Crystal Clear: The Struggle for Reliable Communications Technology in World War II

Introduction: "We Were Heavily Armed and We Had Crystals" 1

1 From Wire to Wireless: The Development—and Acceptance—of Tactical Radio 5

2 Crystal Control—the Great Gamble 17

3 The Signal Corps Lays the Foundation 31

4 Nothing Else to Do but Grind Crystals 55

5 Riding the "Flat Wheel Limited"—Overseeing a Mass Production Industry 69

6 Supplying a Mass Production Industry—the Civilian Government Steps In 93

7 "The Whole Radio Crystal Program of the Armed Services Depends Upon the Success of the Procurement Program in Brazil. Nothing Must Be Allowed to Interfere With It" 117

8 "God Made Lots of Small Crystals" 129

9 The Aging Crisis—Stopgap Measures 145

10 The Aging Crisis—Physics to the Rescue! 153

11 "Without Crystals You Have Radio; With Them, Communications" 163

Appendix 1: Crystal-Controlled Equipment 175

Appendix 2: Crystal Manufacturers 179

References 183

Index 219