INVESTIGATIONS CONCERNING THE INFLUENCE OF SHORT ELECTRICAL WAVES ON THE GROWTH OF BACTERIA
Dr. W. Haase, Dr. E. Schliephake · 1931
Scientists were documenting biological effects of radio waves in 1931, nearly a century before smartphones.
Plain English Summary
This 1931 German research by W. Haase investigated how short electrical waves (radio frequency radiation) affected bacterial growth in laboratory conditions. The study represents one of the earliest scientific investigations into biological effects of electromagnetic radiation. This pioneering work helped establish the foundation for understanding how RF energy interacts with living organisms.
Why This Matters
What makes this 1931 study remarkable is its timing. Haase was investigating biological effects of radio frequency radiation just as commercial radio broadcasting was expanding worldwide. This research predates our modern wireless world by decades, yet it recognized that electromagnetic fields could influence living systems at the cellular level. The science demonstrates that concerns about EMF bioeffects aren't new or driven by modern technology fears. Researchers were documenting biological responses to RF radiation when most homes didn't even have electric appliances. Put simply, this early work established that electromagnetic fields don't just pass harmlessly through biological tissue. The reality is that nearly a century of research has built upon these foundational observations, yet we continue to deploy new wireless technologies without adequate safety testing.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Show BibTeX
@article{investigations_concerning_the_influence_of_short_electrical_waves_on_the_growth__g3600,
author = {Dr. W. Haase and Dr. E. Schliephake},
title = {INVESTIGATIONS CONCERNING THE INFLUENCE OF SHORT ELECTRICAL WAVES ON THE GROWTH OF BACTERIA},
year = {1931},
}