B5. The Voices of Early Radio

It was a media smash— we could hear leaders’ voices, get news and sports in a hurry, and enjoy live entertainment, celebrity gossip, and religion without leaving home. Millions of people would spend up to $150 in the 20s and 30s for a radio. More than half of American homes had sets by the late 30s. We will look at the phenomenon of radio and listen to some of the voices that sparked listener interest and drove this incredible growth, such as, F.D.R., Walter Winchell, Orson Welles, Lowell Thomas, Edward R. Murrow, Amos ’n Andy, and Kate Smith. 

Rosemary McCarthy values media and its history. She was a reporter and producer in commercial radio, public radio, and television. She holds an M.A. in Journalism from the University of Nevada where she taught journalism. She has offered several media-oriented courses for WISE.