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in 1873 James Clerk Maxwell showed mathematically that electromagnetic waves could travel through air.
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He demonstrated Maxwell's theory. He demonstrated that someone could produce and detect electromagnetic radiation.
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He used Maxwell's mathematic findings to demonstrate the sending and receiving a radio frequency energy. he proposed that this method could be used for sending and receiving information.
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Marconi invented the very first radio signal in 1895. He was an Italian inventor. He sent and received the very first radio signal.
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in 1901 the spark gap transmitter was invented. the device allowed for the production of the first commercially available radio sets but the spark gap radios were plagued with problems mainly electrical interference. these were greatly improved with the invention and production of the crystal radio sets.
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In 1906 Lee De Forest created the Audion Tube. the Audion Tube is a vacuum tube that amplifies signals. it was wildly believed that a Canadian inventor, Reginald Fessenden actually came up with the idea but Fessenden didn't seem to make it into the history books for that invention.
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About 25 years later Frank Conrad made a radio station. it is still around today. they later renamed KDKA
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Crystal sets were the most widely used sets in america. they were mostly used in american homes by the 1920's. it was the american families connection to the rest of the country. this was fantastic but there was still a problem that needed to be fixed.
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AM stands for amplitude modulation. the only problem was that AM is medium range and is prone to be blocked by urban structure. until 1933, Edwin Armstrong invented FM radio.
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WEAF aired a ten minute commercial to broadcast for an apartment complex that charged $50.
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The F.R.C was established in 1927. It was to organize licensing of transmitters. Assigning radio station frequencies, calling letters, and power limits. which later led to F.C.C.
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The great depression was a very hard time.During the middle of the great depression people were hurting for money. radio provided an escape from their lives.
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television made an appearance in the late 30's. as popularity grew advertisers went to t.v. radio began to loose money and decided to jump ship.
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Major Edwin Armstrong invented the FM transmitter. The FM transmitter made for a stronger signal and higher quality sound. Listeners were forced to buy new radio sets. They did music on FM and talked on AM.
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FM was invented by Edwin Armstrong in 1933. FM stands for frequency modulation. this type of broadcasting method uses a wavelength that is less prone to static and blockage and it also has a longer range. with the invention of FM radio only needed one more evolution to become what you know today. that last advancement was the transistor radio.
