The Vidette-Messenger Centennial EditionThe 1936 special edition celebrating Porter County's centennial year . . . .
The following article has been transcribed from the August 18, 1936, issue of The Vidette-Messenger, published in Valparaiso, Indiana. This particular special edition focuses on Porter County's centennial celebration and contains a 94-page compendium of Porter County history up to that time.
Return to the index of articles from The Vidette-Messenger's Porter County Centennial special edition.
Source: The Vidette-Messenger, Valparaiso,
Porter County, Indiana; August 18, 1936; Volume 10, Section 4, Page 23.
VALPARAISO HAS WORLD-FAMOUS TELEGRAPH AND RADIO INSTITUTE FOUNDED IN '91 BY
GEO. M. DODGE
Dodge's
Telegraph and Radio Institute, founded by George A. Dodge, father of the present
president, Geo. M. Dodge, has thousands of graduates throughout the United
States and foreign countries.
George M. Dodge assumed active control of the institution in 1891, but before
that had served as a telegraph operator for the Pennsylvania railroad, and three
years prior to 1891, became the Valparaiso manager for the Western Union
Telegraph Company, serving in that capacity for more than forty years. At one
time the school was affiliated with the Valparaiso university.
The Dodge school has always taught Morse telegraphy and has enjoyed the
distinction of being the foremost Morse telegraph training school.
In December, 1909, a department of wireless instruction was added (the term
"radio" was unknown at that time), the growth of the radio (wireless) department
since then has been almost miraculous. A wireless station was installed by Paul
F. Godfrey, of Grand Rapids, Mich., the first in general use in this section of
the state.
A further program of expansion was inaugurated in January, 1934, after the
management had consummated an arrangement with Dr. J. B. Hershman to become the
director of all radio courses. At this time the course in marine radio was
materially strengthened and additional courses in Radio Engineering and Radio
servicing were added. The curriculum is now designed to meet the present day
need of the entire radio industry. To this end the school has been successful in
providing courses of instruction which have met with the approbation of all
students who have enrolled and a large number in the radio field holding
executive positions.
The school has been able to give these different courses of instruction, which
are both comprehensive and complete in a limited time. This is accomplished by
eliminating the unnecessary subjects and including only those that are essential
for a well trained engineer, service man, marine radio and Morse Telegrapher.
The local course of nine months is said to be equal to many three year courses
of other colleges.
The tremendous growth of radio broadcasting since its inauguration in 1921 has
caused an unusually heavy demand for radio experts in numerous fields, the
industry ranks as one of the most important in the world, employing tens of
thousands of men and women.
The school maintains a well-equipped laboratory in which the students themselves
may gain first hand information concerning the subject matter covered in their
text books. The laboratory courses are not designed to give routine manipulation
of specific types of apparatus, but to develop a student's ability to coordinate
both his mental activity and physical manipulation in the complete understanding
of radio fundamentals.
As part of the social life of the school the Dodge Institute Radio club
organized by licensed amateurs attending the school, has grown into a more
general organization for the membership of all students of the Radio department.
One room is set aside by the school completely equipped with a phone and
continuous wave transmitter and the necessary receivers, for the use of licensed
amateurs.
The school recently inaugurated a more extensive type writing course, which is
under the supervision of the secretary, Mrs. Edna W. Davis.
The Morse Telegraph and Railway Accounting courses are under the direction of C.
A. Harmon. Other members of the school faculty are Arthur W. Melloh, director
radio servicing and instructor of Radio Engineering, Wilbur H. Cummings,
director of Marine Radio, Chief Code instructor and Assistant instructor in
Radio Engineering, and Lloyd A. Stoerck, laboratory assistant and code
instructor.
Article transcribed by Steven R. Shook