World War I—Radio Telegraphic Signaling Course

In 1917 UT was asked by the US War Department to provide a special course in radio telegraphic signaling. The course began in 1918, using four wireless signaling stations and other equipment provided by the War Department and placed in West College. The type of signaling taught was the tonal method, which was designed to prevent the reading of messages by enemy wireless stations. The army and the navy used different tonal codes. Professors Charles Perkins and James Porter provided the instruction. B. O. Adkison also taught a radio class in Estabrook Hall, using a radio set furnished by the government in which both UT students and townsmen were enrolled.