The Invention of the Radio 1902-1916

     What were you able to discover, learn, and understand about the invention of the radio by examining primary source evidence in the newspaper archive? What did this topic have to do with Progressivism as a movement in the late 19th century early 20th century America? The Progressive Era is described by Google "was a period of widespread social activism and political reform across the United States, from the 1890s to 1920s." 

     The wireless telegraphy was just the first stepping stone to what now the radio. Invented in 1902 by Guglielmo Marconi the wireless telegraphy opened a new door to communicate not just for the America, but for everyone when helps conducting Transatlantic Radio Communication in 1901 and the Transatlantic Radio Station in 1907. An article named invention of the radio it had that “For more than 50 years the radio was widely used and known to be the first “mass medium” for information.” Back then it was known to the newest thing for technology which was a phenomenon. In an article dated back to 1922 “Radio Set for Every Family Is Inventor’s Prediction” by the Fort Wayne News Sentinel it had talked about how one inventor credited with the invention of the radio Lee De Forest had predictions for the future for families and radios. To be able to read how he had such high hopes for the radio seemed to be hopeful. He wants everyone to benefit from this invention not just himself, by making it easy to use and cheap it helps give people the opportunity to be more educated on what was going on in life (news) and broaden their cultural views (ex. Music). I an article titled the radio it talked about how it helped change the entertainment period for everyone. When reading this article Historic Dates about the Radio published in 1922 the Charlotte Observer I was able to read what people thought about this new invention. For example, in 1907 in New York on the corner of Broadway and 37^th Street the first song was ever played, and how in 1916 the first podcasting of news and music happened on the radio. Because there were endless opportunities for the radio restrictions had to come into play. 

     Yes, the radio progressed in technology and entertainment, but it had also widened the spectrum in culture and how people got their news and information on what was happening in the United States. To make sure there were no interferences with patens, usage, what was said about the government, and what was happening politically the government had to come along and make more laws for people to follow. This invention is just a small example of how progressivism was incorporated in every aspect of the people’s lives.