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RadioRadio is a technology that allows people to broadcast audio through radio waves. Radio began as an experimental tool and recreational hobby in the early 1900s. Many scholars say commercial radio arrived in 1920 with a station in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, that broadcast the results of that year's presidential election hours before newspapers reported them, though others point to earlier, albeit smaller, stations that broadcast in the 1910s.
The year 1925 brought both the first live broadcast of a presidential inauguration and the premiere of "Barn Dance," later renamed the "Grand Ole Opry," the country's longest-running radio show. By 1929, there were 630 radio stations in the United States and 12 million radio sets in use. In 1933, President Franklin Roosevelt debuted the first of his "Fireside Chats," a series that demonstrated radio's political power.
FM radio was invented in the 1930s but grew in popularity in the 1960s by offering higher-quality audio, more adventurous programming, and more options for listeners. Despite the arrival of podcasts and streaming services over the last few decades, radio remains a popular medium, with 84% of American adults listening to it every week.Explore Radio
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A Harvard radio station once dedicated 24 hours to JandekThe enigmatic singer-songwriter plays atonal dirges that are haunting or horrible, depending on your taste. He has self-released over 120 albums but rarely performs live, preferring to conceal his true identity. In 2003, a Harvard radio station aired the "Jandek Orgy," which included his fans debating his identity, lyrics, and philosophy. ChronA professor explains how podcasts built on radio's strengthsWhen podcasts were first produced in the early 2000s, they were often recordings of radio shows aimed at listeners who wanted to listen outside of the broadcast windows. Siobhan McHugh, an associate professor of journalism at Australia's University of Wollongong, argues that the form is built on radio's intimacy, amplifying the connection listeners feel with their favorite hosts. UNESCOHow Lyndon Johnson created public radioThe Public Broadcasting Act of 1967, part of the president's Great Society plan, established the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which later led to the incorporation of National Public Radio. Originally, the bill was intended solely to establish public television; before Johnson signed the act, slips of paper reading "and radio" were literally Scotch-taped next to each mention of "television." NPRHow underground radio revitalized rock 'n' rollEarly FM was a wasteland and quickly became the domain of amateurs and risk-takers, including many stations and DJs who played music that flew in the face of mainstream trends. This history of the band's scrappy beginnings unpacks how it realigned the rock charts. PopMattersWhy Edwin Armstrong developed FM radioAM radio was popular but prone to interference and static, which could be frustrating for listeners. In 1933, Armstrong, a Columbia University professor, discovered that a clearer signal could be broadcast by revising how it was captured. IEEE REACHA history of the radio jingleAs the radio became a fixture in American households, advertisers recognized the airwaves' commercial potential. Inspired by 19th-century commercially minded poems, the radio jingle was born in 1926 with the ditty "Have You Tried Wheaties?" This guide from the University of Maryland walks you through the evolution of the form, with recordings of its earliest earworms. University of MarylandMany scholars consider the first commercial radio broadcast to be during the 1920 presidential electionOn Nov. 2, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, station KDKA broadcast the results of the presidential election. Leo Rosenberg delivered the news that Warren Harding had won in a landslide to an audience of around 100 people. The ConversationSee a timeline of commercial radio historyRadio, as we know it, began in the 1910s. This FCC timeline traces the evolution of the medium over the century that followed, highlighting groundbreaking broadcasts, speeches, and technological breakthroughs. Federal Communications CommissionThe disputed inventor of the radioGuglielmo Marconi was awarded the 1909 Nobel Prize in physics for inventing the wireless telegraph, which used radio waves to transmit Morse code. Nikola Tesla, however, was experimenting with radio waves in the 1890s, though much of his work was destroyed in a 1895 fire. SciShowHelium formation, from radioactive decay inside Earth to nuclear fusion within stellar coresOver the course of billions of years, uranium and thorium undergo alpha decay, producing helium nuclei—two protons and two neutrons—which become helium atoms after gaining two electrons. This helium becomes trapped in underground reservoirs along with other gases and can be recovered during natural gas extraction. Chemistry in its ElementLess common types of radioactive decay include emitting neutrons and antimatterThrough neutron emission, one or more neutrons are ejected from atoms that have far fewer protons. Neutrons can also be released by artificially inducing the fission, or separation, of a large atomic nucleus into smaller ones. During beta-plus decay, a positron—the antimatter version of an electron—is produced when a proton turns into a neutron. Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety AgencyView the periodic table of radioactive elements, and a list of each's most stable isotopesTechnetium is the lightest artificial radioactive element, which is produced primarily as a byproduct of nuclear fission. Several unstable isotopes are commercially available to medical professionals and scientists, despite their radioactivity risks. ThoughtCoLearn about the 'Goldilocks' of radioisotopes, which can help attack hard-to-treat cancersActinium-225 can be attached to a molecule that binds to cancer antigens, helping it target specific cancers in the body. It emits alpha particles that can damage DNA but do not penetrate deeply, confining the damage to nearby cancer cells. However, annual global production of actinium-225 is less than a grain of sand. Brookhaven National LaboratoryLearn about the applications of radioactivity in medical, academic, and industrial settingsBesides their use for radiometric dating by archaeologists and researchers at museums and universities, radioactive materials are used in sensors that help track ocean currents and analyze pollution, soil, and petroleum products. Radioisotope-based sensors also help measure air in ice cream and prevent spillovers when soda bottles are filled in factories. US Nuclear Regulatory CommissionDistinguishing between natural and artificial, or induced, radioactivityNaturally occurring radioactivity comes from radioactive elements underground, cosmic radiation from the sun and other objects in space, and radioactive atoms that make up the molecules we breathe, eat, and drink. Artificial radioactivity is predominantly generated for medical applications and industrial activities. European Nuclear SocietyHow radioactive isotopes are created and used for medical diagnosticsIn particle accelerators, protons can be accelerated into other atoms to create radioactive isotopes, which can be attached to specific molecules to create radiotracers that are taken up by specific cells. Radiotracers can emit particles that produce light once they collide with an electron, and this light can be captured by a PET scanner to diagnose specific ailments. TED-EdSimulate the decay of a radioactive substance to visualize its half-lifeBy definition, the half-life is the amount of time it takes for half of a radioactive sample to decay. With each half-life that has elapsed, half of the starting sample is left, leaving less to decay each time. This results in the number of undecayed atoms decreasing exponentially, with less stable substances having shorter half-lives and decreasing exponentially more rapidly. AcademoWhy taking potassium iodide to protect against radioactivity is unlikely to be effectiveSince the thyroid gland cannot distinguish between radioactive and non-radioactive iodine, taking potassium iodide pills causes the thyroid to absorb the medication, leaving it unable to take up radioactive iodine from the environment. However, while this protects the sensitive gland against the most prominent radioisotope produced in nuclear accidents, it does not protect other body parts or shield against other radioactive substances. US Centers for Disease Control and PreventionAn overview of radioactivity, which can spontaneously change one element into anotherUnstable atomic nuclei can transmute into a new element—an atom with a different number of protons—by emitting an alpha particle (two protons and two neutrons) or a beta particle (an electron). The electron can emerge from the nucleus when a neutron, which has no charge, suddenly transforms into a proton and an electron, thereby maintaining zero charge before and after the transformation, but altering the original element. TED-EdA map of religious radio stations in the USA Pew analysis of 440,000 hours of broadcasts found more than 4,000 faith-based AM/FM stations reach 98% of American adults (out of a total of 17,000 licensed stations). Ownership is highly concentrated, with the top 30% of stations belonging to large groups; Educational Media Foundation's K-LOVE and Air1 networks alone hold hundreds of licenses nationwide. Pew Research CenterBreaking down the ionosphere, which reflects radio waves from Earth's surfaceMade up of ionized regions within the mesosphere and thermosphere, the ionosphere contains charged particles produced when solar radiation knocks electrons free from atoms and molecules in the atmosphere. Before satellites, radio operators would bounce signals off these regions to wrap around the planet and extend the range of transmissions. University Corporation for Atmospheric ResearchStream live radio from anywhere on EarthSpin a 3D globe and tune into thousands of live radio stations by clicking any dot on the map. The project is seamless and acts as a reminder that somewhere, right now, someone is broadcasting music, news, or a call-in show in a language you've never heard. Radio GardenItems in the Curie Museum do not produce significant radioactivity todayIonizing radiation produced by elements such as uranium, polonium, and radium can damage living things, but the trace amounts found in the museum objects that Marie Curie once touched have been largely decontaminated, with more dangerous items stored in protective, lead-lined containers. SciShowThe continuous decay of radioactive elements regenerates geothermal energy reservesGeothermal power is a renewable energy source derived from Earth's interior, where the core reaches temperatures exceeding 5,000 degrees Celsius (9,000 degrees Fahrenheit). These temperatures result from leftover energy from collisions during planetary formation, with radioactive decay in the core releasing additional energy that travels to the surface. National GeographicNuclear batteries generate electrical currents using radioactive materialsRather than using electrochemical reactions to produce the electrons that flow through a circuit, isotopes like nickel-63 undergo beta decay—emitting electrons—which a semiconducting material can absorb to establish a charge imbalance that generates current. Such batteries could provide low-power energy for decades. IEEE SpectrumFranklin D. Roosevelt used radio to connect directly with Americans through his 'Fireside Chats'Beginning in 1933, FDR harnessed the new medium of radio to explain policies and reassure the public during the Great Depression and World War II. His conversational fireside chats revolutionized presidential communication. White House Historical SocietyRadio waves are used in broadcasting, weather radar, telecommunications, and GPSIts ability to bend around obstacles and reflect off the ionosphere—an electrified layer of Earth's upper atmosphere—allows this type of light to travel long distances without damaging living things due to its low energy. MRI scanners, WiFi, and Bluetooth technologies are also applications of this form of light. Dynamic Engineers, Inc.The organizer of CES originated as the Radio Manufacturers Association in the 1920sThis centennial page explores the Consumer Technology Association’s 100-year history, from its founding in 1924 shortly after the invention of the radio, to its leadership of CES Las Vegas. Read through the history of the wireless age and how it gave birth to a growing consumer electronics movement. TwiceRadio quiz shows took off in the '40sThe concept took hold during the Great Depression, with 50 shows on the air by 1940, because they allowed families to imagine a financial windfall was just a few questions away. Although the genre had a slight downturn during World War II, it experienced a resurgence by the end of the decade, with 200 shows on the air. PBSIn 1938, 1.7 million people were fooled into believing a Martian invasion was underway because of a radio playOrson Welles' realistic radio dramatization of a Martian invasion of Earth, called "The War of the Worlds," caused quite a stir with audiences. The broadcast resulted in panic, with some people in the area where the story took place attempting to flee. It also helped Welles secure a contract with a Hollywood studio, leading to the creation of "Citizen Kane." HISTORYThe Japanese Navy used radio silence and deception to mask its approachIn late November 1941, Japan’s carrier strike force maintained total radio silence while operators back home broadcast normal traffic—creating ambiguity about the location of the fleet. The deception obscured US intelligence and helped create a surprise attack. Military TimesHow radio worksAntennae tune a radio to a particular frequency (determined by the listener on their radio's dial) while tuning out all the other stations being broadcast. AM, short for amplitude modulation, and FM, short for frequency modulation, decode audio signals differently, leading to differences in sound quality and the distance a station can travel. TechquickieBob Hope's radio shows brought stand-up to the massesBob Hope’s 1930s variety shows featured comedic monologues. Unlike the tightly scripted and evergreen sets of vaudeville, Hope’s monologues leaned into topical and political humor, sometimes to the disapproval of his network. Library of CongressRadiometric dating uses radioactive isotopes to determine the age of objectsBy comparing the amounts of parent and daughter isotopes and knowing how long it takes a sample of the former to become the latter, scientists can estimate when an organism was alive or when rocks formed. Ars TechnicaRadioactive waste solutions include glass smelting and dumping into graphite blocksSince radioactive materials can take seconds to millions of years to decay, their disposal or storage requires creative solutions. Besides turning liquid waste into glass or storing medical waste in lead-lined rooms, spent nuclear rods are stored in deep-water pools. SciShowAstatine-211 is a radioisotope that can be used for therapeutic cancer treatmentWith less than 30 grams in the Earth's crust at any given time, astatine is the rarest naturally occurring element. Its decay produces alpha particles that can damage diseased cells with the same impact as 10,000 electrons. US Department of EnergyRadioactive elements can generate electricity, sterilize products, and date artifactsSince their discovery in the 1890s, these substances have been incorporated throughout our daily lives, from treating food packaging and improving microbial safety to their presence in smoke detectors and gauges for ice cream aeration. US Nuclear Regulatory CommissionThe Curies developed a way to measure radioactivity in an old medical dissecting roomDespite lacking proper laboratory conditions, Marie and Pierre built an ionization chamber and a piezoelectric quartz electrometer to measure the amount of charged particles released by radiation, with a sensitivity of ten-trillionth of an ampere. Substances with different emission rates indicated different elements. Google Arts & CulturePierre Curie's knowledge of electromagnetism helped decipher radioactivityAlongside his brother, he studied electric fields in crystals and the magnetic properties of substances, which required the construction of delicate electrometers. He would use this apparatus with Marie Curie to measure radioactive emissions and the presence of undiscovered radioactive elements. Nobel PrizeMarie Curie's research in radioactivity made her the first woman to win a Nobel PrizeOvercoming social and academic barriers, Curie's realization that radiation resulted from an intrinsic property of atoms reframed scientific understanding of the phenomenon. Her subsequent work in discovering two new elements—polonium and radium—earned her a second Nobel Prize. TED-EdMarie Curie pioneered radioactivity research, for which she won two Nobel PrizesMarie Curie and her husband isolated polonium and radium despite poor lab conditions and financial hardship. President Harding, on behalf of the women of America, presented her with one gram of radium in 1921 in recognition of her service to science. Nobel PrizeMarie Curie's work with radioactive materials left traces on her furniture and notesSome of Marie Curie's family heirlooms were radioactive and destroyed. Marie and Pierre Curie are entombed in lead coffins to block radiation. BBCExplore 'The Grand Ole Opry' radio archive"The Grand Ole Opry" changed the course of country music, bringing the music from the mountains and hollers to a nationwide audience through its weekly show. This archive of the radio program offers hundreds of hours of Opry radio programs from several decades of the show's existence. Internet ArchiveRadiohead's chatbot was born over 20 years before ChatGPTLooking for a novel way to promote their 2001 record "Amnesiac," Radiohead began working with ActiveBuddy, the people responsible for the popular SmarterChild chatbot, to create GooglyMinotaur, their own AOL chatbot based on a character based on the album. This oral history offers a deep dive on this fascinating piece of music and tech trivia, demonstrating the band's reliably forward-thinking perspective and providing a window into an early iteration of commercial artificial intelligence. AV ClubIn 2008, Prince covered RadioheadPrince's 2008 headlining set at Coachella is one of the most legendary in the history of the festival—in no small part because of this eight-minute cover of Radiohead's "Creep." His version turns the grunge-era classic into a tortured R&B ballad. dead musiciansA fun analysis of Radiohead's depressive song 'Creep'Radiohead is a highly acclaimed English rock band founded in 1985. The band has sold more than 30 million albums, and their nine full-length albums are critically appreciated. This episode of One Song goes deep into the band's very first single and by far most-listened-to hit: "Creep," a slacker anthem filled with self-loathing and anxiety. Learn the details of the hit indie song here. One Song PodcastIn the 2000s, Dylan began hosting a weekly radio showBob Dylan remained unpredictable, even 40 years into his career. Look no further than his satellite radio show from the 2000s, which found the legendary singer-songwriter riffing on a different theme every week. In this episode that theme is “Nothing.” He talks about Dr. Dre’s “Nuthin’ but a G Thang,” quotes several lines from Shakespeare, and speaks at length about his love for the musical “Porgy and Bess.” It’s a wild, unpredictable ride, just like the rest of his career. YouTubeWhen a radio company was the biggest tech stock aroundThe Radio Corporation of America was the biggest stock during the 1920s. Originally called Marconi Wireless, the company transformed radio technology. The company pioneered broadcasting, created NBC, and became a tech giant. After remarkable growth and challenges, RCA was acquired by General Electric in 1986, marking the end of its 67-year independent existence. FinaeonThe global horse market is worth about $400BIn this podcast episode from a new series on horses, Freakonomics explores the market around buying and selling some of the world's top sport horses, and the nebulous forces that make them so valuable. Freakonomics RadioA man with organ failure used AI to speed discovery of his miracle drugDavid Fajgenbaum had a few months to live after a diagnosis with a rare form of Castleman's disease. By studying his blood, medical records, and broader literature, he was able to identify the cause of his condition and a treatment. He's been in total relapse for ten years. Radiolab
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