The golden era of radio was one that made a long lasting impression on the entire world. It created a wireless connection throughout countries. Radio made its big splash into communications in the 1920’s. “In the early day radio had three patterns to the day, news and commentary, daytime serial drama, and quiz and audience participation programs (Sterling, p. 201).” The golden era of radio created a social revolution along with a shared American culture.
“American boys and men connected themselves umbilically by headphones to a small black box powered by batteries (Douglas, p.195).” The golden era of radio was actually a cultural and social revolution coming from the power of wireless communication. In many ways the radio was to culture and society what mass production had been to commerce and industry. When public radio was introduced the world began to shrink and geographical and social boundaries began to disappear, in short the seeds of globalization were sown. Cultural integration occurred and the information age began. However, such revolutionary takeover did not occur overnight, public radio had to stray from military influence, fight a war with print media, fight FCC (Federal Communications Commission) regulations, find sources of finance, then remove itself from the control of advertisers and finally triumph with instant news reporting during World War II. “The Broadcasting House, considered by Germany a military target, was bombed several times, and destroyed the BBC’s library (Edwards, p. 51).” The golden era of radio had all the ingredients of social revolution. It appealed to the common people, gave them a forum to voice their opinions on entertainment, propaganda, religion and politics. For the uninformed it was a source of education and there was a lot of emotion involved. People felt intimate with radio stars and celebrities, people absorbed every word that was said on air and during the Great Depression and World War II it was their source of solace and comfort. The radio during its golden age had become a family member and was more prized than any other possession an average family had.
Radio evolved as a mass entertainment and communication medium and in its wake it created corporations which would influence public opinion and perceptions for decades. Marketing strategies of companies changed as the radio emerged and advisers found ways to make people buy things they didn’t need. “People started to use radio as an advertising medium (Hilmes, p. 207).” Such was the impact of radio on advertising that the whole economy depended on convincing advertisements in the newspaper and especially on the radio to sell products. The radio was the new medium and an advertisement on the radio implied the products superiority. From the radio developed early theories on fashion and trends together with consumer behavior. Popular culture together, with its trends and fashions evolved during this time
Previously American families played music and sang songs rather than listen to recorded music and music played on the radio. The music creation culture of the American family was lost when radio took over. People were now content to just listen to music on the radio and become passive listeners rather than active participants. The separation of entertainment from homes to the radio brought about the still prevailing celebrity culture and national entertainment. People now turned to radio stations for music, drama, commentary, comedy and soaps operas. People who could not afford concert and drama tickets and people who lived in remote areas had access to an entertainment medium. The growth of radio networks encouraged the rise of national culture and identity. Educational and inspirational programs were still being aired but the main emphasis was on light comedies, popular music and variety. Current affair analysis and serious dramas were aired very infrequently. The American public came to know the radio as being less of a learning medium than an entertainment medium.
The golden era of radio supported the US through many wars. It created a social revolution and a shared American culture. People should be grateful for radio, radio started the revolution that we have now and all of the media. Radio was an outstanding medium for things to come. People were able to connect through information gathered from listening to the radio. Radio was the start to a new era.