The radio grew in popularity and was as successful as it was because it was able to reach all across the nation, helped the American people interpret the Great Depression, and was a universal place of communication and entertainment. Although the first radio-wave theorem was developed in 1864 by James Clerk Maxwell, it was not until the 1920s and 1930s that the device really gained popularity in the U.S. During the Great Depression, families, advertisers, and even politicians used the radio for purposes such as entertainment, news, and a forum to the American people.1
The radio was the first device to institute mass communication and when first brought to the American people, it did just that. Since 1920, when KDKA, the first officially government licensed radio station began,2 Americans began to use the radio to help interpret the economic unrest around them, confusing political issues, and on the whole a newly forming American culture.3 Radio gave the American people control of their own lives on a more familiar and personal level, while still allowing them to feel connected to others all across the nation. The radio meant mass communication, a mass audience, and a new and better kind of understanding in the otherwise confusing culture of America at the time.4 The American people responded well to the device for these reasons alone and by 1930, radio sales grew tremendously to 13.5 million from the previous 75,000 of 1921.5 The radio was able to provide the American people a sense of togetherness during an otherwise alienated and estranged time.
It was not until the era of The Great Depression that the radio truly became popular.6 The Great Depression was a time when culture and all its embodiments (i.e. the radio) were grea...
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3. “The History of Communication Technology: Radio,” accessed February 3, 2014, http://www.personal.psu.edu/jtk187/art2/radio.htm.
4. “Radio’s America: The Great Depression and the Rise of Modern Mass Culture,” accessed February 3, 2014, http://press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/471921.html.
5. “The Great Depression Helps Radio,” accessed February 3, 2014. http://library.thinkquest.org/27629/themes/media/md30s.html.
6. “Radio’s America: The Great Depression and the Rise of Modern Mass Culture.”
7. “The Great Depression Helps Radio.”
8. “The Invention of the Radio.”
9. “Radio’s America: The Great Depression and the Rise of Modern Mass Culture.”
10. “Radio’s America: The Great Depression and the Rise of Modern Mass Culture.”
11. “Radio’s America: The Great Depression and the Rise of Modern Mass Culture.”
12. “The Great Depression Helps Radio.”
Radio waves were first discovered in 1887, but radio itself was initially invented by Italian Guglielmo Marconi in 1895 (1). His biggest mentioned success was in 1901, when he managed to broadcast the letter “S” across the Atlantic Ocean (1). However, he focused primarily on point-to-point transmissions, not large scale broadcasts from one point (F). As such, three American inventors - Lee De Forest, Edwin Howard Armstrong, and David Sarnoff - took credit for making radio as it is today a success (F). De Forest was born and raised in Alabama and he thought of everything in terms of patents and eventually held more than 300, but many claimed that he simply stole the inventions of others (2). In 1900, he patented a device to enhance weak signals and in 1902, he formed the De Forest Wireless Telegraph Company (1). In the same year. Reginald Fessenden, a Canadian, invented the “electrolytic detector”, which later became the spade detector that brought De Forest so much fame (F). In 1904, John Fleming invented the oscillation valve, which later became De Forest’s audion, and De Forest won the gold medal at the St. Louis World’s Fair for his “spade detector” (F). De Forest gained quite a bit of fame by broadcasting music live from the Eiffel Tower and from the Metropolitan Opera; however, many believed that this was a scam and that he had actually had the device broadcasting the signal only a few blocks away (F). In 1906, he envisioned bringing music and voices to all American households, but as it turns out Canadian inventor Fessenden had already broadcasted a Christmas greeting and music to the crew of a ship off the coast of Canada on Christmas Eve a year earlier (F). In 1912, Armstrong became prominent by inventing regeneration, wh...
The 1920s became known as an era memorable for being a time when new products, new ways of marketing and advertising, and standardization gave the country new ways to interact, enjoy themselves, and introduce them to new products. Although very common today, standardization of mass culture like magazines, radio, movies, music, and sports were exciting new innovations to the people of this time. Not only did they distract from the monotony and stresses of work but they created celebrities that people aspired to be like.
Good morning, Sioux City. This is Adam Lewis and you are tuned to KL&R on this delightful March 3rd for all your news so you’ll know what’s going on.
The Hollywood Blacklisting that followed the Red Scare of the 1950’s forced the media to change in order to survive the scrutinizing committees of the HUAC and various congressional committees that pushed for the social “purging” of America in hopes of searching out the “Reds” which they believed were hiding among them. This change in media came at a time when the public had become extremely receptive to such influences due to the spread of the television and the growth of the middle class who had extra money to spend on luxuries such as going to the movie theatres. The constant barrage of conformity and conservatism as well as xenophobia seen in everyday shows and movies shaped the perception of the average American to believe that liberal or radical ideas were not what normal people supported and believed in.
People around the globe rely on the media to interpret the events that occur in the world. They get the latest information about national and global news from the radio, television, and newspapers that have correspondents waiting to tell the story. People also heavily rely on the media during times of crises like war, economic insecurity, or other global events that affects their lives. One of the most impactful times Americans depended on the media was during World War II, which illustrated the triumphs and defeats of the war and its impression it left during the post-war era. It was around this time, movie clips and radio shows geared its messages towards patriotic themes that persuaded Americans to support the war.
Many authors use the personification of inanimate objects to symbolize the feelings and expressions of their characters. One example of this is in John Cheever’s short story, "The Enormous Radio." Although critics argue that the characteristics of the radio are the opposite of those of Jim and Irene Westcott, the radio actually reflects the couple’s life.
...e radio was invented during the era and found its way into broadcasting to every home in America. The era introduced the first movie made with sound, The Jazz Singer, which later makes movies more popular in demanding.
Before 1923 the only means of reaching a immense audience was through newspapers or word-of-mouth. With the new technology of radio broadcasting in 1923, it was possible to reach the vast majority of the United States’ population. On July 1, 1923 AT&T established the first permanent radio network, WEAF NY and WMAF Mass, that linked broadcasting stations (White). The first radio station to air was 3AR and it started transmitting music, news, and race results. In December of 1923 President Calvin Coolidge made the first presidential address on radio.
Paul S. Boyer. "Television." The Oxford Companion to United States History. 2001. Retrieved November 24, 2011 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O119-Television.html
There were many events that led to the Great Depression. Every event affected the people worse and worse over time. The Great Depression started in the early 1930’s during Hoover’s presidency. However, before the Great Depression life was great, there were many new technologies that made life more advanced. Nobody expected such a horrible event to occur during the time of the “Roaring 20’S.”
Entertainment in the 1920s began changing after World War I. Because people had more money and were more prosperous, they were able to go to theatres, clubs, and sporting events. Although the greatest form of entertainment had been motorcars, it was a form of freedom that people had never experienced. Sports began to become more popular. “Baseball became popular with the great mass of people for the first time”(Fischer). Because of another form of entertainment gaining popularity, the radio made it easier for fans to keep up
Prior to the Great Depression the United States was flourishing with technology and consumer spending. The Roaring Twenties brought much cheer and prosperity to the economy. The invention of the automobile, radio and motion picture brought higher wages and more jobs. When families wanted to forget about their troubles for a little while, they would usually go see a movie. Some films were The Wizard of Oz, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and Gone with the Wind. Music was also an entertaining way to distract you from everyday life problems. Women were dressing differently and trying to gain a better place for themselves in the work force. Their views and mannerism were also changing.
Peoples of various countries around the world during the 1940’s spent countless hours tuned into to their radio for news, entertainment, and inspiration; the popularization of television sets was given immense cursory due to this. With the rise of television came heartwarming comedies, such as The Andy Griffith Show, thrilling episodic shows, such as Twilight Zone, and prime time variety shows, such as the wildly popular Ed Sullivan Show. These variety shows featured countless up and coming rock and roll performers and catapulted them into the hearts and minds of the American public. While television was an extreme influence on the rising popularity of many rock and roll stars, radio performances did not go away. In actuality, these exposures
Buying the same stuff, listening to the same music, and even using the same slang terms. Many people across the United States and even across the world were becoming more and more similar in the way they talked and the purchases they made. This could partially be accredited to the radio. This simple device was revolutionizing the nation’s economy. The value of radio sales in the U.S. jumped from $60 million in 1922 to almost $850 million in 1929. Popular network programs such as “Amos ‘n’ Andy” and “the Philco hour” provided an effective ...
"Introduction to Mass Communication." EFFECTS OF RADIO ON SOCIETY*Introduction to Mass Communication| Lessons Free Online Read Lessons. Zainbooks, n.d. Web. 3 Dec. 2013. .