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Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell introduces the concept of electro-magnetic field and predicts the existence of radio waves.
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American dentist Mahlon Loomis successfully demonstrates "wireless telegraphy."
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German physicist Heinrich Rudolph Hertz demonstrates that electric current could be projected into space in the form of radio waves.
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Italian inventor G. Marconi sends and receives his first radio signal.
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Marconi flashes his first wireless signal across the English Channel.
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Marconi receives the letter "S" telegraphed from England to Newfoundland.
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The first successful transatlantic radiotelegraph message occurs.
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Crystal sets become available for Americans to purchase.
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Pittsburgh station KDKA becomes the first radio station.
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RCA and NBC become the nation's first radio networks.
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The incredibly popular 'Amos and Andy' radio program debuts.
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95% of American homes contain at least one radio.
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Even in its infancy, television begins to eclipse radio in popularity.
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Bill Haley's song "Rock Around the Clock" debuts; radio is launched into a new era with the birth of rock and roll and the Top 40 format.
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Though it would take many years to gain momentum, FM radio is officially introduced.
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FM's listeners is now equal to that of AM; one year later in 1980, FM will pass AM for good.