Edwin Howard Armstrong
Inventor of FM radio and superheterodyne receiver system.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
Edwin Howard Armstrong, born December 18, 1890, in New York City, was an American engineer and inventor whose work reshaped radio. He is best known for creating FM radio and the superheterodyne receiver. Over his career, he secured 42 patents and earned major honors: the first Medal of Honor from the Institute of Radio Engineers (now IEEE), the French Legion of Honor, the 1941 Franklin Medal, and the 1942 Edison Medal. He served as a major in the U.S. Army Signal Corps during World War I and was often called "Major Armstrong." A lifelong Columbia University affiliate, he studied there, later became a professor, and held that post for most of his life. He was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame and the International Telecommunication Union's roster of great inventors, and posthumously into the Wireless Hall of Fame in 2001.
Armstrong’s life was marked by protracted legal fights with Lee de Forest and David Sarnoff, two other early radio pioneers. The stress and expense of these lawsuits damaged his health and finances, contributed to the breakdown of his marriage, and led to his suicide in 1954. After his death, his widow, Marion, pursued the legal cases and won several successful suits and settlements.
Armstrong grew up in Chelsea, New York City, the eldest of three children. His father worked his way up to vice president at the American branch of Oxford University Press, which published bibles and classics. His mother’s family was active in their church, and the Armstrongs moved north with the congregation in 1895, from a brownstone on West 29th Street to one on West 97th Street. The family was comfortably middle class. At age eight, Armstrong contracted Sydenham’s chorea (St. Vitus’ Dance), a neurological disorder from rheumatic fever that left him with a lifelong physical tic, worsened by stress. He withdrew from public school, was home-tutored for two years, and the family moved to Yonkers for his health. The illness and missed school made him socially withdrawn.
From childhood, Armstrong was fascinated by electrical and mechanical devices, especially trains. He loved heights and built a backyard antenna tower with a bosun’s chair to hoist himself up, alarming neighbors. He did much of his early research in his parents’ attic. In 1909, he enrolled at Columbia University, joined the Theta Xi engineering fraternity, and studied under Profe
- born
- December 18, 1890, in Chelsea, New York City
- died
- February 1, 1954
- field
- Radio-frequency engineering
- nationality
- American
- known_for
- FM radio, superheterodyne receiver system
Lore & Background
Armstrong was born on December 18, 1890, in Chelsea, New York City, the eldest of three children. At age eight, he contracted Sydenham's chorea, which caused a physical tic and led to home tutoring. He showed early interest in electrical devices and built a backyard antenna tower. He enrolled at Columbia University in 1909, studied under Professor Michael Pupin, and graduated in 1913 with an electrical engineering degree. During World War I, he served in the Signal Corps, achieving the rank of major.
His first major invention, the regenerative circuit, was developed while an undergraduate. He applied for a patent in 1913, which was issued in 1914. Lee de Forest later filed competing claims, leading to prolonged legal battles. Armstrong also invented the superheterodyne receiver system. He set up a self-financed research laboratory at Columbia and owned his patents outright. In 1934, he became a professor of Electrical Engineering at Columbia, a position he held for life.
Armstrong's legal battles with de Forest and David Sarnoff took a toll on his health and finances, leading to a breakdown in his marriage and his suicide in 1954. His widow, Marion, pursued his estate's legal cases and won several successful suits and settlements.
Reader's Guide
Edwin Howard Armstrong's development of FM radio and the superheterodyne receiver system fundamentally transformed radio communication. FM radio provided static-free reception, while the superheterodyne design became the standard for nearly all radio receivers. Despite his technical achievements, Armstrong's career was marked by protracted legal disputes over patent priority, particularly with Lee de Forest and David Sarnoff. These conflicts drained his finances and health, culminating in his suicide. After his death, his widow successfully continued the legal battles, securing settlements that affirmed the value of his patents. Armstrong's legacy is recognized through his induction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame and the Wireless Hall of Fame, and his inclusion in the International Telecommunication Union's roster of great inventors. His work remains foundational to modern wireless communications.
Did You Know?
- Armstrong held 42 patents and received the first Medal of Honor awarded by the Institute of Radio Engineers.
- He served as a major in the U.S. Army Signal Corps during World War I.
- At age eight, he contracted Sydenham's chorea, which caused a lifelong physical tic.
- He was inducted into the Wireless Hall of Fame posthumously in 2001.
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