1920's: The Radio and its Impact

The Radio: Its Beginning

Guglielmo Marconi sent the first radio signal in Italy in 1885 In 1899 the United States Army established wireless communications with a lightship off Fire Island, New York
o

Two years later the Navy adopted a wireless system.

During WW1, the U.S. government controlled all radio development

o these government restraints were released in 1919

The Impact on Americans

By 1923 there were about 3 million radio listeners in the country o that was about 37% of the country With more than 1/3 of the country listening to radios, information could travel faster to rural and isolated areas This caused the rise of pop culture and national experience

Uses of the Radio

Created National Heroes Projected Sports Events Told Political Stories Played Music

National Heroes

Charles Lindbergh- flew solo from New York to Paris in 1927 o When he flew over Ireland, the news radioed both New York and Paris!

The News

1920 - The Harding-Cox presidential results were aired over Westinhouses Corporation's KDKA radio station in Pittsburgh Many radio stations broadcasted murder cases and other scandals o entertainment pieces

Sports

The Gene Tunney and Jack Dempsey boxing match sold more than $90,000 worth of radios in one store! (1927) The Yankees o By 1924, 576 radio stations nationwide broadcasted their games o Babe Ruth, hit 60 homeruns in 154 games in 1927 - over five millions radios listened to this broadcast around the country (the sportscasters giving a play by play of the game) Before WW1, there were few golf and tennis courts around the country o by 1926 millions of sports fans listened to Bobby Jones win the U.S. and British Open

Bobby Jones at the British Open

Babe Ruth

"He wasn't a baseball player. He was a worldwide celebrity, an international star, the likes of which baseball has never seen since."

the "Galloping Ghost"

Harold Edward "Red" Grange o 3-time All-American at University of Illinois o scored a touchdown in every single college game except for one o named the greatest college football player of all-time by ESPN

Gertrude Ederle

In 1926, became the first woman to swim across the English Channel She swam it in 14 hours and 39 minutes

<--a parade held for her in NYC

Your Assignment

Get in a group of 3-4 people and come up with your own radio broadcast Your broadcast must address these questions: o Who will listen to your station? o What will you broadcast (sports, news, music)? Have fun and be creative!