Page 17 - Lambert Wackers
P. 17

The	book	is	worth	reading;	it	describes	the	company's	progression	from	simple	radio-
                signal	devices	to	shortwave	worldwide	expansion,	directional	signaling,	the	incorporation
                of	radar,	transistors,	and	electronic	navigation	devices	on	fishing	ships	and	coasters	(Decca
                and	Loran),	and	since	the	1980's	satellites.	Anno	2022	Radio	Holland	Group,	BV	offers
                telecommunication,	satellite	communication,	navigation	equipment,	and	e-navigation.

                I	can	imagine	it	must	have	been	very	exciting	for	an	engineer	like	Lambert	to	be	involved
                with	and	manage	new	and	rapidly	evolving	technology.	Not	only	that,	but	also	exploring
                new	practical	applications.
                I	am	sure	he	understood	that	novel	technology	might	reach	a	dead	end.	One	should	be
                prepared	to	adjust	to	better	and	different	technical	advances	as	long	as	it	served	the
                greater	goal	of	improved	telecommunication.

                In	1930,	Lambert	Wackers	stepped	down	as	Director	of	Radio	Holland.	I	did	not	find
                anything	about	Lambert's	life	during	retirement.	No	interviews	with	him,	no	stories	about
                the	early	days	of	Radio	Holland.	It	is	as	if	Lambert	disappeared.
                His	wife	Catharine	passed	away	in	1933.	Their	daughter	Dr.	Maria	Louise	Wackers	(1905-
                2003),	had	a	doctorate	in	organic	chemistry;	she	remained	unmarried.	I	found	no	further
                information	about	the	daughter	either.

                At	this	point,	I	have	become	very	frustrated.	I	had	hoped	to	discover	more	about	the	person
                of	Lambert	Wackers.	Thus	far,	the	only	information	I	collected	was	about	his	career	and
                professional	accomplishments,	but	all	that	was	relatively	impersonal.

                There	is	a	portrait	of	Lambert	Wackers	in	the	headquarters	of	Radio	Holland	in	Rotterdam.
                The	picture	probably	was	painted	at	the	time	of	his	retirement.




























                The	portrait	shows	a	gentleman	seated	in	a	chair.	He	is	probably	in	his	sixties	but	in	good
                physical	shape,	with	grey-white	hair.	He	looks	relaxed.	I	find	his	face	striking;	an	intelligent





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