This is the last opportunity to save a piece of Marconi history in the city that welcomes people to Chelmsford – the birth place of radio. Help us create a Marconi heritage and science hub in Hall St.
The development of radio and broadcasting is inextricably linked with Guglielmo Marconi and with the Company he founded. The Old Silk Mill in Hall Street, Chelmsford where he opened his first wireless telegraphy works in 1898, is the oldest and last building in the city with a direct link to Marconi that has not been converted for modern living or commercial use.This is the last opportunity to save part of this iconic building as a living legacy to Marconi’s achievements and stop it all being converted into apartments. Our aim is to purchase, or rent space in this building to create “Marconi’s Science WorX”, a dynamic, multi functional space where the inspirational history of Marconi’s pioneering work will be displayed and our young people can experiment, in a safe environment, with Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths, at regular STEM clubs. Space will also be made available for local groups to hire to provide a range of much needed community activities.
Guglielmo Marconi was only 18 when he began his earliest experiments at the family home in Bologna, Italy and only 24 when he opened his first factory in the UK. As a direct result of the wireless equipment made at Hall Street 700 people were rescued from the sinking Titanic in 1912. Marconi’s pioneering work encouraged others on to bigger and more intricate experiments which culminated in the BBC, radar, mobile phones, wifi for our computers and communication with satellites landing on asteroids. The modern world could not work without ‘wireless’ technology so we need to encourage many more young people to get enthused, as Marconi did, in the limitless possibilities of science, technology, and engineerin and how it can transform our lives for the better.To do this we need YOU to get involved in this project. Help us to create a vibrant heritage and science hub to celebrate Marconi’s achievements & equip our young people with the skills and knowledge to fill the current skills gap.