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Marconi invents radio
Marconi, an Italian inventor, sent and recieved what he claimed to be the first radio signal. Whether or not he was actually the first is still up for debate. -
Audion Tube
Lee De Forest (or Reginald Fessenden) created the audian tube. An audian tube is essentially an amplifier tube, to extend the range of radio signals. -
First Radio Station
Originally called 8XK, the first radio station named KDKA broadcast, invented by Frank Conrad. He would play music by setting up a microphone by a phonograph to broadcast. -
"uncle charlie"
Uncle Charlies were personal radio stations, that anyone could have. I imagine its similar to having a pandora station but with more complications etc. -
Call Letters in Radio
The call letter system was applied to radio stations, to identify where a certain station is based. W indicated east of the mississippi, and K indicated west of it. -
Dawn of Advertising
WEAF broadcasted the first radio commercial, ten minutes long for an apartment complex. Charging $50 for the whole thing. -
FRC
Commision to organize the liscensing of transmitters, so that people would here the radio ads that people paid to broadcast, rather than just hear anyone's personal stations (uncle charlies} -
Golden Era
(-1940)
Radio was a popular pastime, to escape from the depression and WWII. It was a priority to people. It became a "Family Medium" for the family to enjoy together. The majority of radio content at the time was stories and dramas. -
FM transmitter
Edwin Armstrong invents the FM transmitter, and music began being broadcast on FM radio exclusively due to better quality/ range coverage. (Talk stayed on AM radio) -
Rock and roll
Throughout the 40's and 50's blues evolved to rock and roll, and jazz became really popular, evolving into other types of music. This helped kickstart the first of youth culture. -
Music on Radio
When television started taking radio's shows, radio began primarily broadcasting music. It became increasingly popular and is what we do today. -
Radio to Telephones
Because only three radio channels were available, only so many at&t customers were able to make calls with their phones at a time. that would eventually be fixed -
New groups
The sixties in music sparked the popular emergence of girl groups, surf and hot rod, as well as many soul singers -
Illegal downloading
Another thing cheating radio and the music industry is the increasing ease in which people can convert and download music off the internet -
Internet radio stations
Internet radio station and the like (Pandora, Spotify, etc) have begun to push traditional radio out. Now its easier to find music you like, so many people take advantage of that.
