History of mass media

  • 1439

    the printing press

    The printing press, invented by Johannes Gutenberg around 1440, transformed information sharing by enabling mass production of books and other printed materials. This innovation made literature more accessible and affordable, fostering literacy and contributing to significant cultural shifts like the Renaissance and the Protestant Reformation.
  • the first news paper

    The first newspaper, Relation, was published in 1605 by Johann Carolus in Strasbourg and marked the beginning of the modern news industry with its regular print and distribution.
  • telegraph

    In 1837, Samuel Morse invented the telegraph, allowing long-distance communication through electrical signals encoded in Morse code. This advancement dramatically improved business, military, and personal communication.
  • the first radio broadcast

    The first radio broadcast occurred in 1906, when Reginald Fessenden transmitted a program from Brant Rock, Massachusetts, marking the start of audio broadcasting.
  • Period: to

    TV becomes more wide spread

    By the 1940s and 1950s, television gained popularity in the U.S., with affordable sets and regular broadcasting. TV became a vital part of daily life, transforming entertainment and news consumption.
  • Period: to

    the creation of the internet

    The internet began developing in the 1960s as ARPANET, evolving into the accessible World Wide Web by the 1990s, which shaped the digital age.
  • the launch of cnn

    CNN was launched in 1980 as the first 24-hour cable news channel, changing how news was consumed by providing continuous coverage.
  • the rise of social media

    In the 2000s, social media platforms like MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter reshaped communication and information sharing, influencing culture and politics.