Radio astronomy was founded by Grote Reber, an amateur radio operator. Radio itself was greatly advanced by Guglielmo Marconi, a young Italian man who started out by tinkering with a coherer and a spark coil as an amateur electrician. Pierre de Fermat was a highly influential mathematician whose primary vocation was law.
Radio astronomy originated with Grote Reber, an amateur radio enthusiast.  The advancement of radio technology was spearheaded by Guglielmo Marconi, a young Italian who started as an amateur electrician working with a coherer and a spark coil. Pierre de Fermat, a renowned mathematician, was primarily known for his work in law.