The presentation night for May featured a fascinating history of a true Tasmanian Telegraphy, Telephony and Wireless Pioneer – Frederick “Pop” Medhurst.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QD7Px1IyE1w
The chronological journey of Frederick “Pop” Medhurst was given by Justin VK7TW who wrote the source article for AR Magazine at the start of 2024.
Justin started with an introduction of where Frederick “Pop” Medhurst came from in Chobham, UK and his early life and training. He met Alexander Graham Bell and was offered a job and corresponded with Bell for the rest of his life. He moved to Australia and then Australia and married his wife Edith Edney.
Federation created a unique technology test opportunity and Pop communicated ship-to-shore using spark in 1901.
Justin then showed pictures of the Medhurst Field Telephone that Pop invented and sold throughout the world. The Medhurst company installed the first electric light in Hobart. He was the first Life Member & Patron of the WIA Tas Division and was president over many years. He was also first president of the Hobart Radio Research Club. He organised the first and second WIA Federal Conferences in Tasmania in 1928 and 1935.
He was seen in photos at many events and field days around Tasmania up to quite an old age. The story was peppered with many firsts and Justin finished with the fact that the Medhurst Company still exist in North Hobart.
Frederick VK7AH sitting front centre in the WIA Blazer!
November 1932 VK7 Field Day Crew