Still life of an AM-FM radio, circa By Merrill Fabry. Related Stories. Already a print subscriber? Go here to link your subscription. Radio communications were not very clear, so operators typically relied on the use of Morse code messages. This was of great benefit to vessels in the water, particularly during emergency situations.
With World War I, the importance of the radio became apparent and its usefulness increased significantly. During the war, the military used it almost exclusively and it became an invaluable tool in sending and receiving messages to the armed forces in real time, without the need for a physical messenger. Radio and the s In the s, following the war, civilians began to purchase radios for private use.
Across the U. In , the Westinghouse Company applied for and received a commercial radio license which allowed for the creation of KDKA. KDKA would then become the first radio station officially licensed by the government.
It was also Westinghouse which first began advertising the sale of radios to the public. While manufactured radios were finding their way into the mainstream, home-built radio receivers were a solution for some households. This began to create a problem for the manufacturers who were selling pre-made units. Despite his young age, he was enthralled by the concept of radio and excited to explore the technology himself. When he turned to the RCA for help with his invention, Armstrong was friends with the Sarnoff at the time.
The battle for the airwaves left the two men as bitter rivals. Armstrong even had issues trying to convince the world that he was the original creator of FM radio. In , Edwin lost his patent for the regenerative circuit, as a man called Lee De Forest had patented the same invention in Armstrong spent approximately 21 years in and out of courts in his pursuit of better radio technology for the masses.
In the meantime, he also continued to innovate, delivering solutions to countless problems with radio technology. When Armstrong eventually introduced the FM radio to the world in , customers and listeners were blown away by its rich, clear quality.
When he lobbied to the FCC to create his FM broadcast spectrum between 42 and 50 MHz, Armstrong may have assumed that his troubles were soon to being over. Everyone who heard the FM radio frequency was astounded by its potential. These unique broadcasts could deliver something so much better than anyone had ever heard before. In , Edwin Armstrong jumped to his death from his apartment in New York City, found on the thirteenth floor. Though his tale ended in tragedy, Edwin Armstrong has remained one of the most important people in radio history to date.
In , Norway changed telecommunications history by shutting off their FM radio frequency signal. The switch-off came as part of a comprehensive move to digital broadcasting. Unfortunately, however, many of the citizens of Norway were against the concept. The move away from traditional broadcasting meant that citizens had to buy adapters, and critics argued that the government was rushing the move to digital. Similar criticisms took place in the United States during , when Congress pushed television broadcasters to eliminate analog television signals.
Over the years, other countries have considered dropping the FM broadcasting frequency, including Switzerland, and Britain. According to the BBC, they believed there was no need to force millions of daily listeners to switch to digital transmission. He has urged broadcasters to work to ensure the survival of the media, stating that switching off analogue broadcasting could restrict listener choices.
The FM radio frequency is crucial for everything from entertainment, to space communications. I agree to the privacy and terms. The top Christmas radio stations all year round. Forgotten Christmas songs: The Old Christmas songs you forgot about. Christmas one-hit wonders: Festively famous Christmas hits!
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She is known for her independent films and documentaries, including one about Alexander Graham Bell. Featured Video. Cite this Article Format. Bellis, Mary.
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