Marconi's diktats. How Italian international wireless policy was shaped by a private company, 1903–1911

Abstract

Wireless telegraphy, born in late 19th century, was regulated at international level very soon in two conferences both held in Berlin in 1903 and 1906. These conferences were organized by Germany in order to break up the British Marconi Company's monopoly. Germany, France and U.S.A. opposed this trust, while U.K. and Italy defended it for different reasons. This paper aims to identify the political, economic, technical, and social reasons that led, or in some cases forced, Italy to protect Marconi's interests at international level. This defensive strategy put the country at the center either of the international debate on wireless, or of the Marconi Company's global strategy.