History of Radio

By coco butter

  • Marconi's signal

    Marconi sent the first radio signal in 1895

  • The Audion Tube

    In 1906, a man named Lee De Forest created an audion tube. This was a device used to amplify radio waves.

  • The Invisible Hero

    As radio became popular, people found ways to move it across sea. When the titanic sank, radio was used to call for help. If it wasn't for radio, no one would have survived.

  • Radio stations

    In 1920, radio stations began to form. One famous station, created by Frank Conrad, was 8k, or is know known as KDKA. This station was one of the first to be created, and is still around today!

  • Dear Uncle Charlie

    As radio stations began to form, people wanted more ways to listen. Thats how the Uncle Charlies were created. These were homemade or home radios that people used to listen to stations.

  • Commercials are too long

    Now that radio was very popular, advertisers saw an opportunity to make money. In 1922, WEAF launched its first 10 minute "commercial" or toll broadcast. This was what started the chain of commercials we have today

  • CALLING all stations!

    To provide organization of radio stains throughout the nation, call letters were created. These were letters that indicated what side of the Mississippi river it was located. If on the west, a K would be in front of the station's name, if east, then a W would be in front.

  • The Golden Era

    This was the era where radio was so popular and helped. During this time, 30s-40s, the nation was struggling though the Great Depression and in the middle of a war.

  • Radio strikes again!

    Radio provided an escape for people who were struggling though the Golden Era. It also provided money for people who were becoming poor.

  • A new player has arrived

    During the middle of the Golden Era, TV was created. These were recorded or animated programs.

  • No more Charlies!

    In 1927, stations began to notice something. The signal from the Uncle Charlies was disrupting the signal given off by the stations. This was making stations angry, so they released the FRC law, which organized the licensing of having a transmitter.