Reading Response #2

Kelsey  Hyde
Lapoe
MC 4095
7 May 2012

The Role of Radio Throughout History

            Radio first came about as a news medium by various driving forces. The progression of radio from electric telegraphy to wires to wireless communication was in large part due to different inventors who took ideas from others and expanded on it due to the lack of patents. Known as the pioneers of electronic technology, Faraday and Morse were the main figures associated with the development of telegraphy. “Whereas printing was hampered by the requirement that it can be carried physically from place to place, the telegraph allowed information to be transmitted instantaneously by wire” (Sloan, 2011, p. 349).

            The real kicker was how Titanic contributed to the passing of the Wireless and Radio Acts of 1912. This event catapulted radio technology into national prominence. The Titanic sent out an emergency transmission over the wires after colliding with an iceberg. The Carpathia, roughly 58 miles from the scene, received the message. They arrived too late though. Why didn’t other ships receive the Titanic’s cry for help? This caused the realization that every boat should carry radio capability. Sloan recognized “the role that radio could play in ship safety on the high seas and to the need for laws governing emergency transmissions” (Sloan, 2011, p. 351). It is weird to think about when radio technology would have surfaced if the disastrous collision of the Titanic had not occurred. Would it have slowed down the process for technological advancement so much that the Nixon and Kennedy debates would not have been televised? Therefore, Nixon would have had a greater chance of winning the election since he was perceived as a better candidate on the radio than on television according to the majority of voters. This event in time is so important because without the attention it drew to the importance of radio and advancement of technology, who knows where we would be right now.

            Another ground breaking reveal of the necessity for radio involved the sci-fi book “War of the Worlds” being told on the radio. Oren Wells told the story on broadcast radio. Some listeners tuned in late and believed that this phenomenon was actually occurring in real life. This is when society realized the magnum and the significance of the radio to which they have the potential to reach millions of people. This is important because it showed potential of world power media effects. This is when the media really started making a name for itself worldwide and inspired others to not only take advantage of it, but to expand on it.

            In conclusion, radio took off as a critical news medium soon after these events and served as a source of political information (Roosevelt’s fireside chats) and a source of entertainment when sporting events, etc. were broadcasted. Radio was a cheap form of advertisement and communication too. It is interesting how the vital role of radio from the past has changed to today’s society tuning in to talk radio morning shows on the way to work. Even though it is overlooked at times today when compared to social media giants and the advancement of television technology, people must not forget radio’s impact on America. History would be so different without Stubblefield’s invention of the radio.