History Daily The Birth of Radar
Feb 26, 2026
A 1935 field test that first detected aircraft with reflected radio waves and sparked a race to build coastal radar stations. The story follows skeptical military leaders, conditional funding, and the rapid construction of the Chain Home network. It highlights how radar was integrated into a central defense system and how that technology helped Britain fend off large aerial attacks as war began.
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Field Test That Proved Radar Worked
- Robert Watson Watt and colleague Skip Wilkins converted a delivery van into a mobile radio receiver and set up four wooden poles to test radio wave reflections.
- Their crude field test on February 26, 1935 detected an RAF plane eight miles away, proving radio can locate aircraft and sparking official interest.
Funding Only After A Real Demonstration
- Air Marshal Hugh Dowding required a real-world demonstration before committing funding, pushing scientists to build an operational prototype quickly.
- Dowding's conditional funding forced pragmatic design choices and led to a working radar station using existing tech.
Chain Home Network Emerges By 1938
- Scientists built an east-coast radar station and expanded into a linked network using 100-foot towers to keep costs low by reusing existing components.
- By 1938 the sites formed Chain Home, covering southern Britain and approaches to London.