We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. By continuing we’ll assume you’re on board with our cookie policy

Radio in the 1920’s

essay
The whole doc is available only for registered users

A limited time offer! Get a custom sample essay written according to your requirements urgent 3h delivery guaranteed

Order Now

In the 1920’s Radio Broadcasting became one of America’s favorite sources of entertainment. During this time period most Americans depended on radio for their source of communication, since television was not yet invented. The invention of radio had a major impact on Americans. Radio stations sent out a variety of shows and programs such as; sports, musical concerts, and newscasts. The radio became a regular past time for Americans in this time period.

Radio became a production of mass market; manufactures were quickly overwhelmed by the demand of the American consumers. Between 1923 and 1930, 60% of American had radios. As radio sales went up, so did the number of broadcasting stations, and by 1922, 600 radio stations had sprung up everywhere around the United States.

Chicago’s first radio station was KYW, started in 1921 by Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company. KYW was also the first specialized radio station playing only opera music six days a week. The station was an instant hit and continued to be a favorite in Chicago, but after the opera season ended, the stations realized that they needed to diversify the programming. They began broadcasting things such as sports, classical music, lectures, popular music, fictional stories, newscasts, weather updates, market updates and political commentary. Radio stations created a sense of community among Americans, but as the technology grew, tension was created between the modern day and the old traditions of the United States.

Spread of radio listeners started disruption with the radio stations. Radio stations began to compete for the listeners and programs started to overlap. To go along with the problems, the government and emerging radio corporations thought of the radio as a public service. Radio announcers, deejays, and stations worked on a non-profit basis. Advertising over the radio was later in the 1920’s, changing it from public service to making money.

The radio had become a free for all and many listeners asked the government to regulate the airwaves. Responding slowly, the government gradually started passing laws to regulate the radio. The Federal Radio Commission was set up in 1926 and the Radio Act of 1927 organized the Federal Radio Commission. As the government spent more time investigating radio stations, portioning the times to the different radio stations, and monitoring growth of different stations, they became more comfortable with the responsibilities of regulating.

The radio continued to grow with the technological advances that the United States had created and Americans began to modernize, shaping the culture to the way it is today. Imagine living without radio, or music recordings… Without the Roaring 20’s or the invention of the radio, life today just wouldn’t be the same.

Related Topics

We can write a custom essay

According to Your Specific Requirements

Order an essay
icon
300+
Materials Daily
icon
100,000+ Subjects
2000+ Topics
icon
Free Plagiarism
Checker
icon
All Materials
are Cataloged Well

Sorry, but copying text is forbidden on this website. If you need this or any other sample, we can send it to you via email.

By clicking "SEND", you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy. We'll occasionally send you account related and promo emails.
Sorry, but only registered users have full access

How about getting this access
immediately?

Your Answer Is Very Helpful For Us
Thank You A Lot!

logo

Emma Taylor

online

Hi there!
Would you like to get such a paper?
How about getting a customized one?

Can't find What you were Looking for?

Get access to our huge, continuously updated knowledge base

The next update will be in:
14 : 59 : 59