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The only nonvisual art form besides music,
the radio has had a powerful impact on the world.

The first known radio broadcast in the U.S.
was made by Reginald A, Fessenden in Brant Park,
Massachusettson December 24,1906. This did not
open the radio to the potential that it had until after
World War I. In 1916 David Sarnoff had an idea of
a receiver in every home. He later became the head
of NBC.

There is a dispute over to which station was
the first to go on the air. KQW of San Jose,
California claimed the honor starting in 1912.
However, the first successful commercial radio
station was KDKA in Pittsburgh. It went on the air
on November 2, 1920. By the end of 1921 30
stations had sprung up and kepy growing to about
500 stations a year later.

KDKA also was the first to hire a full time
announcer whose name was Harold W. Arlin, who
later became the first sportscaster to do play by
play of a football game.

The first commercial went out on WEAF in
New York City in 1922. WGN Chicago was the first
to broadcast national political convention.

During the depression the radio became a
unexpensive way for family entertainment. In 1932
Franklin D. Roosevelt used the radio to make
speeches when running for President.

With World War II the prosperity returned
but the radio kept its loyalties. Television was
introduced shortly after the war but the usual radio
programming lasted until the 1950's. Soon the
programming began going to the television.

Today radio programming is mostly disc
jockeys playing various kinds of music. There also is
news programs, talk shows, sports events, and public
service programs.