Guglielmo MarconiFrom a young age Marconi took a keen interest in physics and electrical science. His experiments in the attic of Villa Griffone near Bologna allowed Marconi to develop his ideas for sending wireless transmissions, initially over small distances of a couple of kilometres. In 1896 he was working in Britain where support and funds allowed him to develop his system. By 1899, Marconi was transmitting across the English Channel. On 12th December 1901 he succeeded in transmitting across the Atlantic from Poldu in Cornwall to St Johns, Newfoundland, although it wasn't until 1907 that the technology was reliable.
In 1909 Marconi was jointly awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics with Karl Ferdinand Braun "in recognition of their contributions to the development of wireless telegraphy". In 1914 Marconi was commissioned in the Italian Army as a Lieutenant being later promoted to Captain, and in 1916 transferred to the Navy in the rank of Commander. Following the Great War Marconi returned to England and perfected his system for long distances. In later life he returned to Italy and moved to Rome in 1935 where he would live for the rest of his life. Marconi died on 20th July 1937, aged 63.