where 'HAM' came from

[van lincoln wd8aam]

Thought this was interesting, and that others might like to
know as well.  73  wd8aam

Ham Radio in the Beginning
At Harvard University in 1908, their first amateur radio station was
operated by Albert Hyman, Poogie Murray, and Bob Almy.  Their radio station
was called Hyman\Almy\Murray. CW in this long call sign soon become irksome
and they changed it to IlY/AL/MU.  Unfortunately, there was a Mexican ship
that bore the name ILYALMU. This was before the days of the FCC and
regulations and they decided to use their initials which were formed into
"HAM."

Radio Signals from some of the amateurs often exceeded the commercial
stations in strength and this came to the attention of Congress by the
Commercial Stations who insisted on legislation to diminish the amateur
radio activity.  Albert Hyman based his thesis topic at Harvard on the
subject of wireless communication.  His instructor was so impressed that he
sent a copy of Hyman's thesis to Senator David I. Walsh who was working on
the bill for Commercial Stations.  Senator Walsh was also so impressed with
the thesis that he invited Hyman to testify in Washington.

Hyman, with his testimony to the commissioners, was able to explain to them
how the regulations and resulting costs could make the amateurs unable to
continue.  By the time the bill reached the floor for debate, Hyman, Murray
& Almy's Harvard station "HAM" had become the symbol of all the small
amateur stations begging to be saved from the greed of the commercial
stations.  Thus, in 1911 the "HAMS" were freed from the cost of using the
air to operate their stations.

The Congressional Record lists it all!

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