The World Economic Forum is calling for more direct action to end the pending food crisis. Amazing how that is timed with Oregon and Idaho water restrictions and Michigan Avian Flu crisis. Want fries with the grasshopper burger?
Nearly 100 Years Ago New Medium Was Born
YouTube can bring up some marvelous things in the rotation of topics. Recently I have seem conversations regarding “Art Right”, a movement of artists formerly of the left who feel empowered now that the establishment has taken a severe blow, who support tearing down the constraining control that the collectivists have imposed on us ala Severed Conscience.
These artists have you qualms embracing the technology of the age and wielding for their purposes. Retaining sovereignty, they use technology, not the other way around. So many embrace AI Art generation and have experimented. One of these trends is Art Deco from the 1920s
https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Popular-Radio/Popular-Radio-1925-01.pdf
There are parallels to the exuberance that many feel today with technology that tracks with the emergence of radio in the early 1920s.
The Transformation of Radio
- Initial Skepticism: Perry recounts his initial perception of radio as a technology reserved for emergencies, similar to a fire extinguisher or a lifeboat. He expresses doubts about his ability to receive messages using a simple, inexpensive outfit. This highlights the prevailing view of radio as a specialized tool rather than a device for everyday use.
- The Thrill of Discovery: However, his perspective changes dramatically upon successfully assembling his receiver and experiencing the “thrill of a lifetime” when receiving a message directly from the U.S. Navy. This personal anecdote underscores the transformative power of experiencing radio communication firsthand, shifting his view from skepticism to fascination.
- From Pastime to Essential Tool: As Perry gains proficiency in Morse code and expands his station’s capabilities, radio evolves from a hobby into an integral part of his daily life, providing access to weather forecasts, global news, and even baseball scores. Radio is “not a passive sport” but an active and engaging experience. This transformation foreshadows radio’s future role as an indispensable source of information and entertainment for the masses.
Demystifying Radio Technology
- Simplified Explanations: Perry provides clear, non-technical explanations of how radio receivers function, making complex concepts like electromagnetic waves, detectors, and ground wires accessible to a general audience. He uses relatable analogies, comparing radio waves to ripples on a pond and the detector to a valve controlling the flow of electricity.
- Experimentation and Exploration: The article chronicles Perry’s journey of learning through experimentation, gradually expanding his understanding of radio theory by joining a YMCA class and obtaining a government license as a radio operator. This highlights the accessibility of early radio technology, encouraging readers to engage in their own exploration and discovery.
- Emphasis on Affordability: Perry stresses that his radio adventures can be repeated by anyone with a few dollars worth of apparatus. The technology was within reach of the average person.
The Expanding World of Radio Content
- Diversity of Programming: Perry’s listening experiences showcase the growing diversity of radio content available in the early 1920s, ranging from music and amateur conversations to government broadcasts and international news. He describes receiving messages from various nationalities and tuning in to transatlantic conversations, demonstrating the global reach of radio communication.
- The Impact of Live Events: Perry vividly describes the excitement of listening to a live description of the Dempsey-Carpentier prize fight, highlighting the power of radio to connect audiences to real-time events. A world was being brought to peoples’ living rooms.
The Future of Radio: Reshape Society
- A Transformative Force: Perry concludes by predicting that radio will become an increasingly important part of everyday life, as essential as the daily newspaper. He emphasizes the transformative potential of radio to connect people, provide information, and offer a new form of entertainment.
- A Catalyst for Innovation: The article hints at the future possibilities of radio, suggesting that ongoing advancements will lead to even more compact and versatile devices, potentially enabling reporters to broadcast live from the field.
The Loose Coupler
The loose coupler, a tuning device, enabled listeners to select specific stations and reduce interference from other signals.
Improving Audio
The vacuum tube detector also made it possible to amplify the received signal, resulting in much louder sound output.
New Technology, But Your Imagination Remained Active
In 1925, religion became a point of debate regarding programming that was available. Armstrong Perry wrote another article on how consolidation of stations may bring about primarily religious programming.
https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Popular-Radio/Popular-Radio-1925-01.pdf
Despite the rise of centralized broadcasting, the audio medium left you in the driver’s seat with respect to visualizing what was sent over the radio waves to you.
It’s interesting to note that even in the 1920s, there was a concern that too much centralization would eliminate choice.
If the broadcasting stations are reduced in number and the
religious interests control them, we may at times be forced to
listen -in on church propaganda or nothing.