Radio and Television History

Invention

Jun 1, 1864

The idea of wireless communication predates the discovery of radio with experiments.

19th Century

Nov 28, 1875

In 1878, David E. Hughes noticed that sparks could be heard in a telephone receiver when experimenting with his carbon microphone.

20th Century

Jun 1, 1900

In 1900, Brazilian priest Roberto Landell de Moura transmitted the human voice wirelessly.

Start of 20th Century

Mar 22, 1901

Around the start of the 20th century, the Slaby-Arco wireless system was developed by Adolf Slaby and Georg von Arco.

Audio Broadcasting

Oct 25, 1906

Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both.

Telex on Radio

1930

Teletypewriters automated encoding, and were adapted to pulse-code dialing to automate routing, a service called telex.

Mobile Phones

1948

AT&T then introduced Mobile Telephone Service to one hundred towns and highway corridors by 1948. Mobile Telephone Service was a rarity with only 5,000 customers placing about 30,000 calls each week.

Color Television and Digital

1953

NTSC compatible color television introduced in the US.

Later 20th Century Developments

1954

In 1954 Regency introduced a pocket transistor radio, the TR-1, powered by a standard 22.5V Battery.

Broadcast and Copyright

1960

Radio was a free medium for the public to hear music for which they would normally pay. While some companies saw radio as a new avenue for promotion, others feared it would cut into profits from record sales and live performances.