MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2024

 MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2024 - NATIONAL RADIO DAY

Radio changed the world.

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The 20th century is defined by several technological breakthroughs, including radio and television. But before the advent of television, the radio made it possible for people worldwide to learn about each other through news, music, dramas, interviews, and even stories.

The invention of the radio had a more lasting effect on society than most other media ever will. That’s because radio is not just one medium; it is hundreds if not thousands, of different formats all rolled into one.

As we look back on the legacy of this incredible invention, it is essential to recognize the inventors who made it possible and the impact their work has had on the world. Let’s dig into the history of radio.

We all know that radio is a wireless mode of communication. In simple terms, radio io sends messages by radio waves to other devices instead of wires.

Radio made its debut years before World War II. It was mainly used for maritime and aircraft navigation to transmit messages via Morse code. However, during World War II, it became the most popular medium for spreading propaganda news, advertisements, and other entertainment, like music and drama.

As the first successful wireless communication system, the radio played a crucial role in modern communication and led to the development of cable and satellite communication. The invention didn’t just bring people together; it brought them close. The fact that so many programs could be heard simultaneously on one station meant freedom was possible — freedom to move away from your community and experience new things together, whether they were from your own region or from far-off regions.

This was when education and entertainment fused, and people began to realize that there was a whole world in front of them—all thanks to the device that allowed them to learn about other cultures and societies from the comfort of their homes.

Radio has a long and fascinating history and has evolved into an incredibly diverse medium. From old-fashioned AM radio to modern satellite and internet streaming radios, there is much out there to experience. Whether you are looking for music, news, sports, or anything else, radio will likely have what you are looking for.

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The invention of the radio had a more lasting effect on society than most other media ever will. That’s because radio is not just one medium; hundreds, if not thousands, of different formats all rolled into one: reading propaganda news, advertisements, and other entertainment, like music and drama..rams could be heard simultaneously on one station, which meant freedom was possible — freedom to move away from your community and experience new things together, whether they were from your own region or from far off areas..

In the early 1960s, radio took off for me—with Rock and Roll. There were two rad stations in Cedar Rapids: WMT, the more giant station, and KCRG.

WMT was the CBS affiliate and played very little music but had interviews, news, sports, and weather. In terms of sports, I listen to WMT for Iowa Basketball games. Music, when played as more big band and pop - Frank Sinatra, Bing Cosby, Dean Martin, and similar artists.’

Now, WMT was part of my upbringing. Every noon, they h a 15 minute show with Dean Lanfeur - which was live from their studio on the fourth floor of the Paramount Theater building. That was a half undoubtedly from the Dixie Candy store. In the summer, I would frequently go to the program. I once won a set of stainless steel knives from that program.

If the radio was on in our house (which it frequently was), it was on WMT.

On the opposite side of town was KCRG, the country station. I can’t tell you much about KCRG—my family didn’t listen n to the country!

In the early 1960s, as Rock and Roll grew, I started to listen to KXEL out of Waterloo - because my friends were listening to that station. I was precocious, and my sister was into Rock and Roll before I was.

[Aside, my sister (three years older) and her friend snuck myself and a brother to the friend into the Beatles movie - “A Hard Day Night” at the drive-in theater. We were in the trunk (before trunks were built with mechanisms to get out). Once they had parked, they let us out. We “cheated” to drive in theater of income - unchristian!!!]

Beth (my sister) was an early Beatles fan. WMT and KCRG didn’t play the Beatles, but KXEL did (along with the other rock favorites).

When I went to college in 1965, “all” the students were listening to KWNO. There were three colleges in Winona, Minnesota, and rock and roll was big—it took over the campuses. If I wasn’t in class, I studied. My best studying was quietly, but I did listen to a lot of radio.

In the summers, back in Iowa, it was KXEL again. As I drove to work, I listened.

After college, I found stations that played rock and roll. My car radio was set to about three rock stations.

But after getting married and teaching, I didn’t listen to the radio that much. This was pretty much after 1973 (the year Connie and I got married).

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Now, in my car, I rarely listen to standard radio. I listen to a local classical station and Sirius XM radio (Beatles, 60s gold, and 70s gold - and the Symphony Hall presets).

I also listen to audiobooks and symphonies in the car, using the Hoopla library application.

There are very few times the radio is off in the car.

So, National Radio Day brings good memories into my brain.

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I heard (and believed) radio songs. “All you need is love,” and I can sing most of the lyrics, and now, I try to let:

LOVE WINS

LOVE TRANSFORMS

Karen Anne White, August 19, 2024.