Radio+History

Broadcasting
 * Explore why Chicago became a broadcasting center for the media of radio and television. Discover its strategic location in sending signals due to the geography of the Midwest. Understand that in the earliest days of radio, content was secondary to the novelty of the medium. Investigate how the sponsorship of established businesses made it possible for early radio stations to survive. Explore prime-time shows and network programming originating in Chicago including the soap opera genre. By the middle of the 20th century, Chicago had turned to local news, children's programming, and the genre of television talk shows.
 * URL: http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org

Free Old Time Radio Shows
 * Did you know that Batman and Superman saved people on radio before moving to television and movie theaters? Other famous people got their start here, too, including Groucho Marx. Maybe you've watched the talent shows on television they began on radio with Arthur Godfrey. If you have media player, you can listen to hundreds of free old radio shows. Listen to mystery stories, funny shows, adventure stories, westerns, science fiction shows, or music. Each program is dated, so you know when it was first heard.
 * URL: http://www.radiolovers.com

Hindenburg Disaster
 * In the radio world the best news can be found when the broadcast captures an event live. The Hindenburg Disaster was one such event. Now you can follow along with reporter Herbert Morrison as he captured this historical tragedy unfolding. The story takes you back and describes the scenario, with details about the recording taking place as this aircraft burst into flames. Learn what happened during the Hindenburg Disaster and the impact this live capture had on the broadcasting industry.
 * URL: http://www.otr.com

On the Shortwaves.com
 * On the Shortwaves is dedicated to the preservation of the history of shortwave broadcasting and the shortwave broadcasting DXing hobby. The home of the Committee to Preserve Radio Verifications, featuring comments, research, book reviews and information for collectors. Follow the link to shortwave history on the net for an extensive listing of resources. In addition, the articles link will provide access to several full text articles about shortwave radio and the history of this technology and hobby.
 * URL: http://pl703.pairlitesite.com

Radio in the 1930's
 * Discover the significance of radio in the 1930s, when most families still bought radios despite the Great Depression. You will learn about its entertainment value, the impact of the Great Depression, and trends around the world. You will also find statistics related to the number of homes with radios, broadcasting around the world, and broadcasting stations. Information on radio stations and the types of programs that were broadcast in the nineteen thirties can also be found along with information on the growth of the radio broadcasting industry.
 * URL: http://www.radiostratosphere.com

Radio Wars
 * Of all the new war machines that were used during World War II, one of the most powerful was the radio. The use of the radio as a weapon in psychological warfare is discusses in this article on the radio stations that used propaganda. You will learn about Axis Sally and her involvement in what was called white propaganda and the radio stations that specialized in black propaganda. You will also learn about the tactics used by Axis Sally to play upon the American soldiers' greatest fears and the tactics used by the black radio stations on the Germans.
 * URL: http://americanradioworks.publicradio.org

The History of... Radio
 * Discover how the invention of an alternator changed radio from a series of dots and dashes to the transmission of voices and music. This article on the history of radio describes the types of communications devices that were used before the invention of the radio as we know it today. You will learn about the inventor of the alternator and the alternator itself, the first broadcast, and the first commercial radio station that was on the air.
 * URL: http://transition.fcc.gov

Who Invented Radio?
 * Two men in different places in the world worked on transmitting wireless radio signals. Both Guglielomo Marconi and Nikola Tesla used their scientific knowledge to experiment with early wireless communication in the late 1800s. This PBS site about Tesla and his work describes the inventions of both men and the patents they applied for. Learn who ultimately got credit for inventing the radio. The site includes much more information about Tesla and his many other inventions and patents.
 * URL: http://www.pbs.org

Wireless World: Marconi & the Making of Radio
 * The wonder of wireless communication began with a man named Marconi. Oxford's Museum of the History of Science describes Marconi's experiments and research that led to the discovery of wireless radio. His work is described in detail and there are images of various pieces of equipment he used. You can see images of documents that include drafts written by Marconi, telegrams and patents. Find out how wireless communication changed the world. You can also learn about wireless communication at sea, during wars and for broadcasting.
 * URL: http://www.mhs.ox.ac.uk