The University of Scranton and King’s College, along with the cities of Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, recently partnered on a civic celebration and demonstration to honor one of the region’s most notable inventors of the 20th century.
One-hundred-twenty years ago in 1905, Rev. Joseph Murgas publicly unveiled the “Tone Method,” a wireless communication system capable of transmitting messages reliably over long distances. Father Murgas, who was born in Slovakia but lived, died and is buried in Northeastern Pennsylvania, successfully tested the technology with a series of messages relayed between local stakeholders in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre.
On Saturday, Nov. 15, University of Scranton president Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., Ph.D., King’s College president Rev. Thomas P. Looney, C.S.C., Ph.D., Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti and Wilkes-Barre Mayor George C. Brown recreated the historic transmission from the University’s W3USR amateur radio station in the Loyola Science Center and the Richard Abbas Alley Center for Health Sciences at King’s. In addition to the message relay, guests were treated to refreshments while visiting exhibits on display at both campuses, showcasing Father Murgas’ vast accomplishments, breakthrough and artworks.