Article

Edward Samuel Rogers

Published Online December 2, 2008

Last Edited March 4, 2015

His alternating-current radio tube, perfected in 1925, revolutionized the home radio-receiver industry throughout the world.
Rogers, Edward
Edward Rogers perfected the radio amplifying tube (artwork by Irma Coucill).

Rogers, Edward Samuel, Sr

 Edward Samuel Rogers, Sr, inventor, broadcasting pioneer (b at Toronto 21 June 1900; d there 6 May 1939). Son of a wealthy businessman, Edward Rogers was obsessed with radio from childhood. At 13 he won a prize for the best amateur-built radio in Ontario, and in 1921 was the only Canadian to win an American competition for low-power broadcasts across the Atlantic.

His alternating-current radio tube, perfected in 1925, revolutionized the home radio-receiver industry throughout the world. Before Edward Rogers, home receivers had to run on direct current from rechargeable acid-filled batteries: the 25- or 60-cycle hum of alternating-current mains electricity was often louder than radio signals. Rogers's amplifying tube eliminated this problem, making mains-powered home radios practical for the first time. With his father, he founded the Rogers Majestic manufacturing company and established several broadcasting companies, including station 9RB (later CFRB, Toronto) named for the "Rogers Batteryless" system. His son Edward Samuel ROGERS, Jr headed up ROGERS COMMUNICATIONS INC until his death.