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Inventor
Maconi an Italian inventor sent and recieved the first radio signal. It wasn't a typical radio signal (music, voice) just a signal wirelessly -
Audion Tube
Lee De Forrest created (or borrowed) the idea for the Audion Tube; a vaccum tube that amplified signals. A canadian inventor named Reginald Fessenden actually came up with the idea, he wasn't credited for his idea. -
First Radio Station
The very first radio station was made in 1920 named: 8XX, later renamed KDKA. It was created by Frank Conrad, and is still broadcasting til this day in Pttsburg, Pennsylvania. -
Advertising
In 1922 WEAF aired a 10 minute 'commercial' or toll broadcast, for an apartment complex charging $50 to listen to. -
Uncle Charlie
FRC (Federal Radio Commission) was Established in 1927 due to Uncle Charlies (personal radio stations) become so widespread there was a lot of them. When someone paid for a radio station they wanted to listen to, and picked up an uncle charlie they would be extremely mad because they're not getting what they paid for. -
Golden Era of Radio
In the middle of the great depression, people badly needed money. Radio provided an 'escape' for people during this time. -
Call Letters
Call letters were made due to other states using the same frequency as another. So every state on the east of the Mississippi river starts with a W, and every station west of the Mississippi starts with a K.