1917 Signal Corps Training: Wig-Wag Communication Drill

This historical photograph, captured at Pratt Institute in October 1917, showcases a training session for Signal Corps men featuring a device known as the Wig-Wag. The Wig-Wag was an important communication tool used during World War I, allowing for visual signaling through flags, an essential method of communication in environments where radio silence was critical.

The training at Pratt Institute was part of a broader effort to prepare troops for effective communication on the battlefield. As technology rapidly evolved during the war, military training focused on ensuring that servicemen were proficient in the latest techniques and equipment. This image not only documents the training methods of the time but also highlights the significance of communication in military operations during a pivotal moment in history.