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Inventing the first FM Radio
The FM Radio was invented by Edwin H. Armstrong in 1928. The FM Radio produces a crisper sound than the AM Radio. The FM Radio prevented much less static as well. The FM Radio was slow at becoming popular because most people only had AM Radio receivers. -
Sharing his invention with Sarnof
Armstrong took his invention to his friend, David Sarnof, the head of RCA. They told him they would help him build an experimental radio station. However, Sarnof and RCA wanted to protect the AM Radio. Sarnof and RCA closed down he FM Radio station they had helped Armstrong build up. -
Demonstration
On June17, 1936, Armstrong decided to introduce his invention to the FCC. FCC is the Federal Communications Comissions and relegate the radio, television, and telephone. Armstrong was confident in his invention. However, the FCC critics predicted that the FM Radio was impractical. -
Police Radio
In 1939, Edward J. Hickey who was a Comissioner of Connecticut Police, asked Daniel Noble to desingn a radio that could be put into the police cars. An AM radio was suggested, but Noble had designed too many of those and wanted to design a two-way FM Radio sysytem. -
FM Rdio On Air
On December 7, 1941, 50 FM Radio stations went on the air. However, the bombing of Pearl Harbor froze the ongoing broadcasts. Sarnof and RCA then pressured the FCC into changing all FM frequencies to AM. This action caused Armstrong to lose his personal investments in the FM Radio. -
FM Car Radio
The FM Radio did not reach car radios until 1952. This was because peope still widely prefered AM Radio. Finally, FM Radio surpassed AM Rdio and they put the FM Radio into cars. -
Suicide
Eventually Armstrong gave up his fight with Sarnof and RCA. In his grief he wrote a note to his wife that apologized for him comitting suicide. He then took out the air conditioner in his 13th story apartment in New York. When it was removed, he jumped to his death. Just a few weeks later, RCA announced record profits. -
Current
Following the death of Armstrong, RCA began making money. From FM transmitters and equipment, RCA began developing them frequently and making millions of dollars. Today, FM Radio ia much more popular than the AM Rdio, in listeners and stations. -
Norway shuts off FM
Earlier this week, the Ministry of Culture confirms a date to switch off FM Radio stations in Norway. This was originally proposed in 2011. The shut off date is January 11, 2017.
