Wireless Merit Badge History
Introduced1919
Preceded byNone
StatusDiscontinued 1923
Replaced withRadio
Earned through 1922723
Best year1921248 earned
All-time popularity#224official, as of 2020#228by 2025 (estimate)
The Story
Wireless was added in 1919. To earn it, a Scout sent and received Morse code at ten words a minute, named the minerals used in crystal detectors, drew diagrams of spark transmitters, receiving sets and aerials, and wrote a short essay on the development of wireless telegraphy.
Only 723 Wireless merit badges were earned in the four years with counts, which makes it one of the least-earned merit badges of all time. In 1923 the Radio merit badge took its place.
1922 requirements
- Be able to receive and send correctly not less than ten words a minute.
- Know the correct form for sending a message.
- Be able to tell in own words the principal laws regarding radio communication.
- Know at least ten of the radiogram abbreviations. (Q signals)
- (a) Be able to name two types of detectors and explain how they work. (b) Name five minerals used in detectors in the order of their sensitiveness.
- Draw a diagram of a simple transmitting set, showing how the following instruments are connected: dynamo or storage battery (source of power), transformer, condenser, spark gap, helix, key. Explain the function of each.
- Draw a simple diagram showing how to connect the following instruments; tuning coil or loose coupler, detector, fixed or variable condensers, phones and ground. Tell the use of the above apparatus.
- Draw a diagram of three different types of aerials and tell their advantages or faults.
- (a) Know how properly to ground a radio set and know what precautions to take during a thunder shower. (b) Demonstrate how to rescue a person in contact with a live wire, and have a knowledge of the method of resuscitation of a person insensible from shock.
- Write a brief essay on development of wireless telegraphy.
Source: Boy Scouts of America (1922)
Timeline
1919 The Wireless merit badge is introduced. The first Wireless merit badges are earned: 100 that year.
1920 The earliest known Wireless pamphlet printing (Type 1C). Best ranking: 42nd of 59 merit badges.
1921 All-time high: 248 Wireless merit badges earned.
1923 Last year the Wireless merit badge is offered; it is replaced by Radio.
Merit Badge Patches
Select a patch to enlarge it; many include the back.
- Type A1919 - 1923variations
What do the patch types mean?
- Type A
- Square (1911 - 1933). Embroidered on tan cloth and cut into squares. The Scout folded the edges under when sewing it on.
Dates are approximate and can vary by badge.
Merit Badge Pamphlets
The printings come from Scoutmaster Bucky's own collection and research.
Select a cover to see its back covers and every known printing.
3 printings:1 in collection2 confirmed, not in collection
Type 1C 19201 back · 1 printing · 0 in collection
No photo
back not recorded1920
- 1920hb 20th edition reference
In collectionConfirmed, not in collectionUnconfirmed: not yet seen, may not existM = thousand copies, as printed on the pamphlet.
Type 2 1920 - 19231 back · 2 printings · 1 in collection
No photo
back not recorded1920 - 1923
- 192020c Wireless
- 192320c Wireless
In collectionConfirmed, not in collectionUnconfirmed: not yet seen, may not existM = thousand copies, as printed on the pamphlet.
Earned by Year
First earned in 1919. Peak year 1921 with 248. Hover over or tap a year for its numbers.
"#50 of 61" means the badge was number 50 of the 61 merit badges earned that year. The 2025 all-time place is an estimate, because the counts for 2021 to 2025 are worked out from each year's official ranking and the total number of merit badges earned that year.
1919100#51 of 59
1920132#42 of 59
1921248#48 of 61
1922243#50 of 61
Grand total through 1922: