In radio engineering, who is credited with developing frequency-modulation (FM) broadcasting to reduce static and improve sound quality?

Introduction / Context:
Frequency-modulation (FM) broadcasting was a major improvement over amplitude-modulation (AM) because it greatly reduced static and electrical noise. This made radio listening, especially for music, much more pleasant and reliable. This question asks you to identify the radio engineer who developed FM broadcasting as a solution to AM's limitations, a common topic in both electronics and general knowledge exams.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The focus is specifically on FM broadcasting.
• The question emphasizes reducing static and improving sound quality.
• We must select the correct engineer from a list of famous inventors.
• We assume basic awareness of radio history and modulation techniques.

Concept / Approach:
Edwin Howard Armstrong studied the problems of AM radio, particularly its vulnerability to interference and static from lightning and electrical equipment. He developed wideband frequency-modulation, in which information is encoded by varying the frequency of the carrier wave instead of its amplitude. This approach is less sensitive to amplitude noise and therefore yields clearer audio. To answer, we must connect Armstrong's name with FM radio and distinguish him from inventors associated with other fields like electric lighting or telephony.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Communication engineering texts and general knowledge notes typically mention that Armstrong invented FM radio and demonstrated its superiority over AM. If you remember short revision lists for competitive exams, you will often see "Armstrong – FM radio" as a key point. Since none of the other options are associated with modern radio modulation methods, this strongly confirms that option A is correct.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Thomas Alva Edison invented the practical incandescent lamp and many other devices but did not develop FM broadcasting. Alexander Graham Bell focused on telephony and sound transmission over wires, not radio modulation. Galileo Galilei lived centuries before radio technologies were developed and is known for telescopic observations and classical mechanics. Therefore, these options do not match the specific achievement of inventing FM broadcasting.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes see many famous names and feel uncertain, leading them to pick someone whose inventions they know better, such as Edison or Bell. Another pitfall is to think that Marconi must be behind all radio innovations, even though FM came later. To avoid confusion, link AM radio and early wireless telegraphy with Marconi, but associate the "noise-free" FM broadcasting breakthrough with Edwin Howard Armstrong. This mental mapping helps you answer questions on radio history more confidently.

Final Answer:
The engineer credited with developing FM broadcasting is Edwin Howard Armstrong.