The Bat, First Inventor of Radar

The science editor of the New York Times writes that the secret of how the bat flies by night without danger of striking walls and ceilings in pitch darkness — this secret remained a subject of scientific inquiry for decades. But it was established four years ago that Dr. Galambos, one of the professors of Harvard University, determined, after long and careful investigation, that the bat sends out a powerful note which is reflected by the wall or ceiling toward which the bird is heading; it hears the echo and avoids it.

On this very principle radar was made. (Radar is a radio apparatus that sends out an electric wave; if the wave strikes an airplane in the air, it returns at once, reflected from it, and is picked up by a receiving radio set placed beside the transmitting apparatus.

The operator reckons the time that has passed between transmission and reception, and thus knows the position of the airplane coming toward him. By this means the Allies used to learn the positions of enemy aircraft by night, and prepare to resist them before their arrival.)