This simple regenerative receiver circuit appeared in Popular Science a hundred years ago this month, May 1920. It was sent in to the magazine by one Edward T. Jones, who reported that it used a resonant antenna, connected by what he called a “balancing circuit.” He reported that this circuit drew signals from the antenna in a much greater proportion than static.

He reported that connecting the optional variable capacitor resulted in greater signal strength, but with some loss of selectivity.