Radio History

By ethan.ag

  • Marconi Invented Radio

    Marconi Invented Radio
    Marconi, an Italian inventor, sent the first radio signal in 1895. It is unknown if this is true, or if he just had good public relations. But he got full notoriety for this idea.

  • Audion Tube

    Audion Tube
    In 1906, Lee De Forest created the idea for an audion tub. This idea was that he could make a vacuum tube that amplifies sound. This became a key element when it came to making a radio station.

  • Radio Stations

    Radio Stations
    The first radio station, was named KDKA/8XK .KDKA Pittsburgh first went on the air in 1916. This was the Amateur/Experimental station of Westinghouse engineer Dr. Frank Conrad.

  • Dawn of Advertising

    Dawn of Advertising
    In 1922, the first radio advertisement was aired. The radio station that achieved this task was WEAF. They aired a 10 minute commercial, for an apartment complex and charged them $50.

  • FRC

    FRC
    The FRC was created in 1927. Their job was to regulate radio transmission. This commission was stopped in 1934 and the FCC took its place.

  • Call Letters

    Call Letters
    Call letters were established in 1930. These letters were used to differentiate radio stations. K is west of the Mississippi River, and W is east of the Mississippi River.

  • FM Radio Invented

    FM Radio Invented
    In 1933, FM radio was invented by Edwin Armstrong. FM Radio changes the amount of space in between the frequency lines. FM Radio is what most major radio stations use today

  • The Golden Era

    The Golden Era
    During the Great Depression, people were working very hard, trying to make $$. The radio served as an outlet for the whole whole family. This is because there were many different radio categories such as big band music, situational comedies, story hour, and dramas.

  • Radio's Demise

    Radio's Demise
    TV appeared in the late 30s and everybody was drawn to it. And even advertisers wanted to use TV as their main way of getting their business out there. "TV will do what cars did to horses"

  • Music Saved the Radio

    Music Saved the Radio
    The only way to listen to music was if you had the record, a jukebox, or went to the concert. Now, you could hop in your car and listen to music when you're driving somewhere. Music on radio filled the void of not having the record.

  • Superman

    Superman
    Superman was first aired on the radio in 1940. With the first episode being called "The Baby of Krypton". This was an instant hit with all children and teens.

  • $64 Dollar Question

    $64 Dollar Question
    This was an on-air gameshow that was very straightforward, The first question was worth one dollar. The total doubled with each question you got correct.

  • James Brown Releases "Live at the Apollo"

    James Brown Releases "Live at the Apollo"
    In 1963, James Brown released "Live at the Apollo". This album is his #1 ranked album. This is because it features his best known song "Try Me'.

  • Hank Williams Jr. Releases His First Album

    Hank Williams Jr. Releases His First Album
    Hank Williams Jr. released his first album "Hank Williams Jr. Sings The Songs of Hank Williams" in 1964. This was also his first album since his fathers passing. Hank Jr. was an instant hit.

  • Travis Scott Releases "Birds in the Trap"

    Travis Scott Releases "Birds in the Trap"
    In 2016, Travis Scott released his new album. When this album hit the radio, it was an instant hit. The reason for this was because people have never heard any style like Travis'.