Circa 1950's technology

As I was walking to class last week, I saw this group of people on campus with a strange antenna device. Attached to the antenna was some sort of receiver and they were holding it up to the air trying to get information. WHAT THE HECK!?!? It must have been for some sort of class, but I never see people in 'real' life using that device. I think they were searching for the 4th dimension.
Whoever comes up with the most creative explanation gets a prize!