The Type 36 wireless telegraph machine, exhibited in the radio/wireless telegraph room on the deck of the Memorial Battleship "MIKASA", was registered as an important science and technology historical material (heritage of future technology) of the National Museum of Nature and Science following its designation as a modern industrial heritage in 2008.
This machine boasted the highest performance in the world at the time, and the reason for its registration is that it demonstrates the uniqueness of Japan's scientific and technological development on an international scale.
Following the Type 34 wireless telegraph, this was developed mainly by Navy engineer Kimura Shunkichi and played a significant role in the naval battle of the Japan Sea, including the first report of the discovery of the Baltic Fleet by the "SHINANO MARU" and reconnaissance reports by the cruiser "IZUMI", contributing to Japan's victory.
The Type 36 wireless telegraph displayed in MIKASA is a replica made by Mr. Juji Yamada, who received direct guidance from Shunkichi Kimura at the Yokosuka Naval Arsenal's Armament Department.
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The Type 36 radio telegraph sends and receives radio waves generated by spark discharge through an antenna and detects and prints them using a coherer detector with metal powder sealed in a glass tube. It was developed by Navy engineer Shunkichi Kimura and others without relying on the technology of the Marconi Company. Although it is not a complete reproduction, it is significant as evidence of Japan achieving high performance in radio telegraphy ahead of Europe.
