Tom P. Morgan wasn’t Radio’s biggest fan. In April, 1922, he wrote an article called “A Wireless Warning” in which he hypothesized the radio was slowing being used to keep workers in line and never far from the demands of his boss.
“Policemen in Chicago are equipped with small wireless receiving sets. The antenna is sewn into the officer's coat…On one arm is clasped a disk or concussor of about the size of an ordinary wrist watch…WHEN the chief wishes to convey a message to the officer on any particular beat he pushes a switch. The disk on the policeman, wrist thumps responsively. The officer immediately takes from his pocket a small receiver, places it to his ear and is given the message. No doubt in a reasonably short time a somewhat similar device will be perfected for use on the average hired man.”
Morgan went on to say: “I have here prognosticated the one thing to do is not to abolish the wireless telephone in its infancy, but to enact laws immediately that will make sure it does not become a menace when it grows up.”
(*For more, see: United States Early Radio History by Thomas H White)
