The First Radio

Everyone knows the radio is one of the most influential inventions in history. Here is some history and facts about the creation of the radio and its impact on society:

History:

• Invented by Guglielmo Marconi in 1895
• Radio technology began as “wireless telegraphy”
• Before the 1920s radios were used to contact ships at sea
• Civilians then began purchasing radios for private use
• KDKA was the first officially licensed radio station
• Radios became a common household item and a source of entertainment in the U.S. and the U.K. when the BBC (British Broadcasting Company) became the leading source of information to the public

Fun Facts:

• AM stands for Amplitude Modulation and FM stands for Frequency Modulation
• WEAF in New York City (owned by AT&T) played the first radio advertisement in the U.S. in 1923
• The “golden age” of radio is considered to be between the 1920s and 1940s because radio was at its peak of popularity and was the dominant medium in the U.S.

Impact on Society:

• Radios had a huge impact on society since the were created
• They changed the way we communicate by providing a way to broadcast information on a universal platform
• Radio continued to advance throughout history, providing society with not only a way to hear news, music, and entertainment, but also began the evolution of consumer culture in the U.S.
• The radio became a powerful social influence to the world and connected people on a level that they had never experienced before