The world at the turn of the 20th century was utterly in the throes of MarconimaniaÓ -- brought on by an incredible invention that no one could quite explain. And at the center of it all was an eccentric figure -- Guglielmo Marconi. In 1896 he rigged up a device to transmit messages through the ether.Ó Many of those at the first public demonstration thought they were witnessing a con man's trick. Yet Marconi's magic box would come to be regarded as the most remarkable invention of the 19th cent. For this was nothing less than the birth of the radio. A rich portrait of the man & his time -- & a captivating tale of science & scientists, business & businessmen, & of Marconi himself: a character par excellence, a complicated & celebrated genius.Ó Photos.