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The first public radio broadcast
The first public radio broadcast was the Metropolitan Opera House performance of Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci across New York City. -
Radio Act of 1912
Before 1912, there was no regulation or licensing required for people broadcasting on the radio. Amateur broadcasters had the ability to control the airwaves making it chaotic and kind of a mess. In 1912 they established that you had to be licensed in order to stop the interference that continued to occur with amateur broadcasting. -
Creation of the RCA
The Radio Corporation of America (RCA) was a government-sanctioned monopoly created in 1919. The RCA was owned by Westinghouse, American Telegraph and Telephone Company (AT&T), Western Electric, United Fruit Company, and others. Later, it expanded into nearly every aspect of technology and communication. -
The start of radio networks with NBC
In 1926, the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) was formed by the RCA. They were a network broadcasting business and when more were created like CBS, ABC, and more ended up owning the majority of radio shows/stations that weren't local. -
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"Golden Age" of radio
The 1930's was when radio truly became one of the most popular forms of entertainment. Over 60% of households owned a radio in 1934 and one and half million cars had them. By 1940, there were 765 operating radio stations. -
Invention of FM radio
AM radio had existed since 1892, invented by John Stone Stone. Edwin H. Armstrong invented frequency modulation (FM) radio which helped solve the issue of static. FM and AM frequencies could work side-by-side without interference, a huge accomplishment. These became essential to all radios, and later TV.