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Societal Impact of the Radio
Nicole Tressler
ARTS 214 Art Culture and Technology
Professor Melisa Palermo
February 17, 2025
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"Radio is a powerful medium that can inspire, inform, and entertain, all at the same
time." (Vogts, 2023). During the year 1896, an Italian scientist, Guglielmo Marconi patented
what he called a “wireless telegraph system”, what was later referred to as the radio. Because of
its versatility, it has changed how we communicate with one another, introduced new forms of
entertainment, improved contact with other cultures, and is also used for education and
advertising. Radio has become foundational in our world of everchanging technology. From
short distance broadcasts, to communicating across the globe, radio waves have been
instrumental in communication by enabling real-time information exchange, fostering global
connectivity, and shaping the landscape of media and technology throughout the 20th and 21st
centuries.
Radio provides local and long-distance communication, known as AM, or, amplitude
modulation, and FM (frequency modulation), which provides numerous frequencies to be
broadcasted simultaneously. AM frequency is typically used for long-distance broadcasting,
making it ideal for talk radio and news. FM, on the other hand, offers higher sound quality and
is commonly used for music stations. Thus, providing sufficient means and versatility that has
made radio an enduring medium since it can adapt to the changing needs of society while
remaining a vital source of information and entertainment. Additionally, it has also enabled
quicker communication to the masses, such as political, scientific, or economic announcements.
This was a critical development that could be seen during the great depression and the second
world war. “To many listeners, the personal reach of radio gave them a way to count in a
political arena that, without broadcasting, felt overwhelming” (Lenthall, 2007). People were
now able to listen to the broadcasts all from the comfort of their own home. This was a
significant impact on society as it provided extensive access to information and entertainment
to everyone as a whole. “Radio affects most intimately, person-to-person, offering a world of
unspoken communication between writer-speaker and the listener” (McLuhan, 1964). This
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invention has also provided people with new forms of entertainment, such as podcasts, music
and video streaming, dramas, sports games, and talk shows. Moreover, it can facilitate
community engagement by allowing residents to advertise events, programs, or activities in
their cities and towns. Radio also serves as a platform incorporated by companies to promote
their products and businesses to reach a larger demographic.
Thomas Edison was quoted as having said that, “The radio is a commercial failure, and
its popularity with the public is waning. Radio is impractical commercially and esthetically
distorted and is losing its grip rapidly in the market and in the home.” (Radio News, 1926). As
can be seen by the technological advancements today, this quote by Edison has been proven to
be false many times over. During the early twentieth century, massive shifts and developments
in technology were taking place, sparking what was known as the Industrial Revolution. This set
into motion a great zeal for learning and developing new inventions that took over the world,
from innovations for the workplace and the home. “The industrial revolution involved the
emergence of a completely new approach to production, work, and consumption” (Daemmrich,
2017). The rise of mass media and consumer culture during this time gave rise to the demand
for entertainment and information. The radio provided a new platform for music, drama, sports,
and news that allowed people to access content from the comfort of their homes. This
immediacy of radio broadcasts meant that people could receive news updates in real time,
making them feel more informed and involved in the world around them. Additionally, those
unable to attend live performances would now be able to simply tune in and hear an opera,
symphony, or jazz concert without leaving their house.
The idea of the radio was built mainly upon the experiments conducted by Heinrich
Hertz, and James Clerk Maxwell. Hertz demonstrated the existence of radio waves and thus laid
the groundwork for wireless communication. Building on Hertz’s findings, Maxwell contributed
the theory of electromagnetic waves and conjected how these waves could propagate through
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space. Both were foundational in the development of radio technology, paving the way for
future scientists and inventors, such as Marconi, and revolutionizing communication technology
across the globe. During the Industrial Revolution, there was a growing need for faster and more
efficient communication, especially among the military. The ability to send messages over long
distances without the need for physical connections was crucial for navigation, safety, and
coordination during military operations. Prior to the introduction of the radio, communication
over long distances was limited to the telegraph. Although soon made inadequate due to the
fastpaced development of other technologies at the time, it was crucial for the advancement of
radio wave technology. Marconi recognized the potential and need of transmitting these
messages wirelessly. In 1896, “he filed his final specification for the world's first patent for a
system of telegraphy using Hertzian waves” (The Marconi Society, 2019). This was one of his first
inventions that paved the way to the modern radio. Four years later, Marconi filed the famous
“7,777” patent, “which documented a system for tuned coupled circuits and allowed
simultaneous transmissions on different frequencies. Adjacent stations were now able to
operate without interfering with one another and ranges were increased” (The Marconi Society,
2019). This significantly changed how effective radio communication would be in the future,
enabling further distances between messages to be achieved.
Because of the radio, we have various forms of technology that have stemmed from it.
From radar, television, and sonar, to Bluetooth, wi-fi, and satellite communication. All of these
technologies function due to the implementation of radio waves. Furthermore, advancements
in radio technology have paved the way for innovations in fields such as medicine, where radio
waves are used in imaging techniques like the MRI, and in environmental monitoring, where
they help track weather patterns and natural disasters. This is proof that the potential number
technologies that can be derived from the use of radio waves is vast. By expanding our
knowledge of the function of radio waves, we can derive new technologies from them.
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However, the expansion of technology is limited only to what can be imagined by the minds of
humanity. As Professor Baird is quoted, “Because technology advances are driven by humans
intelligently using tools, such advances are limited by the human brain.” (Baird, 2013). While the
radio provides numerous benefits to society, there are still obstacles in its implementation.
Firstly, radio signals can be obstructed by physical barriers, such as skyscrapers or mountains,
which can limit communication range and effectiveness. Secondly, prolonged exposure to
radiofrequency radiation, especially at high power levels, may pose health risks to individuals.
“General health effects reviews explore possible carcinogenic, reproductive and neurological
effects” (Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 2011).
The radio can also be used for evangelical purposes, as can be seen by famous preachers
such as Dr. James Kennedy, a Florida based minister who was the most-listened-to Presbyterian
pastor on radio and television broadcasts. Kennedy is widely known for the founding of his radio
program, "The Coral Ridge Hour," which included sermons, interviews, and discussions on
various issues, encouraging listeners to engage with their faith actively. A second example can
be found with Fulton Sheen, who, with his radio program, "The Catholic Hour," addressed
various theological topics, moral issues, and contemporary social concerns. An additional
example is
Martin Ralph DeHaan. As a Detroit based preacher, he used the radio to broadcast Bible classes
for several decades, which featured bible studies, sermons, and discussions on various
theological topics. Through his work in radio, DeHaan aimed to encourage spiritual growth,
promote biblical literacy, and inspire listeners to live out their faith in practical ways. These
three each incorporated the technology of radio to spread the bible and the gospel to diverse
audiences across the country and the world, furthering the Christian message to people who
might otherwise never hear it. As Paul wrote in Romans, “Consequently, faith comes from
hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ” (Romans
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10:17). This medium allowed these preachers to reach millions, transcending geographical
barriers and creating a sense of community among their listeners. Furthermore, this rise of
radio evangelism laid the groundwork for future generations of religious leaders to harness
technology, leading to the establishment of numerous religious programs and stations
dedicated to sharing faith-based content.
While many may perceive the radio as simply being a tool to hear audio programs for
the past century, it has given us more than that. Because of the several breakthroughs in its
development, we have television, radar, sonar, telephones, and many other technologies that
would be impossible without it. Additionally, many have incorporated radio in evangelizing to
the populace, making the gospel more widely heard across the globe. The radio may have its
limitations, as do all other inventions, but its benefits far outshine any problems it poses to
society. Overall, a world without the radio would appear vastly different than the world we see
today.
References
Baird, C. (2013, April 3). When will the technological singularity occur? Science Questions with
Surprising Answers. https://www.wtamu.edu/~cbaird/sq/2013/04/03/when-will-
thetechnological-singularity-occur/
Daemmrich, A. (2017). Invention, Innovation Systems, and the Fourth Industrial
Revolution. Technology & Innovation, 18(4), 257–265.
https://doi.org/10.21300/18.4.2017.257
Edison and Radio. (1926, December 6). Umn.edu; Regents of the University of Minnesota.
https://manifold.umn.edu/read/the-perversity-of-things-hugo-gernsback-on-
mediatinkering-and-scientifiction/section/7502ed44-3083-452f-a04f-3812c11b9528
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Lenthall, B. (2007). Radio’s America: The Great Depression and the Rise of Modern Mass
Culture by Bruce Lenthall, an excerpt. Press.uchicago.edu.
https://press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/471921.html
Marshall McLuhan Quote. (1964). Lib Quotes.
https://libquotes.com/marshallmcluhan/quote/lba5y4t
Radiofrequency and Microwave Radiation - Health Effects | Occupational Safety and Health
Administration. (2011). Www.osha.gov. https://www.osha.gov/radiofrequency-
andmicrowave-radiation/health-effects
The Marconi Society. (2019). Marconi - Marconi History. Columbia.edu.
http://www.seas.columbia.edu/marconi/history.html
Todd Vogts. (2023, May 16). Use Radio Garden to inspire programming, develop cultural
awareness. JEA. https://jea.org/digital-media/use-radio-garden-to-inspire-
programmingdevelop-cultural-awareness
