Marconi did not actually invent the radio - he was just the first one to get an English patent for it. In 1899 San Franciscans repeated his experiments broadcasting the first message on the West Coast and the first ship-to-shore broadcast in the United States. In 1934 Marconi accepted an honorari SF citizenship as a gift for his 60th birthday. At the time approximately 10% of the city's population were first- or second-generation Italian-Americans. That is why the Marconi Memorial Foundation (not to be confused with the present-day Marconi Society) chose to build two memorials - one in Washington and one in San Francisco. The cost, $65K in 1938 dollars1Approximately $1.5MM today, is explained by the gilded statue on top of the memorial in Washington DC. The Latin phrase on this memorial means "Outstripping the lightning the voice races through the empty sky". Cross the street for a great view. 1Approximately $1.5MM todayApproximately $1.5MM today
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