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GUGLIELMO MARCONI
The father of modern telecommunications, Guglielmo Marconi (1874-1937) was born in Bologna, Italy. His pioneering
work in wireless telegraphy and radio transmission resulted in the first transmission of a transatlantic wireless
signal from Poldhu, Cornwall, to St. John’s, Newfoundland, on December 12, 1901. His British-based Marconi Telegraph
Co. and its successor companies pioneered the development of short wave radio as well as modern commercial
broadcasting. The recipient of many honors and awards, Marconi shared the 1909 Nobel Prize in Physics with Karl
Ferdinand Braun.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Q. What is the Marconi Society, Inc.?
A. The Marconi International Fellowship Foundation was founded in 1974 by
Guglielmo Marconi’s daughter Gioia Marconi Braga to mark the centennial of
her father's birth and memorialize his spirit of ingenuity in service to humanity.
The Foundation was established to nurture, recognize and celebrate individuals whose
innovations in communications technology have made a lasting contribution for the public benefit.
2. Q. What is the mission of the Marconi Society, Inc.?
A. The Marconi Society, Inc. recognizes outstanding
individuals who have made lasting contributions to human progress through the invention and application
of communications technology.
Through symposia, conferences, publication of scholarly papers and the prestigious Marconi Fellowship Award, the
Foundation strives to promote research among those whose achievements have characterized the partnership between
sociology and science, paving the way for innovation through the integration of multiple disciplines. The Marconi
International Fellowship Foundation awards its annual $100,000 honorarium for innovations in information
technologies for broad public benefit.
4. Q. Where is the Marconi Society, Inc. headquartered?
A. Housed at Columbia University’s Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science since 1997, the Marconi Society, Inc.
is comprised of a chairman, president, executive director, secretary-treasurer and board of directors.
5. Q. What is the relationship between the Marconi Society, Inc. and Columbia University?
A. The Marconi Society, Inc. is a separate public 501(C)(3) corporation housed at Columbia University in the Fu School of Engineering
and applied Science. The president of Columbia University selects two members of his organization to serve on the Marconi Society, Inc.’s
board of directors.
6. Q. How does one qualify for a Marconi Fellowship?
A. The Marconi Prize is granted each year to an individual or individuals who have made a significant contribution to the
advancement of communications through scientific or technological discoveries and/or innovations. Recipients are expected
to pursue further creative work that will add to the understanding and
development of communications to enhance humanity.
7. Q. How is one nominated for a Marconi Prize?
A. The Marconi Society, Inc. invites worldwide nomination of individuals whose work in the field of communications or information
science and technology exemplifies the technical and research creativity and human concerns that characterized Marconi’s own
contributions. The Marconi Society, Inc. welcomes nominations from learned societies and academies, and from individuals in
universities, industry and public life.
8. Q. Does the Marconi Society, Inc. accept contributions or sponsors?
A. The Marconi Society, Inc. welcomes individual, corporate and institutional sponsors and affiliates. Sponsors include many of the
world’s most prestigious names in telecommunications, education and media. Link to web page with sponsors.
MEDIA CONTACT INFORMATION
Media Contact:
Agins Communications
Steve Agins- 212-666-8578 or agins@aginscom.com
Sally Sherwood-212-580-3255 or sjsherwood@aginscom.com
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