Loomis Day 2023: Date, History, Facts about Radio

Loomis Day, observed annually on May 30, honours Mahlon Loomis and his significant contributions to telegraphic communication. American dentist Loomis was fascinated by how the Earth’s atmosphere could be used for long-distance wireless communication. One of his most notable experiments led to the accidental discovery of early radio technology, whereas the majority of his experiments failed or have been discredited. This wireless technology was further developed and refined to provide WiFi, television, radio, telephones, etc. to the modern world. Even if it was a coincidence, Mahlon Loomis deserves credit for the wireless telegraphic technologies we all enjoy today.

The background of Loomis Day

Loomis Day is celebrated on May 30 to recognise Mahlon Loomis’ contributions to the field of telegraphic communications. In the 1800s, Loomis was an American physicist and dentist. His birthplace was New York, and he was the third oldest of his siblings. Loomis relocated to Ohio in order to become a dentist and work full-time. While Loomis is best known for his contributions to telegraphic communication, he is also credited with producing porcelain prosthetic teeth in 1857. Midway through the 1800s, it became evident that the Earth was surrounded by an electric atmosphere. Loomis saw the potential for generating electricity from the atmosphere to meet the increasing demand for electricity and realise the possibility of wireless communications.

In October of 1866, Loomis tested his concepts in the Virginia mountains. Individually tapping the atmosphere’s distinct concentric strata, he believed, would generate wireless connections. He attached two kites to copper wires and flew them on two separate mountains 20 miles apart and separated by copper wires. Each of the copper wires was connected to a galvanometer, an electromechanical device that measures electric current. He was able to move one kite by moving the other through his experiment. Loomis thought he had constructed a closed circuit, but it turned out to be an early form of radio signals. In 1872, he was granted a patent for his invention, titled “An Improvement in Telegraphing.” Many other scientists and researchers worked on Loomis’ discovery thereafter. Thanks to wireless telegraphy, we now have technologies ranging from WiFi and television to walkie-talkies and internet-connected home appliances.

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5 RADIO FACTS THAT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND

Radios have the greatest range of any wireless technology, 92%.

From 1922 to 1971, radio listening in the United Kingdom required a licence.

Weekly, Americans as young as six listen to radio stations.

84% of people believe that radio stations that customise their programming based on the listener’s location create a stronger emotional connection than stations that target a broader audience.

Monthly online radio consumers increase by 180 million.

LOOMIS DAY DATES

Year	Date	Day
2023	May 30	Tuesday
2024	May 30	Thursday
2025	May 30	Friday
2026	May 30	Saturday
2027	May 30	Sunday