Evening star., 1929-12-12

(Contlnued FROM FIRST PageO
It's main feature was a centrally located
hollow cylinder or tube arranged with
its longitudinal axis In the vertical
plane of the line of flight at right
angles to the wings and rigidly con-
nectsd Herewith at their inner ends
with braces and trusSes, the wings eX-
tending outwardly and upwardly from
the cylinder.
The following year DR.. Rogers patent
ed a method of producing a high fire.
quency oscillating current adapted for
the generation of electromagnetic
waves for use in autobiography. It
consisted in regulating the discharges of
condenser between two electrodes by a
constantly moving Jet of water issuing
from one electrode and impinging
against the other to produce an unbal-
anced conductivity and resistance.
Perfects Underground Antenna.
DR.. Rogers began experimenting with
his greatest invention-the underground
and underwater antenna-in 1908,
when he became convinced that electro
impulses could be transmitted through
the earth and through water as well as
through the air. Other scientific work,
however. kept him busy until 1916 when
he became impressed with the impor-
tan ef his great discovery in its bear
ing on the World War He resumed his
experiments in the laboratory of his
HyattSville home where he erected and
perfected what became known as the
Rogers system of underground and
undersea wireless telegraphy.
The main elements Of the system were
a set of ordinary wireless sending and
receiving devices and an antenna
placed underground or underwater, the
wires running out like the Spokes of a
wheel, being of varying lengths and
varied at different depths. BY means
of these wires he picked up messages
from Nauen, Germany; from Darien,
Panama Canal Zone and other dis
tant points. He heard with perfect
distinctness German official reports on
battles and on submarine operation.
When the United States entered the
World War, DR.. Rogers patriotically
offered his discovery to the Govern
ment. An investigation by the Navy
Department established its extraordi-
nary value and Importance, and by
special request of the Secretary Of the
Navy letters of patent were issued to
him. His underground wireless was
installed at various naval stations and
fully justified all claims. At the Bel
mar, N. j., station the Rogers appara-
tlls was placed in an underground
chamber, and from that time until the
end of the war from four to six opera
tors were constantly receiving messages
from the radio stations of the allies in
Europe
Having no tell-tale antenna above
ground to attract the attention of spies
and with storms and static disturbances
almost powerlesS to interfere, this
means Of communication with the allies
was secretly kept in continuous use
while the war lasted. 1t also was used
in American dugouts in France and
often 1t was the only means of COM
munication. Installed on submarines, it
enabled them while submerged to COM
municate with other underwater craft,
battleships, airplanes and shore stations.
Many HOnOrS Conferred.
DR.. Rogers had many honors con-
ferred upon him. The Maryland
Academy Of Science gave him its in
ventor's medal and the degree of honor
ary fellow; Georgetown University and
the University of Maryland bestowed
upon him the degree of doctor of science
in 1919, and he was elected an honorary
member Of the National Inventors
Institute.
DR.. Rogers never married. He is
survived by brother, James c.. Rogers.
and two sisters, Miss A. Mae Rogers and
Mrs. Cora r. Clarke, all of HyattsVille.
Funeral arrangements have not been
completed.