The Radio and How it Changed The World




Throughout the history of humankind, communication has been a vital key to survival. Over time it has evolved along with the levels of human consciousness. From sounds, to images, to writing, communication has become more and more technologically oriented. It is especially necessary in emergency preparedness. Thus, with the invention of the radio, humankind progressed one step further, aiding the creation of a global community.
"Radio has transformed society three times, not to mention giving birth to the entire field of electronics. Perhaps no invention of modern times has delivered so much while initially promising so little." The radio has not only been used by the public for entertainment and news, but also by the military and government. During World War I, the radio allowed ships to communicate using the Morse code. The airwaves used by radios were also "useful for point-to-point traffic between ships at sea and other clients untethered by cables." Later, the military found other uses for the radio. "Governments started to understand the radio’s immense potential, not only for communications but also as a weapon: radio detecting and ranging, better known as radar."
Eventually, broadcasting was discovered. Families gathered together around the radio, listening to their favorite radio programs. As radio technology advanced and improved, it could even play music- a common fact in today's day and age. Before the invention of the television, the radio served as a prominent entertainment source, especially in America during the Great Depression. It also enabled the community to access the news. While the first inventors of the radio envisioned the radio as a useful tool in "one-on-one communication tasks," they never expected it to become the "major mass entertainment and information medium, earning many millions of dollars in revenues annually through commercial sponsorship" that it did.
In disasters and emergency preparedness, the radio has played a vital role. Many are unaware that in instances where power is unavailable- limiting communication- the radio may be the only way to receive information and news. Furthermore, throughout the years, the radio has become more compact, varying in sizes. Therefore, it is also more transportable. I firmly encourage having a working emergency radio in one's house.
The radio has not majorly had any negative affects on society. Perhaps it may bring some sad news, have too many commercial advertisements, or some emotional- even annoying- talk show hosts and hostesses, but it has served society in many positive ways. It acts as a companion for those traveling in the car. It supports us in times of disaster. In America, it has been an intricate part of life since its creation and it has given birth to many modern day conveniences. Once an idea, the manifestation of the radio has truly been one of the most important technological advances in society.

Works Cited
Gugliotta, Guy. How The Radio Changed Everything. May 31, 2007. Discover. March 13, 2010.
Radio. March 12, 2010. Wikipedia. March 13, 2010.
Radio's Vital Role In Times Of Emergency. 2009. Radio Heard Here. March 13, 2010.