In the development of radio detection and ranging technology, which scientists carried out key early experiments that led to the invention of radar?

Introduction / Context:

Radar, an acronym for radio detection and ranging, is a technology that uses radio waves to detect objects and measure their distance and speed. Its development involved several scientists in different countries. This question focuses on early experimental work that showed how radio waves could be reflected by distant objects, an essential step in the invention of radar systems used in navigation and defense.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The subject is the invention and early development of radar technology.
• The question asks which scientists conducted key early experiments in this area.
• The options include different names, only one of which is a recognised pair of radar researchers.
• You should connect experimental work on radio reflections with the correct scientists.

Concept / Approach:

A. H. Taylor and Leo C. Young, working for the United States Navy in the 1920s and 1930s, performed important experiments showing that radio waves could be reflected from ships and aircraft. Their work demonstrated that interference in radio signals could indicate the presence of a large object, which became a foundation for radar systems. Later, other scientists and engineers developed practical radar sets, but the early experimental proof of concept is strongly associated with Taylor and Young. The other names in the options are either unrelated to radar or associated with completely different inventions.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Technical histories of radar development describe how Taylor and Young observed that radio signals from ship borne transmitters were disturbed when ships or aircraft passed through the beam. They then deliberately used this effect to detect targets. Although radar later evolved through the work of many engineers and different countries, this early demonstration is consistently credited to them in naval and electronics history references.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Fred Morrison is associated with inventing a popular flying disc toy, not with radar.

Van Tassel is not widely recorded in standard radar histories as the primary experimenter for early radar principles.

W. K. Roentgen refers to Wilhelm Roentgen, who discovered X rays and worked in physics, but not on radar.

Guglielmo Marconi contributed to wireless telegraphy and radio communication, which are related technologies, but he is not the specific answer for this pair based question on early radar experiments.

Common Pitfalls:

Students often know Marconi for radio and Roentgen for X rays, so they may guess one of these names when they see the word radio. However, this question is more specific and expects knowledge of the engineers who performed early radar reflection experiments. Remembering that Taylor and Young worked together for the United States Navy on radio reflection effects helps you avoid confusion with more famous but less specific names.

Final Answer:

Key early radar experiments were carried out by A. H. Taylor and Leo C. Young.