This author tells about the first time the presidential race in 1920 was broadcast. A Ham was involved in this as he had already been broadcasting music to his friends. – WD0AJG
The invention of the radio was a milestone in American history. For the first time we were able to listen to news around the world on a broad basis, not just that written about in the local paper or communicated by way of the telephone or telegraph.
Most of us though, have no idea how these signals are able to be broadcast and how they can show up in millions of homes and on millions of car radios simultaneously. In fact, we may all know much more about how a computer works than how a radio works. In truth, that it was a marvel of engineering at the time it was created has been conveniently forgotten by the majority of us who take it for granted. Most of you have never known a life without radio; in fact a computer-less world is probably a vague memory to the majority of readers, though some may have fond memories of muscle-bound fingers gained while pounding away on the keys of those Remington manual typewriters.
Back to radios-the noise you hear coming out of the speakers on your radio are the result of a transmission of signals by way of modulation. The signals are transmitted by the modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below that of visible light. Basically, electromagnetic radiation is beamed through oscillating electromagnetic fields passing through the air and the vacuum of space. The radiated waves are modulated in regard to amplitude, frequency, pulse width or phase, through an electrical conductor (the radio) which transforms these signals into sound that carries information!
Okay, so the important thing is not to understand how it happens, but what a fete it was to make it happen in the first place. The invention of the radio led to communication and the dissemination of information in such a way as to allow the common man, not just scientists and engineers, to hear world news. Developed during the same period of time as the telegraph and telephone, only the scientific community and explorers were in receipt of radio waves that allowed communication. Then came ham radio operators in the early 1900s, until the invention of the Audion, the first radio tubes that allowed increased clarity and power. In 1920 Westinghouse teamed up with Dr. Frank Conrad, a ham operator who often broadcast music for his friend’s and friends of friend’s enjoyment. On November 2, 1920, KDKA, out of Pittsburgh, broadcast the Harding-Cox presidential race and election results. For the first time, people ‘heard’ about it, rather than ‘reading’ about it in the newspaper, and the knowledge was instantaneous compared to the printed word.
The rest is history-and wireless communication evolves much more quickly now. What does the future hold?
Along with listening to the radio, Joseph enjoys working in his flower and vegetable gardens. Garden Harvest Supply is one of his favorite web sites which offers potted vegetable plants, including tomato plants for sale.
Author: Joseph Stutzman
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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