1900
2. Reginald Fessenden
National Park Service, Thomas Stone National Historic Site, January 22, 2019
3. Milestone in Radio History: Reginald Audrey Fessenden Marker
National Park Service, Thomas Stone National Historic Site, January 22, 2019
4. Vickers' House exterior.
National Park Service, Thomas Stone National Historic Site, January 22, 2019
5. Welcome to Cobb Island sign, which is 1000 feet from the marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 26, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 24, 2019, by David Lassman of Waldorf, Maryland. This page has been viewed 300 times since then and 39 times this year. Last updated on April 26, 2024, by Elizabeth A. Fessenden of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on January 24, 2019. 2. submitted on January 5, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 24, 2019. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
