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
John Flynn (minister) station properties in a wide radius of Beltana, and their practical and spiritual service was valued in the isolated localities. Flynn used it as an opportunity to look at the potential for something bigger. By 1912, after writing a report for his church superiors on the difficulties of ministering to such a widely scattered population, Flynn was made the first superintendent of the Australian Inland Mission which became Frontier Services. Flynn's vision was to establish a 'Mantle of Safety' for the people of Outback Australia. As well as tending to spiritual matters, Flynn quickly established the need for medical care