Irving "Al" Gross was a pioneer in mobile wireless communication. He created and patented many communications devices, specifically in relation to an early version of the walkie-talkie, Citizens' Band radio, the telephone pager and the cordless telephone.
Photographed by Leo Sorel
FCC amateur radio license of Al Gross
A walkie-talkie, more formally known as a handheld transceiver (HT), is a hand-held, portable, two-way radio transceiver. Its development during the Second World War has been variously credited to Donald Hings, radio engineer Alfred J. Gross, Henryk Magnuski and engineering teams at Motorola. First used for infantry, similar designs were created for field artillery and tank units, and after the war, walkie-talkies spread to public safety and eventually commercial and jobsite work.
Recreational, toy and amateur radio walkie-talkies
Assorted two-way FRS and GMRS walkie talkies with hand mic
Noemfoor, Dutch New Guinea, July 1944. A US soldier (foreground) uses a Handie-Talkie during the Battle of Noemfoor.
A modern Project 25 capable professional walkie-talkie