Welcome to The San Jose Newsletter!

In today’s edition:

• Latest funding round gives Waymo $45B valuation.

• Upcoming San Jose Barracuda match

• A deep-dive into the life of Charles Herrold

• And more…

Quote of the Week

"If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door."

— Milton Berle

Trivia

Here is your trivia question of the week. The answer will be shown in next week’s newsletter. Which do you think it is? No cheating!

Which body of water borders San Jose, offering recreational activities and wildlife viewing?

A) San Francisco Bay

B) Guadalupe River

C) Coyote Creek

D) Lexington Reservoir

Answer to Week 8's Trivia:

San Jose's Santana Row is best known for C) Upscale shopping, dining, and entertainment.

News

💼 Business

Battery manufacturer avoids NYSE delisting. (Link)

Latest funding round gives Waymo $45B valuation. (Link)

🏒 Sports

Warriors' Steve Kerr jokes beating Celtics will make America great again. (Link)

SF Giants' Buster Posey turns Will Clark's profanity-laced tirade into reality. (Link)

🏦 Finance

Major law firm adds Palo Alto location. (Link)

Upcoming Events

Here are some events that are happening in our city this week. There is a good mix between sports, entertainment, conferences, concerts, and more.

Sports

🏀 San Francisco State Gators at San Jose State Spartans Women's Basketball
Provident Credit Union Event Center, San Jose
Tuesday, Nov. 12th | (More info)

🏒 San Diego Gulls at San Jose Barracuda
Tech CU Arena, San Jose
Wednesday, Nov. 13th | (More info)

Concerts

🎶 Caifanes
San Jose Civic, San Jose
Wednesday, Nov. 13th | (More info)

🎶 Pancho Barraza
SAP Center at San Jose, San Jose
Saturday, Nov. 16th | (More info)

Family

🏃‍♂️ Kindness is Free 1M 5K 10K 13.1 26.2
San Jose
Saturday, Nov. 16th | (More info)

Image of the Week

Every week, I have a habit of making some AI art about our city.

This week, I typed in “San Jose with architecture inspired by different planets” and this is what I got.

Let me know what ideas you have for this. I really enjoy making these types of photos.

San Jose Historical Events

Electric Light Tower Construction (1881) - An attempt to light downtown San Jose with one of the world’s first electric-light towers.

In 1881, the city of San Jose, California, embarked on a groundbreaking project to illuminate its downtown area using one of the world's first electric-light towers, a venture that promised to transform the nighttime landscape of the city. This bold initiative was not just a leap into the future of urban lighting but also a reflection of the innovative spirit of the era. The 237-foot tall tower, conceived by J.J. Owen, a local newspaper editor, was designed to cast a powerful glow over the city center, using a series of powerful arc lights. Its construction was a symbol of progress and a testament to the ambition of San Jose’s citizens, positioning the city at the forefront of the electric lighting revolution.

The construction of the Electric Light Tower required an unprecedented collaboration between engineers, city officials, and residents, who were intrigued and inspired by the potential of electric light. The structure was built using iron and steel, materials chosen for their strength and durability, in an open framework design that allowed the light to radiate outwards. The tower's high elevation was strategically selected to maximize the area of illumination, with the intention of lighting over an acre of the downtown area. Despite its innovative design, the tower faced several technical challenges, including difficulties with the stability of the structure and the reliability of the early electric arc lights.

In many ways, the Electric Light Tower of San Jose marked a significant milestone in urban development, showcasing the potential of electric lighting to extend the activities of city life into the night. Although the tower itself stood for only a few years before being damaged in a windstorm, its legacy lived on. It inspired similar projects in other cities and contributed to the rapid adoption of electric street lighting across the United States. Today, the tower is remembered not only as an ambitious attempt to revolutionize urban lighting but also as a symbol of San Jose's history of innovation and a precursor to the modern, illuminated cityscape we take for granted.

Famous People From San Jose

Charles Herrold (1875–1948) - Inventor and pioneer in radio broadcasting, started the first radio station in San Jose.

Charles Herrold was born in Fulton, Illinois, in 1875. From a young age, he demonstrated a profound interest in science and mechanics, which guided his educational path. He pursued these interests at Stanford University, where he studied engineering. Herrold's dedication to understanding how things worked laid the foundation for his future contributions to the world of radio broadcasting.

Innovation in Wireless Communication (1900-1910)

After completing his studies, Herrold ventured into the world of inventing, focusing his efforts on wireless communication. In a time when radio technology was still in its infancy, he saw the potential for voice transmission over the airwaves. By 1909, Herrold achieved a significant breakthrough, successfully conducting one of the first known transmissions of human speech without wires.

The Birth of Radio in San Jose (1910-1920)

Herrold's connection to San Jose became pivotal in the history of radio broadcasting. In 1909, he established the Herrold College of Wireless and Engineering in San Jose, California. This institution not only served as a school but also as the birthplace of the first radio station, which Herrold started in 1912. Known initially by various call signs and later as KQW, this station went on to become KCBS in San Francisco, marking it as one of the oldest continuously operating radio stations in the United States.

Overcoming Challenges: World War I and Aftermath (1917-1925)

During World War I, radio technology saw significant advancements due to its military applications. However, the war also brought challenges for Herrold. The U.S. government took control of all radio operations, temporarily halting civilian broadcasting. Despite this setback, Herrold persisted in his endeavors. After the war, he resumed his broadcasting activities and continued to innovate, solidifying his place in the history of radio.

Pioneering Broadcasting Techniques (1920s)

The 1920s were a time of rapid growth and innovation in radio technology, and Herrold was at the forefront of this evolution. He experimented with various broadcasting techniques, including the use of amplitude modulation (AM) for clearer transmission of speech and music. Herrold's experiments contributed significantly to the development of the broadcast standards that would shape the future of radio.

Expanding the Reach of Radio (1930-1935)

In the early 1930s, Herrold continued his work in radio, focusing on ways to expand its reach and accessibility. He was instrumental in the development of new broadcasting equipment and techniques that allowed for more powerful transmissions. This period marked a significant expansion of radio as a medium for entertainment, news, and education, reaching an ever-growing audience.

Later Years and Legacy (1935-1948)

In his later years, Charles Herrold continued to advocate for the power of radio to educate and inform the public. Though his contributions began to be overshadowed by newer technologies and other pioneers in the field, his foundational work in the development of radio broadcasting remained undeniable. Herrold passed away in 1948, leaving behind a legacy that would inspire future generations of broadcasters and engineers.

Charles Herrold’s Key Achievements:

• Founded the Herrold College of Wireless and Engineering in San Jose, a cradle for radio innovation.

• Started the first radio station, a direct ancestor to today's KCBS in San Francisco.

• Made significant contributions to the development of AM broadcasting, paving the way for modern radio.

• Pioneered the use of educational and entertainment programming in radio broadcasting.

Charles Herrold's journey from a curious inventor to the father of radio broadcasting demonstrates the power of innovation and perseverance. Despite facing numerous challenges, including governmental restrictions during World War I, Herrold's vision for radio communication broke new ground in technology and broadcasting. His foundational work in San Jose not only birthed one of the first radio stations but also laid the groundwork for the widespread use of radio as a medium for information, entertainment, and connection. Herrold's legacy as a pioneer in the field of radio broadcasting endures, highlighting his contributions to transforming the ways in which we communicate and consume media.

Connect With Me

If you want to connect, reply to this email and let me know what you think.

I would love to hear from you. Don’t be shy.

-Yannick Lyons

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