Harry Cheetham's Story

Image of Harry Cheetham and Signal Troops of the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia
Harry Cheetham with the Signal Troops of the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia

In this 1916 photo taken just before World War I, American radio pioneer Harry Cheetham stands in civilian clothes to the right of a radio, surrounded by fellow members of the Signal Troops of the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. When he was a boy, Cheetham remembered using wire from a neighbor's hay bales to form his first radio antenna. He was president of the Somerville High School Wireless Society from 1906-1909.

A picture of Harry Cheetham's Radio License

A picture of the back of Harry Cheetham's Radio LicenseHarry Cheetham was one of the pioneers of early radio in the United States. His 1911 radio operator's license was issued shortly before Titanic sank, and the Boston Globe newspaper hired him to listen for and intercept radio communications messages from Carpathia while it steamed back to New York with the Titanic survivors aboard. Although Carpathia's captain had imposed a general radio blackout, it did communicate the names of survivors for the benefit of the families ashore who were anxiously awaiting news of their relatives' fates. Cheetham intercepted one of the survivor messages and sold the information to the Globe for $175.00.

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Harry Cheetham's Radio Operator License

Harry Cheetham was one of the pioneers of early radio in the United States.
Description
Harry Cheetham was one of the pioneers of early radio in the United States. His 1911 radio operator's license was issued shortly before Titanic sank, and the Boston Globe newspaper hired him to listen for and intercept radio communications messages from Carpathia while it steamed back to New York with the Titanic survivors aboard. Although Carpathia's captain had imposed a general radio blackout, it did communicate the names of survivors for the benefit of the families ashore who were anxiously awaiting news of their relatives' fates. Cheetham intercepted one of the survivor messages and sold the information to the Globe for $175.00.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1911-1929
ID Number
EM.310187
catalog number
310187
accession number
112399

Leyden Jar from RMS Carpathia

Leyden jars were essential for storing electrical charges used by the earliest wireless radios used aboard ocean liners. Shortly after RMS Carpathia's rescue of Titanic survivors, the ship visited Boston, Massachusetts.
Description
Leyden jars were essential for storing electrical charges used by the earliest wireless radios used aboard ocean liners. Shortly after RMS Carpathia's rescue of Titanic survivors, the ship visited Boston, Massachusetts. Marconi Wireless Radio employee Harry Cheetham boarded Carpathia to service the radio, which had been damaged during the Titanic operations. He replaced these two Leyden jars. One is intact and the other is broken, but fortunately the broken one shows how the jars were constructed inside to store and relay an electrical charge. Cheetham kept these artifacts as Titanic souvenirs, and donated them to the Smithsonian in 1930.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1910
maker
Marconi Wireless Telegraph Co. Ltd.
ID Number
EM.310242.01
catalog number
310242.01
accession number
113406

Carpathia Switch Lever

This switch lever was part of RMS Carpathia's wireless radio apparatus; most likely it was a manual breaker for the antenna connection to the radio. It would have been opened in storms to prevent lightning from striking the radio itself.
Description
This switch lever was part of RMS Carpathia's wireless radio apparatus; most likely it was a manual breaker for the antenna connection to the radio. It would have been opened in storms to prevent lightning from striking the radio itself. It was damaged during the rescue of Titanic's passengers, and the next time the ship was in Boston, Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company employee Harry Cheetham went aboard Carpathia to service the wireless. At the time, shipboard radios belonged to the radio company, not the shipping lines.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1911
maker
Marconi
Marconi Wireless Telegraph Co. Ltd.
ID Number
EM.309910
catalog number
309910
accession number
110988

Leyden Jar from RMS Carpathia

Leyden jars were essential for storing electrical charges used by the earliest wireless radios used aboard ocean liners. Shortly after RMS Carpathia's rescue of Titanic survivors, the ship visited Boston, Massachusetts.
Description
Leyden jars were essential for storing electrical charges used by the earliest wireless radios used aboard ocean liners. Shortly after RMS Carpathia's rescue of Titanic survivors, the ship visited Boston, Massachusetts. Marconi Wireless Radio employee Harry Cheetham boarded Carpathia to service the radio, which had been damaged during the Titanic operations. He replaced these two Leyden jars. One is intact and the other is broken, but fortunately the broken one shows how the jars were constructed inside to store and relay an electrical charge. Cheetham kept these artifacts as Titanic souvenirs, and donated them to the Smithsonian in 1930.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1910
maker
Marconi Wireless Telegraph Co. Ltd.
ID Number
EM.310242.02
catalog number
310242.02
accession number
113406

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