�y��vlog

This translating activity was called modulation and the back-again was demodulation; thus, the name: modulation + demodulation = mo/dem : modem.

Wireless modems still do the same basic job of translating digital bits to some analog form, but now instead of sound, the modulation and demodulation is done to radio waves, which have the benefit of allowing many more bits per second to be packed together.