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First Trans-Atlantic Radio Signal Sent
Marconi sent & received the first radio signal in 1895. This event would be the first glimpse into the field of radio technology. In 1901 however, Marconi would take a major step by transmitting and receiving the morse code letter "S" from Cornwall, England overseas. -
De Forest's Audion Tube
American inventor, Lee De Forest creates the Audion Tube. -
De Forest Broadcasts from the Metropolitan Opera House.
Broadcast voice of Enrico Caruso by radio from the Metropolitan Opera House, New York, N.Y. This had never been done before. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1QJwHWvgP8 -
Titanic Sinks
A wireless distress call from the sinking Titanic helps save many lives, as a result of Armstrong's regeneration. -
Armstrong Creates the Regenerative Circuit
While he was an undergraduate at Columbia University, American inventor, Edwin Howard Armstrong created the regenerative circuit, allowing electronic signal amplification. -
De Forest vs. Armstrong
Lee Deforest invented the Audion tube, but Edwin Armstrong invented the circuits that made it work and truly understood the invention, and the two fought bitterly over the patents for years. The beginning of what would be known later as the longest patent suit in history. WW1 begins. -
Navy Takes Radio
1917 The United States enters World War I; The U.S. Navy takes ownership of radio frequency spectrum. -
The Radio Returns
After the end of World War 1, the radio made its return to the private sector. RCA is formed. -
NBC is Born
RCA forms two networks: NBC Blue and NBC Red. Blue and Red networks were the two original radio networks of the National Broadcasting Company, as well as the first two commercial radio networks in the United States. -
CBS Is Born
September 18, 1927 William Paley, the businessman, decides to try his hand in the radio broadcast business. Founded CBS, which would see the beginning of the radio oligopoly possessed by NBC and CBS. -
Amos n Andy
NBC created a broadcast revolution with the beginning of "Amos 'n' Andy". Gained a massive, loyal NBC following. First program of it's kind, meaning that it conditioned listeners across the nation to follow a continued program. -
Sarnoff Promoted
After working his way through the ranks, Sarnoff is finally promoted to president of RCA. -
Fireside Chats & FM Radio
President Franklin D. Roosevelt broadcasts Fireside Chats, listeners could tune in from their living rooms and listen to FDR speak. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9CBpbuV3ok Armstrong demonstrates FM. FM made transmitting clearer and easier. FM became known for music and AM for talking. -
Mutual Broadcasting System Founded
A new type of network, formed by four well-established radio broadcasters from both NBC and CBS. Programming produced by local stations. Created to take America's best local programming and nationalize it. -
PANIC!
Orson Welles's "War of the Worlds" program creates panic; The first FM station, W2XMN, in New Jersey. -
U.S. Becomes Involved in WW2
The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor would mark the beginning of the United States' involvement in WW2. Television would begin soon after the ending of the Second Great War. Thus, transitioning into the next phase and channel of broadcast; television.
