Alfred Traeger Alfred Traeger Alfred Hermann Traeger, OBE (2 August 1895 – 31 July 1980) was an Australian inventor, chiefly known for the development of the pedal radio. Traeger was born at Glenlee, near Dimboola, Victoria, and raised near Adelaide, South Australia. He was instrumental in the establishment and early success of the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia. Traeger had an interest in radio for much of his life. During the 1920s, he was contacted by Rev John Flynn to assist in experiments which were to enable remote families access to medical treatment by using radio equipment. He also suggested the
Rev. John Thomas Becher Rev. John Thomas Becher The Rev. John Thomas Becher (born 1770 died 1848), was an English clergyman, social reformer and Vicar-General of Southwell Minster from 1818 to 1840. John Thomas Becher was the eldest son of Michael Becher and his wife Catherine(née French) of Cork, Ireland. Branches of the Becher family established themselves at Bristol and at Southwell. The ‘Bristol’ Bechers were heavily involved in shipping which included slave trading activities. The ‘Southwell’ Bechers were important as local land agents, squires and parsons for generations. John Thomas Becher was sent to Westminster School at the age of 14 in 1783,