The Vacuum Tube and the Invention of Radio

In today's episode of technology connections, we take a look at the vacuum tube. This simple device had tremendous implications for sound reproduction. We explore how vacuum tubes revolutionized radio, and why they were necessary to make radio practical.

Vacuum tubes made possible the next advancements in sound technology. Subscribe to see more weekly videos form the Technology Connections series, as well as our Tech Explorations mini-videos!

[danatmonst]

I'm visiting from 2023 and I feel like I'm in the archive section of the museum! What a treat! So glad you've never lost this passion, TC ❤

[macronencer]

When I was a boy (early 1970s), my uncle (who worked for the British telephone service, the GPO, which later became British Telecom) gave me one of the best presents I've ever had. It was a kit for making my own crystal set. I put it all together and it worked just fine! I remember sitting in my room listening to radio from around the world on my headphones... and it never needed batteries, of course. Such an educational gift, and he must have put quite a bit of work into it. I'm eternally grateful for his thoughtfulness.

[UXXV]

In under 11 minutes you explained stuff I had no clue about for decades and now its all laid out there! Superb content!

[goddammeme]

Y'know, there's a certain charm to this old intro... I'd like to see this make a comeback in 2020

[petestrasser]

This is the best and most succinct description of "tubes" I have seen, and I have been working with this stuff since 1967. Great job.

[notmychairnotmyproblem]

We need more people like this guy in the classrooms.

[diegogarbus]

Thank you for remembering one of our heroes from the Brazilian homeland, Father Roberto Landell de Moura

[timgore]

I've been studying radio since the late 80's and have been an FCC licensed amateur (ham) radio operator for 25 years. You did a fantastic job explaining the "magic" of radio and vacuum tubes. Your video on the "superhet" was also fantastic!

[brandoncurnutte]

I'm a ham radio operator and this is the best explanation of how vacuum tubes operate that I've ever seen. 73

[BrianBullington]

Vacuum tubes are one of those phrases i have heard for years but never understood. Thanks for the work you do on these channels. They are consistently fascinating.

[AttilaAsztalos]

Listening to the local AM radio station with nothing but a metallic-diaphragm headphone speaker with a germanium diode connected across, one side going to a really long wire as the antenna and the other side grounded to the pipework used to be pretty much on par with magic. No power source needed...

[ncmattj]

Vacuum tubes have always confused me. I was not REALLY sure how they worked. You provided the best, most simplistic explanation I have yet seen. AWESOME WORK and THANKS!

[devonnewest]

If you were a teacher, or professor, the students would have a great edge in learning. YOU ARE GIFTED.

[oliverkeating]

Thanks for this video, I have never understood the basics of how AM radio works until now, despite having a degree in physics!

[MrThepatrickshow]

This channel deserves to be way more popular, and should probably be part of PBS digital by now! Keep up the great work!

[sixstringedthing]

How great are these old videos in their straightforward and no-nonsense (one might even say "rushed and nervous") delivery? Loving it.

[Clarinetboy]

Thanks for making this video! I have a couple of non-working tube radios from the 1930's and 1940's. My daughter is 4, but when she's about 7 we'll work on them together and get them working, that way she'll be able to learn how they work.

[bullettube]

I made my first crystal radio in shop class when I was 15 and when I showed it to my son in 1980 he was amazed! Yes it works and doesn't need a battery! The following year I made a transistor radio, and put it in a 3inx4inx1in plastic storage box. The biggest components were the the speaker, 9 volt battery and the channel dial, the actual radio components were tiny! My teacher told us eventually every thing would be so miniaturized that wrist radios-TVs, and miniature telephones would be possible. I wish he were alive today he would be amazed at the new tech!

[wimwiddershins]

The best explanation of radio valves I've ever heard. Just brilliant!

[codiserville]

Amazing to see you've been going at it passionately for nearly ten years now