[1888 – 1946]

Baird was a man who is still acknowledged for his contribution in developing television. He gave his life for television. But, he was one person who even after half a century of his death, is shrouded with many unanswered questions. Was Baird experimenting with radar before World War II ? Was he involved in secret signaling during World War II ? Was he in the military services during World War II ? Why was Baird visited by the Air Ministry and Admiralty personnel ? Why did he deny to move to the USA, when he desperately wanted to, at some point of his life ?

Few investigators have attempted to unravel the mystery. However, a clear picture does not emerge.

Dr. Peter Waddell, a mechanical engineer at Glasgow University of Strathclyde, organized an exhibition at the University, in January 1976 on the 50^th anniversary of the first public demonstration of television. The success of the exhibition made Dr. Waddell interested in Baird’s work. He wrote his first biography with journalist Tom McArthur that probes for some of the answers. He has found few files of official correspondence from 1920s and 1930s, which describes the visit of Air Ministry and Admiralty personnel to Baird’s Lab. Few other evidences also acknowledge this fact. An updated sequel, Vision Warrior to the book written by the same duo states that the few surviving employees of the Baird company in their late 30s had been skeptical about the extent of Baird’s involvement in radar. This also aroused much controversy. There are evidences that indicate his joining the military. 

Though Baird was not accepted during World War I, he was seen dressed in khaki during World War II. A letter written by one James Heath to Henlensburgh Library, states that he saw Baird in 1928 or 1929, dressed as "…a Lieutenant in the Supplementary Reserve of officers…[and he] was conducting experiments in several types of army field communications and new systems."

Heath suggests that these new systems involved "…an invention to send pictures through the atmosphere." It suggests that Baird was involved in secret signaling. After unfolding the various facts journalists started raising questions. At last, in 1984, the British Ministry of Defence issued a terse statement that they were unable to comment because "much of [Baird’s] work is still classified."

There is another reason that gives an idea that Baird might have been involved in secret signaling during World War II. John Logie Baird had visited the USA to have a joint venture with Donald Flamn, but nothing worth a collaboration or venture ‘happened’. At the outbreak of World War II, the same Baird denied the invitation to work in the USA. This refusal might be because of his involvement in secret work. He was also paid £ 1,000 per year from Cable and Wireless Co. of the Crown Corporation, which controlled all official communications in Britain. The works for which the fees were paid is still not known. It is believed that he used the television methods for high speed coded signaling. Research is still on to know as to what was Baird up to, during that period.