early radio
Marconi-era broadcasting medium
Early radio refers to the period of radio broadcasting from roughly the 1920s through the 1940s, before television became dominant.
The era is associated with distinctive programming—serial dramas, variety shows, news bulletins, and fireside chats—and with the crackling, low-fidelity sound of AM transmission: My grandmother talks about gathering around the radio like we do with streaming now.
The phrase often carries nostalgic connotations.
- radiotelegraphyCoded transmission via radio waves
- broadcast towerStructure for sending signals
- golden agePeriod of peak prosperity
- vacuum tubeEvacuated electronic amplifier
- crystal setBasic radio receiver
Nikola Tesla · radiotelephony · electromagnetic waves · call letters · ship to shore · signal · tubes · receiver · tuning dial · crackling · transmitter · Marconi · wireless · wavelength · airwaves · dial · broadcast · antenna
early radiopodcasts
Episodic digital audio programs
streaming media · streaming audio · digital radio · satellite radio · smart speakers
early radiotwo-way communication
Reciprocal information exchange
social media · interactive media · user-generated content · citizen journalism · live chat