Wait a second!
More handpicked essays just for you.
More handpicked essays just for you.
The invention of the radio and its impact
Summary on the evolution of radio
The growth of radio and its effect on American society
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Recommended: The invention of the radio and its impact
Introduction
Over the course of the next two essays we will explore and analyze growth of radio as it matured over the years in addition to what could’ve happened differently had radio been developed during the poverty of the Depression era rather than the wealthy atmosphere of the 1920s.
1. Discuss the evolution of radio from the 1940’S to the present, reflecting on significant changes.
During World War II, radio was a key lifeline of information for the masses. Listeners from audiences around the world tuned in to their radios as broadcast reporters gave vivid descriptions if battles, victories, invasions and defeats. Public figures and political leaders such as Winston Churchill, Adolf Hitler and Franklin D. Roosevelt used the medium of radio to influence public opinion.
Not only did radio function as a telecommunications channel for the realism of war as well as propaganda, but it also served as a consistent source of entertainment and distraction, lessening the difficulty and stresses of life during the war. Radio shows and music programs allowed people to get lost in the moment of the story or song that was playing, and were a welcome diversion from the hardships and heartbreak of war time.
Thus was ushered in the “Golden Age” of radio, which hearkened unto all as a symbol of hope and amusement. During the golden age of radio, which occurred during the 1940s, the amount of money spent on radio advertising significantly increased. This steady popularity saw radio rise above the traditional newspaper as the most popular provider of commercial marketing in the advertisement industry. Radio listeners were faithful and supportive. As a result of this, radio e...
... middle of paper ...
...s largely due to the relatively easy, fast transition of radio into the American life. By the time the Depression rolled around, the radio was an integral part of culture.
References:
Part 1
The Evolution of Radio Part II. The Schenectady Antique Radio Club. Retrieved from http://dadellers.tripod.com/index.html
Adams, Mike. A Century of Radio. Retrieved from http://www.californiahistoricalradio.com/100years.html
Govier, Gordon. Rock & Roll and Radio News. Retrieved from http://www.radioscribe.com/formats2.html
RADIO – A BREAKTHOUGH IN MASS COMMUNICATION. Retrieved from http://www.zainbooks.com/books/mass-communication/introduction-to-mass-communication_30_radio%E2%80%93a-breakthrough-in-mass-communication.html
Part 2
Dominick, J. (2009). The Dynamics of Mass Communication: Media in the Digital Age. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Higher Education
-In the 1930s there were basically three types of radio stations: the large networks, the network afilliates,and the idependent stations.
Dizard, Wilson, Jr. Old Media New Media: Mass Communications in The Information Age. New York: Longman, 2000.
Radios in the book show power in many different forms, whether it be propaganda, the ability to know of the outside world or just owning a radio, sets one higher than those without.
American society as a whole was more informed about current events, due to easy access of newspapers and radios in the 1920s, which helped in the spread of conspiracies about Earhart’s disappearance. the 1920s the first radios were used recreationally by the average American and eventually sold 5 million sets a year by 1929 (Musser). Despite high numbers of radio sales, there were many Americans who prefered to read news from newspapers (Musser). The success of the first “talkie newsreel” of Charles Lindbergh taking off for his transatlantic flight causing many studios to create their own “talkie newsreels” (Musser). “Talkie newsreels” were simply a short film about current events (Musser). The last known communications before Earhart’s plane mysteriously disappeared over the pacific were spread throughout many different news outlets, such as the Atchison Daily Globe (Webb).
This investigation evaluates the significance of the role the media played in helping the Allie Forces win World War Two. To be specific, World War Two occurred between the years of 1939 to 1945. A brief synopsis of the developments of media outlets and their importance prior to the war will be investigated. Leaders of all the Allie Forces will be evaluated in this essay. The essay will focus primarily on the rise of media impact on the citizens of the United States, France and the United Kingdom. The Soviet Union will be mentioned but only minor. Two of the sources used in this essay Freedom Forge: How American Business Produced Victory in World War Two by Arthur Herman and World War II in Europe by World Book: Chicago are evaluated and used in this essay.
The article that appeared in Fortune entitled “Radio’s Stern Challenge” by John Helyar discusses Sirius’ marketing strategy to not only take market share from the entrenched and free terrestrial radio industry but also to beat its only competitor, XM. The Fortune article presents how a fat and lazy radio industry has failed to react to an eroding listening base and an increasing number of competing technologies. Issues like lack of attention to programming, no on-air talent, and an increase of 166% in the time devoted to commercials have driven listeners away from radio. Teens aged 12-17 spend 11% less time listening to radio compared to five years ago and adults 18-24 spend 13% less time compared to five years ago (Helyar, 2004). The article further discusses that terrestrial radio has much to fear from competing technologies like satellite radio, streaming digital radio on the Internet, and Apple’s iPod. What terrestrial radio does have in its favor is that it’s free compared to any of the current competing technologies like satellite radio.
The commercialization of radio significantly changed the entire radio/broadcast medium. In the early days of radio, companies did not believe that broadcasting entertainment and news programs could generate revenue and become profitable.
There are about 16,000 radio stations in the united states. Some of the most popular radio stations, whether it be comedy,music, news, conservative talk, have up to 5 million listeners. Radio broadcasters can easily have their thoughts and opinions heard by going to work. Immediately their 5 million committed listeners are impacted, ...
The 1920's brought many advancements in technology which allowed Americans to entertain themselves at home; the radio was one of them. The radio was actually developed before the 1920's; however, it was banned during World War I and allowed to reappear after the Prohibition ended in 1919 (Events 72). After the Prohibition ended, and radio broadcasting was being brought back to life, many people started up their first stations, like Frank Conrad (Events 72). Frank Conrad's first broadcast consisted of the Presidential Election results (Events 72). As Conrad was one of the first people to broadcast, KDKA was one of the first radio stations to appear in the Unite...
Walker, Jesse. Rebels on the air: an alternative history of radio in America. New York: New York University Press, 2001. Print.
During the week of class 17 The Radio Star, the required reading was called, ‘Speaking into the Air: A History of the Idea of Communication’ by John Durham Peters. The text touches base on the topic of the radio in specific broadcasting communication signals. The radio has changed the way society receives information in ways that are more quick and efficient. Society is now able to listen in on live radio broadcasts in the convenience of their car while driving to school or work. This is especially helpful when it comes to traffic reports. 680 news is my go to radio station while driving. It allows me to be cautious and aware of what routes to avoid.
Nearly everyone uses radio waves in some form day after day. The technologies that depend on them is vast and ever-growing. These technologies range from cordless phones and garage door openers to radar and microwave ovens. Radio is not a dead technology either. It is constantly having research devoted to it and new technologies and innovations are coming about from this research. The trend towards wireless internet and more versatile cellular phones are just some examples. Ironically, the fundamentals of radio waves is relatively simple (atleast when compared to the vast array of technologies that now implement it).
Mass Media. Ed. William Dudley. Farmington Hills, MI: Thompson Gale, 2005. 121-130.
The radio accommodated people’s desire to have fun by introducing them to a new entertainment experience. People could now listen to news, music, entertainment shows, and weather forecasts. Families would gather around the radio for night-time entertainment. (Radio in the 1920s) People would schedule their day-to-day activities around popular radio shows. Young individuals started to dance to the most current jazz music and ministers would broadcast their Sunday sermons to many listeners. (Radio Craze, Class Zone) The radio offered free entertainment in the home which was a blessing for the ill, the restricted, parents of small children, and those merely fatigued after a day's labor. Additionally, people were now able to share this source of entertainment with everyone. Radio “entertainment shows resembling vaudeville stage shows, short skits, and live comedy acts… (were) popular family entertainment.” (The history of radio and the 1920′s radio craze, 2011) However, radio had some ne...
Thirty years ago, if I told you that the primary means of communicating and disseminating information would be a series of interconnected computer networks you would of thought I was watching Star Trek or reading a science fiction novel. In 2010, the future of mass media is upon us today; the Internet. The Internet is and will only grow in the future as the primary means of delivering news, information and entertainment to the vast majority of Americans. Mass media as we know it today will take new shape and form in the next few years with the convergence and migration of three legacy mediums (Television, Radio, Newspaper) into one that is based on the Internet and will replace these mediums forever changing the face of journalism, media and politics. In this paper I will attempt to explain the transition of print media to one of the internet, how the shift to an internet based media environment will impact journalism and mass media, and how this migration will benefit society and forever change the dynamic of news and politics.