These notes are all that is needed to understand Chapter 3 in Only Connect: A Cultural History of Broadcasting in the United States. The chapter covers the era after the war and shows how the radios were taking over the market and allowing people to tune into their favorite shows and stars.
● Post-WWI: Radio technology transitioned from military use to civilian and commercial
purposes.
○ The government loosened its control, allowing private companies to develop
broadcasting for the public.
● Rise of Commercial Broadcasting:
○ RCA (Radio Corporation of America): central to this shift, bringing together
companies like General Electric (GE) and Westinghouse to lead the charge in radio
manufacturing and broadcasting.
○ Westinghouse's KDKA, Pittsburgh (1920), is considered the first radio station to
offer regular broadcasts to the public, debuting with the 1920 presidential election
results.
● Rapid Expansion of Radio Stations:
○ Between 1921 and 1923, the number of radio stations grew rapidly, as more companies
recognized radio's commercial potential. Stations began offering a mix of programming
news, sports, and entertainment broadening radio’s appeal to a mass audience.
Technological Advancements and Challenges
● AM (Amplitude Modulation):
○ AM radio became the dominant technology, though it faced challenges like signal
interference and limited sound quality. Despite limitations, AM allowed for
long-distance broadcasting, laying the foundation for national networks.
● Licensing and Frequency Issues:
○ The rapid growth of stations led to overcrowded airwaves, with stations broadcasting
on overlapping frequencies. Without clear regulation, the airwaves became chaotic,
leading to interference issues that needed government intervention.
Formation of National Networks
● AT&T’s Role and Toll Broadcasting: Entered the broadcasting business by using its
telephone lines for long-distance transmission of radio signals.
○ toll broadcasting; companies paid to broadcast sponsored programs, introducing the
first model of commercial radio.
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