History of radio not most exciting topic.
Radio is so yesterday.But the drama of a burgeoning enterprise, growing from coast to coast and reaching millions of people cannot be reproduced in a classroom.
From Marconi's baby steps to David Sarnoff (left) and his gutsy entry into the network business, through the radio network war with William Paley, intrigue filled the airwaves. The competition for talent between Paley and Sarnoff brought us a plethora of vaudeville acts and new talent such as Bing Crosby and Kate Smith. Listeners loved the competition because it meant better talent would be on the airwaves.
The early invention by Lee DeForest (right) enabled transmission and subsequent improvements, and BINGO, the Golden Age of Radio happened. It's one of those "you'd have to be there" moments. I remember sitting with my grandmother and listening to "I Love a Mystery" and imagining eerie things and shuddering at the drama. We stared at the radio as we listened, believe it or not.
That doesn't happen anymore. Radio has lost its glitter and glamor and become a collection of sound-alike stations owned by giant corporations existing to provide advertising to the target of each station. Any semblance of creativity or original thought has disappeared, in my opinion. Click here to tell me what you think.
The video in class today made you aware of the power of radio at the time of its growth: the need by the public to escape from the Depression angst with the humor of comedians like Amos and Andy, who reached 40 million people. That's a bigger audience than Rush Limbaugh's. The genius of Abbott and Costello and the famous "Who's on First" routine. The Big Band programs that provided music to places like my home town.
The coverage of WWII by radio correspondents was monumental. No other medium could capture the moment as well. Newspapers had to wait for wire reports. There was no TV or Internet. So, we learned about the war through Edward R. Murrow (left) report after the war and his cohorts and through newsreels in theaters. These newsreels were usually weeks old and contained a lot of government-approved information.
"War of the Worlds" showed the power of radio when hundreds ran into the streets after hearing that a space ship had landed in New England. Orson Welles had to go into hiding for awhile.
The Hindenburg Disaster showed the power of radio.
And reassuring Fireside Chats from President Franklin D. Roosevelt kept a war-weary citizenry feel more secure during the long war. (The current wars have lasted longer, but we don't get the same kind of reporting today.)
So there you have it. Radio in a nutshell. It still holds a place in an advertiser's desire to reach specific target audiences, but that's about it. If you look on the Class: Radio site at commercials and listen to a few, you will see the difference.
So, if you snoozed through class (and I certainly understand the possibility) you can relive what you missed by clicking on the links above.
See you Thursday.