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 (Black) $100.00 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 (White) $100.00 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....

Cobra Portable Handheld GMRS/FRS 2-Way Radios $39.99 Call AlertPower Saver CircuitryRoger BeepUp to 16 Mile Range22 ChannelsLCD DisplayKeystone Tone SignalBelt ClipAuto SquelchSpeaker/Microphone/Charger Jack...

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....

2-Way FRS/GMRS Wrist Watch Walkie-Talkie Radio (Black/Red) $15.99 The OmniZel EZTalk LC22WT communicator is a compact, light-weight, user friendly device with the added functionality of a basic digital watch. No matter who you are, wehever you are, it keeps you within reach! The OmniZel LC22WT communicator can be used at home, work, at the park, while shopping, in stadiums and concerts or in the depths of a forest! The LC22WT features 22 FRS/GMRS channels with ...

Motorola's First 2 Way Radio from 1962

Photograph by bhenak

Related posts:

1. How to Choose a 2 Way Walkie Talkie
2. Where Can I Buy a Walkie Talkie Radio?
3. How Do Walkie Talkies Work?
4. Will Kids Walkie Talkies be Popular this Christmas?