"Radio Days"

Every one strives for something better than before. Better technology, better innovation, better ways of communication. People feed off the newly and improved technology whether for personal or corporate use. When new technology emerges, the idea spreads like wildfire to the masses. People become aroused with the “new and improved.”  Such as radio in the 1920s, technological change proves to be a motivating factor for popularity to the common people.

 When Gugliemo Marconi invented the wireless telegraph, it spurred a major outbreak of radio to the masses. Radio was the first true means of worldwide communication in the early 1920s. This technological change proved to be a turning point in history.

David Sarnoff was the radio operator that radioed for help when the Titanic hit. This radio innovation proved it could be a powerful tool in government and military safety.  When the government released the radio to private hands at the end of World War I, people latched on to this craze like wild fire. The technological change shifted people’s ideals to keep up with the latest information.

 Radio became a common household item. It factored into everyday life. In Woody Allen’s film “Radio days”, radio became sort of each person’s identity. Radio became part of their lives. People accept technological change and conform to the lifestyle that technology allows for them.  It’s almost like the “keeping up with the Jones” theory – when fellow neighbors are conforming to the latest and best innovations, it is almost someone’s obligation to follow in the midst of the change. In “Radio Days” everyone keep up with the latest radio shows to prove to themselves that they were current in society.

However with this evolution of radio becoming part of everyday life, radio evolved into what the people wanted – variety. Radio started to stream different types of talk shows, music, family shows, or news. Each person could now adapt to any particular radio show they wanted to. Like in “Radio Days,” each family member had a different show they liked. Some liked Masked Avenger while others like romantic tunes. Radio evolved into anyone’s interests. Radio because of the technological change that it beheld became an American necessity.