The Early Days of Radio Broadcasting

by George H. Douglas

Overview

Precisely how and why radio developed as it did is a fascinating story, told with authority in this book. Of interest to both the specialist and the general reader, this history concentrates on the years between 1920 and 1930 in the United States when radio was rapidly growing and changing. It covers all important areas in the development of the radio industry: business, programming, regulation, finance, the manufacturing of radio sets and equipment, the development of technology, the rise of networks, and the flowering of radio as a medium of entertainment and news.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786411993
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	01/10/2002
Series:	McFarland Classics
Edition description:	ALTERNATE
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.51(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

George H. Douglas, a retired English professor, has written a number of books about American people and places. He lives in Champaign, Illinois.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Introduction
 1. KDKA
 2. The Radio Rage
 3. Up from the Crystal Set
 4. The Rise of the Radio Announcer
 5. A Million Sets Are Sold
 6. The Beckoning Hand of Advertising
 7. The Wavelength Wars
 8. The Birth of Radio News
 9. Sportscasting in the Twenties
10. Networks
11. The Educational Stations
12. Classical Radio Music: The Cultural Windfall
13. The Sounds of Popular Music 
14. The Expanding Broadcast Day
15. “Amos ’n’ Andy”
16. Radio Reprise
Notes
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

delightful...informative...detailed...recommended”—Choice; “detailed…myriad subjects are covered extensively and clearly…fascinating…makes this period come alive with his colorful, persuasive writing”—Classic Images; “extremely well detailed...worthwhile...captivating...thoroughly researched...entertaining anecdotes flow in abundance...fun...informative”—Past Times; “lively...exciting...informative...recommended”—Big Reel; “of interest to both the specialist and the general reader. It covers all important areas in the development of the radio industry...fascinating...an excellent job of covering the territory in considerable detail without sacrificing continuity and drama”—DX News; “jam packed with facts and figures…a must have…delves into the era before the ‘Golden Age’ and gives insight as to how that entertainment medium eventually developed”—The Illustrated Press; “meticulously researched...enlightening”—Radio & Electronics World; “an excellent source of information about broadcasting in the early 20’s”—Radio Active; “lively...interesting”—The Monitoring Magazine; “engaging...compelling depiction”—Back Stage; “well researched”—SPERDVAC Radiogram; “meticulously researched and contain[s] a wealth of detail”—Mayland Public Radio; “contains everything you wanted to know”—Hello Again; “lively and interesting...makes for good reading”—Popular Communications.

From the Publisher

extremely well detailed...worthwhile...captivating...thoroughly researched...entertaining anecdotes flow in abundance...fun...informative

Past Times

detailed...myriad subjects are covered extensively and clearly...fascinating...makes this period come alive with his colorful, persuasive writing

Classic Images

delightful...informative...detailed...recommended

Choice

A fine selection of rare photos and a very thorough bibliography.... Douglas transmits the story on a strong literary frequency. Our reception is clear.

Big Reel

Meticulously researched...enlightening.

Radio & Electronics World

An excellent source of information about broadcasting in the early 20's.

Radio Active

Lively...interesting.

Monitoring Magazine

Engaging...compelling depiction.

Back Stage

Well researched...a specialized work.

Sperdvac Radiogram

Meticulously researched and contain[s] a wealth of detail.

Mayland Public Radio

Contains everything you wanted to know about radio from 1920–1930.

Hello Again

Llively and interesting focus...makes for good reading.

Popular Communications