Details

Magnetron type E.1189.no.1, mounted on wooden display, with explantory plaque beneath. Plaque reads: 'Magnetron Type E.1189. No.1. The original 10KW pulsed magnetron for 10 centimetres wavelength. This valve was the prototype of those used by the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. It operated for the first time on the 29th June 1940. GEC Research Laboratory Wembley.' For further information about this object please see UK0108 NAEST 163/II/G/PR/017 (photocopy of press cutting from the Electric Times including photographs of the presentation of the magnetron to the IEE). [Note: During WWII, the invention of the cavity magnetron provided the Allies with the short-wave portable radar that was needed in order to locate surfaced U-boats in any weather, day or night. Work on the magnetron was undertaken by a team lead by Marcus Oliphant, aided by John Randell and Harry Boot amongst others, building on Heinrich Hertz's work on radio waves. Other material related to the cavity magnetron can be found in the papers of Harry Boot - NAEST 61].