To hopefully capture a very noteworthy attribute in communications history, I found a brief note in a January 1920 magazine called "The Wireless Age". On page 9 of this magazine, it listed something that appeared to be very important to history and if it can be validated should be recognized in our own industry during this month, as Black History Month. I did send an email over to the publications folks of PSC to see if it was something that they would like to fund for a little bit more research over, and have not hear anything as of today. So, letting this month pass by without mentioning it would be wrong. I am not sure if there is more out there or not, of if someone has more information to share about this or knows of someone else that should receive similar credit for this achievement.
This article describes the following noteworthy milestone:
Perry Van Derzee, Topeka, will sail for overseas services as a wireless operator, according to the word received in Topeka by his father. Perry Van Derzee is thought to be the only (Black) wireless operator holding a United States Government radio license. He is a graduate of three wireless schools.
In this technical standard publication of this time, an online copy of this information can be found here:
http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Wireless-Age/Wireless-Age-1920-01.pdf
Just thought I would mention it and see if anyone else thought it might be worth salvaging a bit of history like this. I have not been able to find anything else out about Mr. Van Derzee.
>Mark Schroeder, AZ APCO Senior Member<