We almost did not have Mr. Thronley to post on this webpage. In 1903, as a young boy, he was run down by a sleigh. It resulted the chief of police issuing a manafesto that the thoroughfare will not be used as a speeday.
Pawtucket Times January 30, 1907
Pawtucket Times February 1, 1907
Thornley was born in 1903. He married Ina and they had 2 daughters, Nancy and Suzanne. 1 As early as 1915, he was learning Continental Morse Code and the infant science of radio as well as getting his license to operate his own transmitting set. 2
In 1917, during WWI, amateur readio operators were ordered by the President to shut down their rigs.
Mr Thornlwy was also associated with the Technology Club of Rhode Island in 1923.
The Technology Review February 1923
Howard Thornley, became the first chief engineer once Thomas P Giblin, who installed station WJAR could remove himself from the stations operation 7
In 1926, using his own set from his home in Pawtucket, contacted and conversed with the Byrd Expedition to the North Pole. At the time the only radio operator in the country to do so.
In 1933, Thornley who is working for WPRO oversees the installation of a 150 watt transmitter at the Brown Street Station in Chad Brown for use by the Providence police. The equipment and his services were donated by Cherry & Webb the station owners
Providence Journal August 27, 1933
Providence Journal September 20, 1933
Providence Journal October 14, 1934
Througout 1937 to 1939, Thornley is caught up in a FCC case with the Pawtucket Broadcasting Company, of which he is associated, in their attemp to get a license for radio station WNRI.
Pawtucket Times July 27, 1937
Providence Journal October 20, 1937
Providence Journal October 21, 1937
Providence Journal October 22, 1937
Providence Journal October 23, 1937
Providence Journal October 24, 1937
Providence Journal October 24, 1937
Pawtucket Times October 25, 1937
Providence Journal January 7, 1938
Pawtucket Times March 11, 1938
Pawtucket Times March 12, 1938
Pawtucket Times June 20, 1938
Pawtucket Times June 20, 1938
Pawtuckety Times July 25, 1938
Providence Journal December 13, 1938
Providence Journal May 9, 1939
Pawtucklet Times June 7, 1939
Pawtucket Times July 6 1939
In 1941 we see that Thornley is the President of station WFCI.