AD
LEEP INK FEATURES
August is Appropos
A toddler playing in the fountain at a park in Santa Fe, New Mexico—Photo LD Lewis. In August, we live through the Dog Days of Summer. It's hot and often humid, and those ...
September is Sassy
Can you hear that sigh of relief from parents worldwide? Yes! September marks the return of students to school, a global phenomenon. Preparations for the ACT and SATs begin earnestly for ...
OOH LA LA, October
October is the busiest month for events, with 5% more happening than in May, the second most eventful month. Sailing enthusiasts will be glued to the finals of this year's Am...
About Loomis Day
United States
Ends: May 30, 2025
DESCRIPTION:
Dr. Mahlon Loomis (July 21, 1826 – October 13, 1886) was an American inventor and dentist who tapped into wireless technology with his inventions. Based on the first known wireless aerial communication in the Blue Ridge Mountains outside Lynchburg, Virginia, in 1866, Loomis received Letters Patent No. 129,971 on July 30, 1872. His invention improved telegraphing by allowing for wireless message transmission. This was three decades prior to Marconi's experiments and years before his 1874 birth.
Born in Fulton County, NY, in 1826 to an intellectually prominent family, Loomis was a dentist and inventor. His experimentation in Virginia's mountains involved two kites equipped with a vertical antenna and a spark gap transmitter, establishing communication over a distance of 14 to 18 miles. This early success in using radio waves predated and arguably outdid Marconi's initial efforts, who in 1895 managed a wireless signal over just 1.5 miles.
Despite his pioneering work, Loomis's contributions to radio are lesser known, primarily due to his financial hardships. Unlike Marconi, who benefitted from robust financial backing in Britain, Loomis struggled economically. His attempts to secure U.S. government funding were thwarted by slow legislative processes and the financial crises of the 1870s, including the Panic of 1873 that triggered a severe depression. This highlights the crucial role of financial support in the advancement and recognition of technological innovation.
Loomis's life, dotted with other inventive efforts—from patented porcelain false teeth to electrical thermostat improvements—reflects a spirited pursuit of innovation, albeit without lasting commercial success. His ideas around telegraphy, while not fully realized in his lifetime, laid the necessary groundwork for wireless communication.
Contrasting these figures, Lynchburg, where Loomis conducted his experiments, emerged as a hub of innovation in various industries. Post-Loomis, the city was notable for pioneering efforts such as the Bonsack machine for cigarette manufacturing in 1881, innovations in funeral service logistics, and the creation of Chapstick by Dr. Charles Browne Fleet, a local pharmacist. These historical footnotes underscore Lynchburg's role in fostering inventiveness beyond Loomis's work.
While Marconi is celebrated with a Nobel Prize for his contributions to wireless telegraphy, remembering Loomis is essential for a complete understanding of the field's early days. His experiments predated and anticipated the technological strides that would later revolutionize communication worldwide. Loomis's story is a poignant reminder of how financial backing can shape the trajectory of technological advancement and public recognition in the annals of history.
This event was created by Robert L Birch, who passed away in 2005.
VIDEOS
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
Currently, this event does not have supporting documents.
ADDITIONAL IMAGES
Currently, this event does not have supporting images.
Where would you like to go now?
AD
/footer-logo.svg){kind=logo}
LEGAL: Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear attribution is given to Jubilee LLC and LEEPCalendar.com, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content (Page URL). Additional documents, embedded videos and additional image rights retained by their creators and are provided to increase understanding of the event or topic.
Jubilee LLC reserves the right to accept or reject inclusion of events in this calendar. The appearance of an event in LEEP Calendar does not imply endorsement of the event, nor the organization championing the event by Jubilee LLC, its stakeholders, customers or subsidiaries. All dates, contact information, URLs, addresses, and information relating to any event, promotion or holiday are subject to change without notice and should be treated as estimated. Jubilee LLC, our stakeholders, customers and subsidiaries cannot warrant accuracy. Users of this application are solely responsible for verifying actual event date with organizers and additional sources prior to committing resources, financial, human or otherwise.
Jubilee LLC, 1712 Pioneer Avenue,Suite 2019 Cheyenne, WY 82001 +1 (484) 226 4777
Copyright © Jubilee LLC / LEEPCalendar.com 2024. All rights reserved.
/Icon awesome-facebook-square.svg)
/Icon awesome-instagram.svg)
/Icon awesome-twitter-square.svg)
/Icon awesome-linkedin.svg)
/Icon awesome-behance-square.svg)