History of Radio and Mass Media in UK
The term of mass media was coined in 1920 with the creation of radio transmission that had the ability to broadcast sound to audiences across long distances. But the early mode of communicating to large audiences was through performers utilizing the art of drama in Ancient times. Over time the platform for sharing news evolved as technology grew but still revolved around a ‘performer’.
James Clerk Maxwell developed the theoretical basis for electromagnetic waves and Heinrich Hertz was credited with the first transmission of such waves at radio frequencies in 1888. This technology was birthed on the foundations of the telegraphic design. The first working radio signal transmission took place in 1895. Technology rapidly advanced and Guglielmo Marconi is identified as the original inventor of the actual radio.
Early uses of radio were primarily for maritime use to pass on orders and communications between ships and land. In 1954 before television was widespread, radio broadcasts were more readily available and less expensive and became the primary of news, dramas, comedies and variety shows.
Radio had the ability to reach large audiences and as the only source of media entertainment in homes, families would gather around to listen to news casts or their favorite program. It became the primary form of mass communications as signal strength and range increased giving news and businesses a large base. In 1954 the pocket size transistorized radio was made available to general public and allowed people to get their news and entertainment on the go.
Today radio’s impact on mass media continues to widen with ever increasing signal bands and as new technology opens doors including wireless networks and mobile communications. There is no limit to the range of radio signal or the number of people its broadcasts reach making it still one the most important venues of mass media communications.