-
Marconi invents radio
Marconi invented radio. May not have been the first, but was the best at PR. -
Lee De Forest creates audion tube
It is a vacuum that amplified signals -
Reginald Fessenden
This man was the first to invent AM for radio stations. -
Ferdinand Braun
Marconi and Karl Ferdinand Braun were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for "contributions to the development of wireless telegraphy". -
Harold Power
Harold Power with his radio company American Radio and Research Company (AMRAD), broadcast the first continuous broadcast in the world from Tufts University under the call sign 1XE (it lasted 3 hours). The company later became the first to broadcast on a daily schedule, and the first to broadcast radio dance programs, university professor lectures, the weather, and bedtime stories. -
Radio Stations
First radio station was originally called 8XK, but then was renamed to KDKA by Frank Conrad. -
Advertising
the radio station WEAF aired a 10 minute "commercial" or toll brodcast, for an apartment complex charging $50. -
FRC
Uncle Charlie was too popular. The FRC was established and organized the licensing of transmitters. It also assigned radio station frequencies, call letters, and power limits. -
Golden Era
Families could enjoy the radio together. They could listen to band music, situational comedies, drams, and story hour. -
Duke Ellington
American composer, pianist, and jazz-orchestra leader. His career spanned more than 50 years: Ellington led his orchestra from 1923 until his death. Though widely considered to have been a pivotal figure in the history of jazz, Ellington himself embraced the phrase "beyond category" as a "liberating principle," and referred his music to the more general category of "American Music," rather than to a musical genre such as "jazz." -
Radio's Demise
TV's were starting to make an appearance. As popularity grew, advertisers went to TV. Radio lost money, radio shows jumped ship. -
Music saves radio
At the time, you didn't have very much. You had jukeboxes, records, and live concerts. Music on the radio filled a void. -
Frank Sinatra
He started out with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, and then went on to be a solo artist. -
Radio's Progression
Major Edwin Armstrong invented the FM transmitter, which made for a stronger signal and higher quality sound. Listeners were forced to buy new radio sets. -
Bing Crosby
A multimedia star, from 1934 to 1954 Bing Crosby was a leader in record sales, radio ratings, and motion picture grosses. Crosby's trademark bass-baritone voice made him one of the best-selling recording artists of the 20th century, with over half a billion records in circulation.
