Radio was originally conceived as a means for two-way communication without wires; that is, as a means to send telegrams or make telephone calls wirelessly.
As early as 1916, David Sarnoff, an employee of Marconi Wireless’s US subsidiary suggested a whole other use for radio: as a means of distributing entertainment. He called it a “radio music box.” No one took him seriously until KDKA in Pittsburgh announced the 1920 Presidential election results live on election night—a convincing demonstration of the potential of the new medium.
- Listen now:
Playlist:
Fanfare
Opening Theme
“The Japanese Sandman”
Composed in 1920 by Richard A. Whiting. Public domain.
Performed by Paul Whiteman and His Ambassador Orchestra. Public domain recording. Source.
Closing Theme
Except when otherwise indicated, the contents of this podcast are © and ℗ 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 by Mark Painter, all rights reserved. Some music and sound effects used by arrangement with Pond 5.
Ohohoh… So you’re an engineer ha! Now I understand where the extremely neat, clear and tidy layout of the show come from.. 🙂
I^m also an Engineer. I hold dual degrees in computer engineering and physics.. Believe it or not, I did my Ph. D. in RPI on upstate NY..
Scott Chesworth of ancient world podcast fame is an engineer too (mechanical, if I remember correctly).