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Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell had a small theory of electromagnetism.
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German physicist Heinrich Hertz became was the first to show these waves in a laboratory setting, effectively discovering radio waves. He did not foresee a practical application for his discovery.
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Building on Hertz's work, Guglielmo Marconi developed the first of long-distance wireless communication, a wireless telegraph.
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Marconi achieved a historic milestone by transmitting the first transatlantic radio signal from Cornwall, England, to Newfoundland, Canada, proving radio's potential for long-distance communication.
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Reginald Fessenden made the first audio radio broadcast, transmitting voice and music on Christmas Eve, demonstrating that radio could carry more than just Morse code. -
KDKA in Pittsburgh became one of the first commercial radio stations in the U.S., broadcasting the results of the presidential election and marking the beginning of regular, commercial broadcasting -
The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) was formed, establishing the first major radio network, followed shortly by the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS). -
This period is known as the "Golden Age of Radio," featuring a wide range of programming, including comedy, drama, variety shows, and news, drawing millions of listeners.
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Edwin Armstrong developed FM (frequency modulation) radio technology, which offered superior sound quality and less static interference than AM (amplitude modulation). The technology was slow to catch on but gained popularity in the 1960s.