We Built This City

"Marconi plays the mamba, listen to the radio, don't you remember...." I find myself thinking of this song lyric a lot lately.  The song itself is a dirge describing how the innovation of rock 'n roll and all the societal changes (disruption?) it brought had been forgotten with time: "we just lost the beat."  The cutting edge had become dull, or so the lyricists felt.

But it is a seemingly throw-away line in the song about this Marconi that has been stuck in my mind.  In fact, since Starship released the song, this verse has been lingering in my head.  Who is this guy? Why was he important to acknowledge? Today, as the song has repeatedly played in my head, I know who he was and understand why he mattered.  More importantly, I understand why he continues to matter.

We live in a most remarkable time that, like few other periods in human history, honors innovation, fosters innovators and creators, and celebrates disrupters. In physics, bioscience, cooking(!), manufacturing, transportation, electronics, software, artificial intelligence, communication, and, of course, entertainment, we see innovative developments reported with breath-taking frequency. Many of those innovations are relevant to us every single day.

We currently live in a "maker society," and many of my clients in the technology and entertainment industries are among the makers and creators. Having a front row seat to observe these modern-day virtuosos do things that transcend our notion and understanding of "possible" has been thrilling.

Starship recognized the importance of makers and creators.  That is obvious to anyone who casually listens to the song.  It comments on the value that rock 'n roll brought to the world.  Modern music from the rock 'n roll era had a profound effect on who we are as a culture.  But these makers--creators, may be more apt to describe rock bands--would never have had a voice with such a broad range without one maker who made the whole thing possible: Marconi.  Guglielmo Marconi, to be precise.

You see, Marconi was an innovator.  He is considered to be the father of radio (and the great grandfather of cell phones).  He is the maker who created a platform to spread rock 'n roll.  Marconi was an Italian, born in 1874 who lived to 1937. He was passionate about science and electricity, and he was particularly fascinated by the electromagnetic radiation discovered by Hertz.  Once called Hertzian Waves, now affectionately known as radio waves. 

Marconi began conducting experiments with these electromagnets in his attic on equipment he largely built himself.  He wanted to use radio waves to create a practical system of wireless telegraphy.  By the summer of 1894, Marconi was able to build a storm alarm, and later that year he could make a bell ring on the other side of the room by pushing a button.  He was only 20 years old.  When Marconi shared his experiments with his parents, they encouraged him and supported his experiments.  The following year he discovered that he could extend the range of his device by developing what came to be known as the monopole antenna.

When he tried to explain his findings to the Italian Ministry of Posts and Telegraphs, Marconi was dismissed as insane.  Yet, Marconi continued on.

He left Italy and continued his experiments and developments in England and the United States.  Setting his sights on transmitting radio waves at ever greater distances, he conducted and published numerous experiments.  His results had been rejected by the scientific community because many scientists of the time believed that radio waves were limited to travel no farther than line of sight.

He pressed on.  On December 17, 1902, he was able to transmit the first radio signal originating from from Nova Scotia, Canada, all the way across the Atlantic.  A month later, he was able to transmit a message of greetings from President Theodore Roosevelt to King Edward VII of the United Kingdom.

Thus radio was born.  There were a lot of bumps along the way.  But Marconi's efforts proved the possibility, developed the concept, and paved the way.  In doing so, he created the platform in which rock ‘n roll would flourish.

Marconi, like many innovators today, had to overcome technical challenges, of course.  But beyond that he had to fight against doubt and unbelief, and he had to challenge accepted scientific notions.  He, without doubt, could understand the loneliness that today’s would-be disrupters also experience.

Marconi is one simple example of a determined human being who fought back doubt, uncertainty, and marginalization in order to achieve his dream.  We would not have cell phones, Wi-Fi, or (probably) the Internet of Things without him.

As wonderful as it is to watch innovation play out, I see the loneliness and challenges that creators must overcome in order to do what they've done to improve our lives. While you and I may be able to sit comfortably looking out toward history-in-the-making, I thought it would be an encouraging exercise to consider some pioneers in innovation—women and men like Marconi. Those people on whose shoulders we now stand, who once faced substantial obstacles, who once suffered through isolation and marginalization, who had to ignore doubters and naysayers.

What I love most about Marconi and his story, is not about Marconi at all. It is that there are countless stories of men and women like him--like you--who can change the world through sheer will and determination.

I will share examples from computers and electronics, entertainment, toys and games, food, transportation, economics, travel, and science. There is something for  everyone and two important take-aways for readers.  The results are worth the struggle.  So don't let the din of doubt destroy your dreams. Fear not, intrepid innovators, you can do it!  Do not stop.  You are building this city.