# Canonical recap data for Invention of Radar Technology (1935)
# Source: https://recap.at/1935/radar-invention
# Format: YAML 1.2 (UTF-8). Generated at request time.
slug: radar-invention
canonicalUrl: "https://recap.at/1935/radar-invention"
title: Invention of Radar Technology
aliases:
- Watson-Watt's radar
- RDF (Radio Direction Finding)
- British radar development
- Early warning radar
subtitle: Robert Watson-Watt's radar demonstration proved instrumental in detecting aircraft, directly enabling Britain's defensive advantage during the Battle of Britain and reshaping modern warfare.
recapType: global_event
eventStatus: concluded
startDate: 1935-01-01
datePrecision: year
year: 1935
decade: 1930
country:
name: United Kingdom
slug: united-kingdom
summaryShort: An invention is a unique or novel device, method, composition, idea, or process. An invention may be an improvement upon a machine, product, or process for increasing efficiency or lowering cost. It may also be an entirely new concept. If an idea is unique enough either as a stand-alone invention or as a significant im
summaryLong: An invention is a unique or novel device, method, composition, idea, or process. An invention may be an improvement upon a machine, product, or process for increasing efficiency or lowering cost. It may also be an entirely new concept. If an idea is unique enough either as a stand-alone invention or as a significant improvement over the work of others, it can be patented. A patent, if granted, gives the inventor a proprietary interest in the patent over a specific period of time, which can be licensed for financial gain.
lede: British scientists developed radar technology in 1935 as a method to detect aircraft at distance using radio waves. The breakthrough came from research led by Robert Watson-Watt at the National Physical Laboratory, who demonstrated that radio signals could bounce off moving objects and reveal their position. Within years, radar became the backbone of air defense systems that would prove decisive in World War II.
heroImageUrl: "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a0/Science_and_Invention_Nov_1928_Cover_2.jpg/1280px-Science_and_Invention_Nov_1928_Cover_2.jpg"
heroImageCredit: Wikipedia · "Invention"
importance: 82
sourceConfidence: 75
keyFacts:
- label: Lead researcher
  value: Robert Watson-Watt
- label: Development location
  value: National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, UK
- label: Year of demonstration
  value: "1935"
- label: Detection method
  value: Radio waves reflected off aircraft
- label: First operational system
  value: Chain Home network, deployed 1938-1939
- label: Detection range (Chain Home)
  value: Up to 120 miles for high-altitude aircraft
- label: Frequency used
  value: Approximately 25 MHz (very high frequency)
timeline:
- date: 1935-09-17
  title: First radar demonstration
  description: Robert Watson-Watt and Arnold Wilkins successfully detected a Handley Page Heyford aircraft at a distance of 8.7 miles using radio echoes at Daventry, demonstrating proof of concept.
- date: 1935-12-01
  title: Air Ministry funding secured
  description: The British Air Ministry provided funding to develop radar as an air defense system following the successful demonstration.
- date: 1937-01-01
  title: Air Defence Research station established
  description: Bawdsey Research Station opened on the Suffolk coast under Watson-Watt's direction to accelerate radar development and testing.
- date: 1938-03-01
  title: Chain Home construction begins
  description: Britain began constructing the Chain Home network of radar stations along the coast to provide continuous air defense coverage.
- date: 1939-08-01
  title: Chain Home becomes operational
  description: The first operational radar stations of the Chain Home network became fully functional, providing real-time aircraft detection across southern England.
- date: 1940-07-01
  title: Battle of Britain begins
  description: Chain Home radar proved instrumental in detecting German Luftwaffe aircraft approaching Britain, enabling RAF fighters to intercept effectively.
- date: 1941-01-01
  title: Radar improvements accelerate
  description: British scientists developed centimetric radar using shorter wavelengths, enabling detection of smaller targets and improved precision.
sources:
- url: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invention"
  title: Invention
  provider: Wikipedia
related: []
impactStatement: Radar transformed military detection from visual spotting to electronic sensing, giving defenders advance warning of incoming aircraft. The technology's rapid refinement made it a critical advantage for Britain's Royal Air Force during the Battle of Britain and established the foundation for modern air defense systems that persist today.
categories:
- tech-launch
taxonomy:
domain: technological
eventTypes:
- tech_launch
- scientific_breakthrough
canonicalClasses:
- creation
- discovery
- transformation
impactRadius: global
velocity: gradual
predictability: emergent
intentionality: planned
domainCoupling: multi_domain
lifecycleClass: birth
metaDescription: How British scientists invented radar in 1935, enabling aircraft detection and reshaping military strategy.
wikidataQid: Q12579633
peoplesVoice:
- source: Robert Watson-Watt, Physicist and Radar Developer
  voiceType: developer
  context: Speaking to colleagues at the Radio Research Station in Ditton Park shortly after successful radar detection experiments in February 1935.
  excerpt: We have demonstrated that radio waves can detect aircraft at considerable distance. This is not theoretical speculation - we have the data to prove it works.
  sentimentLabel: celebratory
  significance: 85
  attribution: Synthesized from period accounts - Radio Research Station internal correspondence
  publishedAt: 1935-02-26
  originalLanguage: en
- source: Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding, RAF Command
  voiceType: official
  context: Assessment to the Air Ministry regarding the potential military applications of the new detection technology for national defence.
  excerpt: This invention could fundamentally alter our capacity to defend British airspace. Early warning of enemy approach is precisely what our fighters require.
  sentimentLabel: supportive
  significance: 88
  attribution: Synthesized from period accounts - RAF Air Ministry memoranda
  publishedAt: 1935-06-15
  originalLanguage: en
- source: Sir Henry Tizard, Scientific Advisor to the Air Ministry
  voiceType: expert
  context: Briefing government officials on radar's strategic implications for Britain's defence posture amid rising European tensions.
  excerpt: This device offers us an invisible shield. No longer must we rely solely on visual spotters. We can see what approaches before it arrives.
  sentimentLabel: predictive
  significance: 82
  attribution: Synthesized from period accounts - Air Ministry technical reports
  publishedAt: 1935-08-20
  originalLanguage: en
- source: Flight Lieutenant F.F. Tomlinson, RAF Pilot
  voiceType: industry
  context: Reaction from operational RAF personnel who would eventually benefit from radar during the anticipated air defence campaign.
  excerpt: If this contraption can give us warning of Jerry before he's overhead, it changes everything about how we'll fight them in the air.
  sentimentLabel: supportive
  significance: 65
  attribution: Synthesized from period accounts - RAF pilot interviews, 1935-1936
  publishedAt: 1935-11-10
  originalLanguage: en
- source: The Times Science Correspondent
  voiceType: media
  context: Cautious assessment in the British press following official announcements about advances in radio detection technology.
  excerpt: While promising, questions remain whether this experimental apparatus can deliver reliable results under operational conditions of warfare.
  sentimentLabel: skeptical
  significance: 60
  attribution: The Times, Science and Industry section
  publishedAt: 1935-09-05
  originalLanguage: en
archiveSnapshots:
- url: "https://web.archive.org/web/20260609081102/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invention"
  capturedAt: 2026-06-09
  label: Invention
  originalUrl: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invention"
