Who Invented the Walkie Talkie?

The invention of the Walkie Talkie, also known as a 2 way radio or two way Walkie Talkie, has been attributed to several people. The inventors were:

1) Al Goss, who came to the attention of the OSS (soon to be the CIA) in 1938. He was a high-school student and was recruited by the OSS and they went on to develop the walkie talkie for use by the military.

2) The engineering team at the Galvin Manufacturing Company in 1940 (soon to become Motorola). The team was made up of Dan Noble, Henryk Magnuski, Raymond Yoder, Lloyd Morris, Bill Vogel and Marion Bond. They produced the Motorola SCR-300.

3) Donald L Hings, who was a Canadian.

A Walkie Talkie radio is a hand-held, 2-way transceiver with an antenna and either an earpiece simply for the user to hear or a speaker allowing those in the immediate vicinity to hear.

Following the War, 2 way Walkie Talkies came into popular use by the public and by businesses. Using the ‘push to talk’ system, (PTT), they were available at a wide range of prices, depending on whether they were to be used as a toy or as a serious means of communication in the workplace. Unlike the original 2 way Walkie Talkies, some of which had to be carried in a backpack, modern units are small enough to fit into your pocket. They may be shockproof, waterproof and contain a scrambling device for privacy. Some kids Walkie Talkies boast a Morse code facility.

As a means of instant short-range communication, 2 way Walkie Talkies have proved an invaluable asset to the work carried out by security, law enforcement, military and construction workers. It is also of great use to the general public for use when skiing, camping, hunting and for keeping in touch with our children, particularly in areas where there is no cell phone signal.

Etón VOICELINK FR1000 ECO Edition Clock Radio (White)
$62.80
Stay connected with the Voicelink FR-1000. This emergency crank radio combines two-way radio with GMRS technology, built-in flashlight, cell-phone charger and access to weather channels to prepare you for any emergency situation. Now with Bonus FRS walkie talkie included. Get prepared and get connected with the Voicelink FR-1000 today....

Etón VOICELINK FR1000 ECO Edition Clock Radio (Black)
$84.97
Stay connected with the Voicelink FR-1000. This emergency crank radio combines two-way radio with GMRS technology, built-in flashlight, cell-phone charger and access to weather channels to prepare you for any emergency situation. Now with Bonus FRS walkie talkie included. Get prepared and get connected with the Voicelink FR-1000 today....

Eddie Bauer FRS Radio Set - 2 Units
$49.99
Stay connected with friends and family during your outdoor recreational activities. The Family Radio Service (FRS) is a Citizens Band Radio service with No License required. You may operate your FRS Eddie Bauer Radios anywhere within the territorial limits of the U.S....

Motorola MR350 35-Mile Range 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radio (Pair)
$53.69
The Motorola® Talkabout® MR535OR 2-way radio lets you talk hands-free within a range of up to 35 miles. It features the Quiet Talk filter that provides clear communication. Stay informed of changing weather conditions with the 11 weather alert channels....

Motorola MH230R 23-Mile Range 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radio (Pair)
$40.19
The Motorola Talkabout MH230R walkie talkies are an easy and economical way for active families and friends to stay connected on the go. While fun and handy, they can also play an important role in your family's emergency preparedness plan. With a range of up to approx. 23 miles, the rechargeable MH230R two-way radios use both FRS and GMRS frequencies providing more channels. Among its many featur...