[Ads-l] Antedating of "Radio"

Shapiro, Fred fred.shapiro at YALE.EDU
Mon Sep 28 11:30:46 UTC 2020


The OED's first use of "radio" is dated 1907.  According to Wikipedia,
"The use of 'radio' as a standalone word dates back to at least December 30, 1904, when instructions issued by the British Post Office for transmitting telegrams specified that 'The word "Radio".. is sent in the Service Instructions'."

The Wikipedia footnote for the above statement cites The Electrical Review (London), 20 Jan. 1905, p. 108, quoting the British Post Office's 30 Dec. 1904 Post Office Circular.

Fred Shapiro



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