-
Radio Act Passed by Congress
Congress passes the first regulatory law over all radio transmissions in the U.S as a response to the catastrophe of the sinking of the Titanic and an effort to keep emergency stations clear. This law begins the federal regulation and enforcement of licensure for radio operators. -
RCA founded
General Electric acquires The Marconi Telegraph Company and its broadcasting technology, which has been primarily used by the US government as a resource in national security. This convergence launches the commercialization of radio broadcasting. -
KDKA Broadcasts As First Commercial Radio Station
KDKA station, under the Westinghouse Electric Company in Pittsburgh, PA, makes the first commercial broadcast in the U.S. It broadcasts the results of the Harding-Cox presidential election and sets the stage for radio broadcasting as popular entertainment. -
First Television Transmissions Experiments Conducted
The RCA uses its pooled technological and financial resources to invest in television broadcasting research and experimentation. It draws from radio broadcasting infrastructure to begin to successfully build upon image transmission and reception. -
RCA Performs First Television Broadcast
The RCA makes the first completely functional television broadcast and begins to develop the television as a popular broadcasting medium during this year. -
Period: to
Licensing Freeze Enforced
As popularity of television broadcasting grows, the Federal Communications Commission freezes the application and licensure awarding process for TV networks in an effort to decongest the frequencies. This leads to a monopoly of already existing and popular network companies in the industry and the emergence of the "Big 3." -
Televisions Sold as Household Item
The 1949 Sears, Roebuck catalogue features television and thus becomes the first mainstream retail company to offer TVs for purchase to the public American consumer. The popularity of Sears as an outlet to purchase household items at this time spurs the frenzy of TV purchases in average middle-class American homes. -
Period: to
"Golden Age" of Television Emerges
Television program trends begin to take shape with the uptick of viewers, and celebrities become associated with ad agencies that sponsor the TV programs. Popular genres begin to form, such as drama anthologies, comedies, and game shows, creating the time period in TV known as the "Golden Age."