The First World War was the first multinational conflict which engaged substantially with electrical communication. It saw extensive use of telephony on the battlefield as well as significant early technological developments in and military use of wireless systems; it is now well recognized that the War had a deep impact on the technology and practice of telecommunications. However, beyond the broadest contours, much remains to be understood about the complex and multifaceted nature of that impact as well as the evolution of telecommunications between the wars. The interwar years arguably witnessed the maturing of wireless technology with the completion of the transition to continuous wave systems, the growth of broadcasting, the setting up of long-distance networks and the evolution of smaller, more portable and easier to use devices. Likewise, telephony too saw significant evolution with extensive growth in users, the development of trunk telephony and the automation of exchanges.
In this conference, we are looking to bring together diverse perspectives to understand the extent to which the interwar period was a formative one in the history of telecommunications. We seek papers that explore not just innovations and their use but also the political, social and economic dimensions of telecommunications development. We are particularly interested in understanding the links between the civilian and military aspects, which have all too often been studied in exclusion to one another. It is equally essential to develop an international perspective, and contributions that explore these issues in the United States, France and Germany (or elsewhere) are especially welcome.
Submissions may touch upon all aspects of telecommunications technology during the period including (but not limited to) broadcasting (including television), commercial telecommunications (both short and long distance), military communications, trunk telephony, growth of communication with civil aircraft, (including direction finding), ship-to-shore communication, telecommunications policies and the radio & telephone industry.
The conference is to be held at the Institution of Engineering and Technology (Which is generously part-supporting the event), London on the 10th of August, 2016. Abstracts not exceeding 300 words may be sent to K.Subramanian@leeds.ac.uk before the 30th of March, 2016.