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Sir Ernest Fisk
Born
Ernest Thomas Fisk

8 August 1886
Sunbury, Middlesex, England
Died8 July 1965
Roseville, Sydney, Australia
Known forRadio pioneer

Sir Ernest Thomas Fisk (8 August 1886 – 8 July 1965) was an English Australian businessman and entrepreneur who was the founder (1913) and later managing director (1916) and chairman (1932) of Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia) (AWA). In 1944 was appointed managing director of the EMI music empire.[1][2]

On 22 September 1918 he proved the possibility of direct radio communication from the UK to Australia by receiving the first such message at his Sydney home, "Lucania".[3] A memorial was erected on 14 December 1935 to celebrate the achievement.

Throughout his career he held many key positions in the electronics industry.[4] In the 1950s he predicted that color televisions would be in world-wide use within 30 years, and solar power would be used to cool and heat houses.[5]

Fiskville, Victoria, about 10 kilometres south of Ballan, is named after him. From 1927 to 1969 it was the location of the shortwave wireless transmitting complex operated by AWA as part of the Imperial Wireless Chain.[6]

Honours[edit]

Fisk was knighted on 11 May 1937.[7]

Gallery[edit]

  • Ernest Fisk's house "Lucania", Wahroonga, Sydney, Australia. Site of the first wireless message from Wales to Australia, 22 September 1918.

  • The monument erected 14 December 1935.

  • The monument.

  • The monument with "Lucania" behind.

  • Detail of inscription on the monument Part I.

  • Detail of inscription on the monument Part II.

  • Detail of inscription on the monument Part III.

  • Bicentennial plaque celebrating the achievement 70 years later in 1988.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Goot, Murray. "Fisk, Sir Ernest Thomas (1886–1965)". Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University.
  2. ^ IEEE New South Wales Section History – IEEE Global History Network.
  3. ^ "Ernest Fisk and the first wireless telegraphy from the UK to Australia". State Library of New South Wales. Archived from the original on 2014-01-02. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  4. ^ "Pioneer of radio dies". Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995). 1965-07-10. p. 4. Retrieved 2018-09-19.
  5. ^ "EXPERT FORECASTS AIR-CONDITIONED HOMES BY SOLAR RAY USE". Central Queensland Herald (Rockhampton, Qld. : 1930 - 1956). 1956-01-12. p. 11. Retrieved 2018-09-19.
  6. ^ "Former Australian Beam Wireless Transmitting Station". Australian e-Heritage Portal. Retrieved 2016-08-28. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  7. ^ It's an Honour. Retrieved 15 July 2013

External links[edit]

  • Given, Jock. "Empire State: Ernest Fisk and the World Wide Wireless". ABC Radio National - Hindsight.
  • Works by or about Ernest Fisk in libraries (WorldCat catalog)