The Great Magician vs. The Famous Inventor
What began as a seemingly straightforward business deal quickly devolves into a feud between Guglielmo Marconi, the Father of Radio, and Nevil Maskelyne the world famous magician. Over several years from 1900 the conflict intensifies up to a dramatic conclusion at the Royal Institution that left egos smashed and reputations in tatters.
In the upcoming book “Freaks of the Wireless” you will read about how the events unfolded against the vibrant backdrop of rapid technological development during the industrial revolution. The legendary exchanges between Marconi and Maskelyne are a quintessential motif of Victorian England.
The Origins of Wireless Security
Wireless security finds its start during the feud between Marconi and Maskelyne. Very early during the development of wireless technology the question of secrecy and interference found its way to the forefront of the discussion. Marconi had a solution but quickly found out that the debonair agitator Nevil Maskelyne was inclined to test his claims.
“Freaks of the Wireless” explores the early days of wireless security and hacking in a series of events that are eerily reminiscent of contemporary themes.
- The first bug bounty
- The first wireless eavesdropping attack
- The first real time countermeasure deployment in wireless
- The first wireless hack
- The first denial of service attack
One of the earliest hackers
Nevil Maskelyne was one of the first hackers of Information Technology. Aside from his exploits as a world famous magician he was an electrical engineer, inventor, astronomer, film maker, and author.