EOTO 1 Presentation

The Radio

The radio was first invented by Guglielmo Marconi in 1899. He was an Italian innovator the first discovered radio waves by transmitting frequencies. Despite his great discovery, the radio never received any attention until Reginald Fessenden revolutionized it by emitting the first long distance radio broadcast in 1906. He was able to broadcast the results sailing race from Long Island all the way the Virginia which led to people experimenting to the radio. Eventually, Edwin Armstrong discovered the FM radio waves and was able to take large broadcasts and move them into smaller channels. 

Marconi, Fessenden, and Armstrong improved on the development of the radio because they saw the convenience and effectiveness of the radio as a form of communication, especially long distance. In addition to revolutionizing communication, the radio provided a platform for news, political communication, sporting events, and music. For example, the first presidential debate took place on a radio broadcast. This is a culturally significant moment because it marked a long lasting tradition of a two presidential candidates debating for the whole country to watch or listen. The most effective use of the radio was displayed through President Franklin D. Roosevelt's famous "Fireside Chats." FDR would sit next to a fire and effectively update the entire country about the state of World War II. This greatly increased morale throughout the country which led to the United States winning the war.