Birth of Radio
Introduction Upon taking and completing the course, “The Telecommunications Revolution” I have come to know many fascinating facets of the conception and implementation of the radio. ... Just by picking up a phone receiver or tuning into our favorite radio station, we have no idea of what led to this vast and extraordinary means of communication. ... We rely on radio to assist us with keeping abreast of weather conditions, sports events, social events, traffic conditions and much, much more. Radio has become one of fastest growing and mainstream means of communication that we utilize today. Let’s, however, not forget television that radio had to contend with. “Although radio’s dominant position in entertainment was taken over by television in the 1950’s, it is still an important broadcast medium. ... Radio is important for music, news and discussion-based programs. ... I will dwell upon radio since its inception in the 1830’s and direct your attention to some of the early inventors who made this marvelous listening device(s) possible for public enjoyment. I will also expound on some of our modern day communications and inform you of future plans for the continued existence and success of radio. The birth of radio in the early 1830’s was the beginning of something special. ... In 1879, Anglo –American inventor David Hughes (1831-1900) demonstrated the reception of radio signals from a spark transmitter located some hundreds of yards away. ... Italian wireless telegraph pioneer Guglielmo Marconi, often referred to as the “Father of Radio,” (1874-1937) found that this distance was not sufficient for wireless telegraphy, so he used Hertz’s spark transmitter and installed a small antenna. Marconi also used additional instruments to detect the waves, which included a crystal detector, which was the first semi-conductor device in radio. Marconi had the wealth and time to pursue his fascination with radio. ... There were others who tried to capitalize upon the idea of radio. ... Fessenden suggested that radio waves not be sent out in bursts – which helped with Morse code – but rather as a continuous waved that could be superimposed. ... In the Early stages, radio grew without control. Something had to be done to ensure that radio would be governed with some organization. ... “The first congressional law to mention radio was passed in 1910 and required all ships holding fifty (50) passengers to carry radios for safety purposes. ... Congress promulgated and act that would necessitate anyone transmitted over the radio to obtain appropriate licensing. ... “Shortly after the sinking of the Titanic, Congress passed a radio act that emphasized safety and required everyone who transmitted on radio waves to obtain a license from the Secretary of Commerce.