The Walkie-Talkie

A walkie-talkie is a small radio you hold in your hand. You push a button to talk and let go to listen. Two people with walkie-talkies can talk to each other even when they are far apart.

How Walkie-Talkies Were Invented

Walkie-talkies were invented during World War II in the 1940s. Soldiers needed a way to talk to each other on the battlefield without using phone lines. Several inventors helped create the first portable two-way radios.

The first walkie-talkies were big and heavy. Soldiers had to carry them on their backs. After the war, walkie-talkies became smaller and were used by police, firefighters, and regular people.

How Walkie-Talkies Work

A walkie-talkie is both a radio sender and a receiver. When you press the talk button, it sends your voice as a radio signal through the air. The other walkie-talkie picks up the signal and plays your voice through a speaker.

Only one person can talk at a time on a walkie-talkie. That is why people say "over" when they are done talking. Kids love using walkie-talkies to talk to friends across the neighborhood.

Fun Facts

• Walkie-talkies were first used by soldiers in World War II.
• Some walkie-talkies can reach distances of over 30 miles.
• People say 'over' on walkie-talkies to let the other person know they are done talking.

Did You Know?

The name walkie-talkie was created because the device lets you walk and talk at the same time.