Abstract: A detailed investigation of the prediction and discovery of electromagnetic waves according to Maxwell′s works and Hertz′s  Miscellaneous Papers, Electric Waves and Memoiros Letters Diaries reveals that these have been some misunderstandings about Hertz′s contributions in this aspect. It is shown that Maxwell′s magnetism could not have directed Hertz′s experimental research on electromagnetism. It is concluded that Hertz′s research was an abduction, Hertz′s work accelerated the development of radio waves, and his work had a great influence on the development of physics from the end of the 19th century to the early 20th century.