Radio in the 1920's

Radio broadcasting began in 1920. At this time few people had actually heard the voices and music which was produced due to the lack of radio receivers at this time. However, it was possible for the public to hear the initial podcast. Soon after Radio became a mass product in the market world. Due to the overwhelming demand, manufacturers were constantly selling out. Customer began to stand in line to complete order forms so they could receive a radio at a later time when the dealers had run out. In fact, between 1923 and 1930, 60% of Americans had purchased radios. The radio became a social gathering for late-night events for almost all of the families that had acquired radios. This increase in radio amounts also lead to the increase of radio stations. By 1922, 600 radio stations and appeared in the United States. With stations trying to compete, station owners saw the need to diversify their programming. To compete with other stations to be unique, they began broadcasting popular interests such as sporting events, lectures, popular music, classical music, market updates, newscast, weather reports, and political commentary. However, the advance of radio technology also created a tension between modernity and the traditions and habits of Americans.

This rapid growth of radio listeners and the creation of more and more programs lead to extreme confusion and disruption. Many radio programs overlapped. Families with radios were frequently interrupted by overlapping programs. Radio announcers, stations, and DJ’s, worked majority on a non-profit basis. In fact, Advertising was not even introduced until later in the 1920s. Radio stations, listeners, and emerging broadcasting corporations all asked the government for some sort of intervention to stop what the radio had become. The government responded very slowly, eventually passing laws to govern the radio.  The Federal Radio Commission was setup in 1926. The Radio Act of 1927 organized this commission.  As the government spent more time investigating radio stations, apportioning time to different groups and programs, and monitoring the growth of the radio industry. They became more and more comfortable with the responsibilities of regulation. The Act became the basis for the Communications Act passed after the rise of television.