The Standby

A Wireless Journey Toward the Birth of Radio

By: Frank E. Butler, Frank E. Butler II (Editor)

Write A Review

Hardcover | 17 December 2025

At a Glance

Hardcover
590 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
22.86 x 15.24 x 3.66

Hardcover

RRP $97.85

$81.99

16%OFF

or 4 interest-free payments of $20.50 with

Ships in 5 to 7 business days

This is the story of Frank E. Butler, a young man with humble beginnings and a meager education who participated in significant historic events.

From Monroeville, Ohio, the youthful Butler worked his way up to a very enviable job offer with the New York Central Railway. But after a hurried visit to the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, his life was irrevocably altered.

Lured by the demonstrations presented by the American De Forest Wireless Telegraph Co. and intoxicated by the crackles of the high voltage spark-gap arcs, the smell of ozone, and the intrigue of wireless technology, Butler left home and became an assistant to Lee de Forest.

Since 1948, this significant memoir by the editor's grandfather has been hidden away, waiting to be resurrected from dusty files and boxed manuscripts. The author's dying wish - "get the book published" - is now, finally, fulfilled.

Gain a new appreciation for the challenges of advancing wireless telegraphy and learn how an unlikely figure played a key role in developing technology that caught the attention of monopolistic eyes in The Standby, which chronicles the promise of a new and growing communications/electronics industry.

Shipping

	Standard Shipping	Express Shipping
Metro postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Regional postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Rural postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95

Orders over $79.00 qualify for free shipping.

How to return your order

At Booktopia, we offer hassle-free returns in accordance with our returns policy. If you wish to return an item, please get in touch with Booktopia Customer Care.

Additional postage charges may be applicable.