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Today in Radio History

Dec 29, 2012 5:00 PM

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To know where you're going you have to know where you've been. The history of radio broadcasting is interesting and extends beyond the work of Tesla, Marconi and Armstrong. It includes advances in audio, telephony, satellites, physics, electronics, computers and more. Follow some of these milestones with this handy reference of important dates from radio's past.

This list is by no means complete. If you would like to suggest an event to add, tell us at radio@radiomagonline.com. Please include a reference for the historical information if possible.

January
1, 1902	Nathan Stubblefied demonstrates natural conduction telephone in Murray, KY
1, 1983	ARPANET switches from NCP to TCP/IP
1, 1997	EAS rules go into effect
3, 1929	Paley incorporates Columbia Broadcast System
3, 1983	Time magazine names the computer the "Machine of the Year"
4, 1923	WEAF and WNAC conduct first wired simulcast
5, 1932	The Shadow debuts on CBS
5, 1940	Armstrong demonstrates FM to the FCC
5, 1979	FCC eliminates Third Class operator requirement for stations
6, 1838	Morse Code privately demonstrated
6, 2004	First IBOC radio receiver commercially sold. Location: Cedar Rapids, IA
8, 1918	President Wilson 14 Points speech aired worldwide
8, 1927	Commercial transatlantic telephone service inaugurated between New York and London
8, 1993	NRSC OKs RBDS standard
9, 1943	Nicola Tesla dies
9, 1958	John Tukey coins term "software" in American Mathematical Monthly
10, 1987	NRSC-1 goes into effect to establish AM emphasis/de-emphasis curves
12, 1949	Claude Shannon proves mathematics of Nyquist Theorem.
12, 1995	FCC designates 2.31 to 2.36GHz for S-DARS use
18, 1983	First GUI/mouse computer, the Apple Lisa, unveiled.
19, 1943	FCC endorses Restricted Radio Operator Permits
20, 1920	Ernst Alexanderson granted US patent for magnetic amplifier
20, 1965	DJ Alan Freed, credited with coining the term "rock and roll" dies (Some claim Jan. 20 to be DJ Appreciation Day)
20, 2000	FCC creates LPFM
24, 1984	Apple introduces the Macintosh 128K
31, 1958	U.S. launches its first satellite, Explorer I
February
1, 1949	45 rpm discs are introduced by RCA Victor
2, 1982	Intel intros 80286 processor
2, 2009	WODS-FM Boston launches 1,000th HD Radio multicast stream.
5, 1916	Alexanderson successfully tests multiple tuned antenna
6, 1929	RCA Victor formed.
7, 1915	First train-to-station radio message, Binghamton, NY
7, 1958	Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) is formed
8, 1996	Telecommunications Act deregulates ownership
9, 1934	FCC grants 500kW license to WLW for W8XO
14, 1946	First ENIAC computer demonstration
17, 1947	VOA begins transmissions to Soviet Union
19, 1878	Edison receives patent for phonograph
19, 1975	Harris introduces the first solid-state radio transmitter
22, 1857	Heinrich Hertz born in Hamburg, Germany
22, 1916	Ernst Alexanderson granted US patent for a selective tuning system
23, 1927	President Calvin Coolidge signs Public Law 632, the Radio Act of 1927, to create the Federal Radio Commission
24, 1942	VOA begins operations from New York City
26, 1934	President F.D. Roosevelt urges Congress to create the Federal Communications Commission
March
1, 1949	First 45 rpm record issued by RCA: Texarkana Baby by Eddy Arnold
1, 1972	Intel introduces 8008 processor
2, 1897	Marconi granted first wireless patent
3, 1843	President Tyler signs Telegraph Appropriation Bill.
4, 1910	DeForest experimental radio broadcast from Met, NY
4, 1925	First radio Presidential inauguration (Coolidge)
4, 1982	FCC allows industry to select AM stereo standard
5, 1927	Federal Radio Commission holds first meeting
5, 1998	Digital Radio Mondiale forms in China
7, 1876	Bell receives U.S. patent for telephone
8, 1979	Audio Compact Disc prototype is first demonstrated
10, 1876	Bell successfully transmits by telephone
10, 1922	'Radio Sweeping Country-Million Sets in Use' is the headline in Variety
11, 1948	Audio Engineering Society founded in New York City
12, 1933	President Franklin Roosevelt gives first radio Fireside Chat
15, 1679	Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz describes binary numbering
17, 1990	ARPANET ceases to exist.
19, 1918	Standard Time Act establishes Standard and Daylight time in the U.S.
19, 1928	Amos n' Andy debuts on WMAQ, Chicago
20, 1902	Nathan Stubblefield demonstrates ship-to-shore broadcast to multiple receivers in Washington, DC
21, 1952	Alan Freed hosts first rock concert, the Moondog Coronation Ball, at the Cleveland Arena
22, 1993	Intel intros Pentium processor
26, 1975	The first Altair 8800 personal computer ships
27, 1899	Marconi transmits across English Channel
April
2, 1974	Intel intros 8080 processor
2, 1997	FCC auctions first S-DARS licenses to CD Radio and American Mobile Radio Corp.
5, 1964	First official SBE meeting held in Chicago
6, 1875	Bell granted patent for multiple telegraph
8, 1948	Ampex delivers first audio tape recorder, the Model 200, to Bing Crosby Enterprises.
9, 1860	Edouard-Leon Scott de Martinville invents the phonautogram to record sound
10, 1989	Intel intros 486 processor family
16, 2005	NRSC adopts NRSC-4 (United States RBDS) and NRSC-5 (United Sates IBOC) standards
17, 1934	WLW licensed to operate at 500kW
19, 1928	Harry Nyquist publishes Nyquist Sampling Theorem
19, 1965	Gordon Moore describes Moore's Law
20, 1961	FCC authorizes FM stereo standard
22, 1993	Mosaic, the first Web browser, is released
25, 1874	Guglielmo Marconi born
27, 1791	Samuel Morse born
May
2, 1934	WLW begins operation with 500kW transmitter
3, 1971	All Things Considered debuts
4, 1920	RCA holds first meeting
6, 1937	WLS-AM reporter Herb Morrison describes fiery disaster of zeppelin Hindenburg ("Oh, the humanity!") at Lakehurst, NJ.
9, 1932	WFLA/WSUN, Clearwater, FL, tests first directional antenna in the U.S.
11, 1998	Lucent Digital Radio created
12, 1908	Stubblefield granted patent 887,57 for wireless telephone (conduction system)
12, 1941	Konrad Zuse displays the Z3 program-controlled (freely programmable) computer
15, 2001	XM Satellite Radio completes satellite system
20, 1901	Fessenden applies for high-frequency dynamo patent
22, 1990	Microsoft releases Windows 3.0
24, 1844	Morse telegraphs, "What hath God wrought?" from Washington to Baltimore
26, 1903	Fessenden granted patent for the liquid barretter microphone
June
1, 1961	FM stereo begins use
1, 1979	Intel intros 8088 processor
1, 1988	NRSC-2 goes into effect to establish AM transmission mask
2, 1896	Marconi files full specs for first wireless patent
7, 1932	FCC issues CP for WLW to build W8XO for 500kW
8, 1978	Intel intros 8086 processor
14, 1922	WEAR, Baltimore, broadcasts President Harding's speech at the dedication of the Francis Scott Key Memorial, the first time a U.S. president has been broadcast live.
14, 1983	Docket 80-90 creates new FM stations
15, 1945	NBC Blue Network becomes the American Broadcasting Company
16, 1934	Armstrong transmits FM signal 70 miles from Empire State Building to Long Island
19, 1934	Communications Act of 1934 creates Federal Communications Commission
20, 1948	33-1/3 rpm discs are introduced by Columbia
23, 1891	Tesla granted patent 454,622: coupled tuned circuit radio-frequency oscillator
24, 1910	Public Law 262, titled "Act to require apparatus and operators for radio communication on certain ocean steamers," requires Commerce Dept. to license radio operators for ocean-going ships
29, 1904	Edison receives patent for alkaline battery
July
1, 1911	Radio Division of Department of Commerce created
1, 1920	GE and AT&T sign cross-license agreement
1, 1923	WMAF and WEAF create first network
1, 1934	Federal Communications Commission replaces Federal Radio Commission
1, 2002	Sirius Satellite Radio begins service
4, 1970	Casey Kasem first hosts American Top 40
9, 1879	Bell Telephone Company founded
9, 1992	First AM HD Radio transmission (on 1660 from Xetron, Cincinnati)
10, 1856	Nicola Tesla born
10, 1962	Telstar 1 launched
12, 2000	USA Digital Radio and Lucent Digital Radio merge to form Ibiquity Digital
14, 1995	Fraunhofer picks ".MP3" to be file extension of MPEG Layer III audio files
16, 1961	Leonard Kleinrock publishes concept of packet switching.
17, 1934	FCC adopts Order No. 1
20, 1897	The Wireless Telegraph and Signal Company is founded in England
20, 1937	Marconi dies
24, 1939	The first experimental FM stations go on the air
27, 1940	Billboard publishes first recorded music sales chart
31, 2001	ABC ends DAT/SEDAT satellite transmission
August
1, 1981	MTV begins operations; first video aired: The Buggles, Video Killed the Radio Star
5, 1921	KDKA Pittsburgh broadcasts first baseball game
6, 2009	DAB+ commences in Australia
7, 1981	FCC establishes General Radiotelephone Operator License, ceases issuing First and Second Class Operator licenses.
8, 1991	Tim Berners-Lee posts first HTML Web page
11, 1942	Actress Hedy Lamarr (Hedy Kiesler Markey) and composer George Anthiel receive U.S. patent for spread-spectrum-frequency-hopping system
12, 1877	Edison invents phonograph
12, 1902	Fessenden granted patent for hot-wire barretter
12, 1981	IBM introduces PC with MS-DOS
13, 1912	Radio Act of 1912, titled An Act to Regulate Radio Communication, is approved
15, 1794	First semaphore-telegraph announces victory of France over Austria
17, 1982	First audio CDs are manufactured (a recording of Richard Strauss' Alpine Symphony)
18, 1937	FCC issues first FM construction permit to W1XOJ, Boston. Station signs on in 1941 as WGTR.
27, 1910	James McCurdy sends first aircraft-to-ground wireless message
28, 1922	WEAF New York airs first commercial ("This program brought to you by...")
September
2, 1969	Internet forerunner ARPAnet begins operation
9, 1958	Stereo records and phonographs introduced.
11, 2001	Terrorist attack on New York City silences four FM and nine TV stations
12, 1958	Kilby and Noyce unveil first integrated circuit
12, 2001	XM Satellite Radio begins broadcasting
13, 1956	IBM RAMAC 305 computer hard drive (IBM 350 disk storage unit) developed
14, 2007	FCC allows AM IBOC operation at night (MM Docket 99-325)
15, 1921	Westinghouse's WBZ, Springfield, MA, receives broadcast license
15, 1934	Mutual Broadcast System forms
15, 1965	8-track players marketed
17, 1995	BBC begins Eureka-147 DAB broadcasts
18, 2006	WIYY-FM, Baltimore, becomes the 1,000th station to commence HD Radio transmissions
20, 1956	First multistage rocket, the Jupiter C, launched
21, 1994	First mobile AM HD Radio reception; transmitted from Xetron, Cincinnati over a distance of about 6 miles
22, 1899	DeForest seeks employment with Marconi
29, 1926	NBC incorporated
29, 1936	First use of radio broadcasts for a US presidential campaign
29, 1992	First FM HD Radio broadcast: WILL-FM, Urbana, IL
October
1, 1982	First CD players are sold in Japan
2, 1995	FCC eliminates licensed operator requirements
3, 1938	Alec Reeves patents Pulse Code Modulation (French Patent 852,153 filed Oct. 3, 1938)
3, 1942	First successful rocket launch starts space age
3, 1837	Morse files a caveat on the telegraph with U.S. Patent Office
4, 1957	Sputnik is launched
4, 1983	President Reagan signs Radio Marti into law
5, 1921	First baseball World Series game broadcast on radio
7, 1957	American Bandstand premiers
7, 1970	Intel introduces computer memory chip.
15, 1990	NRSC-3, recommendations for AM receiver specifications, is adopted
17, 1985	Intel intros 386 processor family
17, 1919	RCA established
23, 2001	Apple introduces Ipod
27, 1920	KDKA granted broadcast license
30, 1745	Invention of the Leyden jar (the first capacitor) by Dean Ewald Jurgen von Kleist of the Cathedral of Cammin
30, 1938	Radio Mercury Theater performs The War of the Worlds; panics listeners
November
1, 1926	NBC begins operations
1, 1987	Microsoft releases Windows 2.0
1, 2006	NPR launches Content Depot
2, 1920	KDKA broadcasts election results.
2, 1920	The first radio receivers sold
4, 1916	Sarnoff proposes "radio music box" for radio reception
10, 1992	First AM HD Radio broadcast with audio codec
13, 1906	de Forest patents Audion tube
13, 1975	SBE adopts Certification Program
14, 1911	Ernst Alexanderson granted US patent for the high-frequency alternator, a 100kHz mechanical alternator
14, 1994	FCC adopts EAS rules
15, 1896	Niagara Falls electric power station connects to power grid with first long-distance power transmission
15, 1899	Transatlantic Times receives first news by wireless
15, 1926	NBC makes its first network broadcast
15, 1971	Intel intros 4004 processor
15, 1985	Microsoft intros Windows 1.0
16, 1904	Fleming patents thermionic tube (diode tube)
18, 1883	Railroads introduce four standard time zones in the U.S.
19, 1954	First mass-market transistor pocket radio introduced, the Regency TR-1.
22, 1899	Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company of America registered
23, 1993	FCC makes C-QUAM AM stereo standard
24, 1890	Edouard Branley coins the term (radioconductor"); the first use of the word "radio"
28, 1925	The WSM Barn Dance (later renamed The Grand Ole Opry) debuts on WSM, Nashville
29, 1929	NBC begins use of the chimes
December
1, 1995	FCC eliminates Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit requirement to operate a broadcast station
6, 1923	President Coolidge makes the first presidential address on U.S. radio
7, 1938	The St. Louis Dispatch begins a two-year experiment to deliver newspapers by radio facsimile, first transmission via W9XZY
9, 1968	Douglas Engelbart demonstrates the computer mouse
12, 1901	Marconi receives first trans-Atlantic wireless signal
12, 1960	Laser invented
14, 1877	Ernst Werner von Siemens patents the first loudspeaker
15, 1961	John Battison calls for Institute of Broadcast Engineers in Broadcast Engineering editorial
16, 1925	Dynamic loudspeaker is designed by Chester Rice and Edward Kellogg.
18, 1958	U.S. launches SCORE (Signal Communication by Orbiting Relay Equipment) to transmit radio message from President Eisenhower, effectively becoming the first communications satellite
20, 1991	USA Digital Radio created
22, 2000	Sirius Satellite Radio completes satellite system
24, 1898	First ship-to-shore message sent
24, 1906	Fessenden transmits first distant voice/music broadcast
27, 1947	Bell Labs invents transistor

Station Histories

We receive lots of inquiries asking when stations originally signed on the air. Help us build this list with historic stations and call signs.

Station	Sign-on Date	Notes
WSM-AM, Nashville	Oct 5, 1925
WSRS-FM, Worcester, MA	Jun 17, 1940	Was W1XTG, 43.4MHz

The following events carry significance for radio, but we have not yet found a specific date on which to cite the event. If you can provide a date, please let us know at radio@radiomagonline.com.

1977
FCC adopts ATS rules for FM and ND AM

1986
FCC adopts ATS rules for all stations

1822 or 1827
Charles Wheatstone coins the term "microphone"

1946
Term "bit" for binary digit is used for first time by John Tukey. He worked for Bell Labs

1956
The term "byte" is first used in by German-born American computer scientist Werner Buchholz
Source: Letter from Bucholz to Radio magazine. He could not provide an exact date.

1950
Info about error correction codes first published

1969
Dutch physicist Klass Compaan comes up with idea for CD

1981
Digital Audio Disc Committee accepts CD standard

1925
78 rpm (specifically 78.26) designated as standard speed (previously, speeds could range from 78 to 80)

1937
VU meter standard established by CBS, NBC and the Bell Telephone Company.

1938
PPM designed

1939
I.G. Farben creates magnetic tape: iron oxide on plastic film

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