The imprint of genius

Marconis transmission of wireless waves across the Atlantic in 1901 suggested that there was a ‘Heaviside layer’ in the high atmosphere to reflect them, but it was not until 1924 that experiments clearly demonstrated the layers existence. Between then and about 1935 wireless waves were used to elucidate the structure of the layer and the upper atmosphere.

It is shown why the proof of the layers existence was delayed so long, and how some doubtful suggestions about it were occasionally made: it is suggested that Appleton and the early workers in England conducted their experiments with a belief in the importance of ‘style in physics’, assisted, no doubt, by financial stringency.