Rise of Commercial Radio in the United States (1920–1935)

1. Radio Act of 1912 introduces federal licensing

   Aug 13, 1912Labels: Radio Act

   • ITS History

2. RCA is established to consolidate key patents

   Oct 17, 1919Labels: RCA, corporate consolidation

   • Britannica
   • Radio100

3. KDKA receives a limited commercial license

   Oct 27, 1920Labels: KDKA, Westinghouse

   • EarlyRadioHistory
   • PSU Libraries

4. KDKA broadcasts 1920 election returns

   Nov 2, 1920Labels: KDKA, 1920 election

   • PSU Libraries
   • KDKA License

5. Commerce Department defines early broadcasting wavelengths

   Dec 1, 1921Labels: Commerce Department, broadcast wavelengths

   • EarlyRadioHistory

6. First national radio conference meets under Hoover

   Feb 27, 1922Labels: Herbert Hoover, national conference

   • EarlyRadioHistory
   • Commerce Dept

7. WEAF airs widely cited first paid radio ad

   Aug 28, 1922Labels: WEAF, AT&T

   • EarlyRadioHistory
   • NPR Transcript

8. NBC launches a national network business model

   Nov 15, 1926Labels: NBC, network radio

   • Britannica
   • LoC Guide

9. United Independent Broadcasters forms to rival NBC

   Jan 27, 1927Labels: United Independent, Arthur Judson

   • Judson Bio
   • CBS History

10. Radio Act of 1927 creates Federal Radio Commission

    Feb 23, 1927Labels: Radio Act, Federal Radio

    • ITS History
    • Radio Act

11. CBS begins network broadcasts under new branding

    Sep 18, 1927Labels: CBS, Columbia Phonograph

    • CBS History
    • Britannica

12. General Order 40 reorganizes AM frequencies nationwide

    Nov 11, 1928Labels: General Order, AM reallocation

    • Gen Order 40

13. Communications Act creates the FCC and stabilizes regulation

    Jun 19, 1934Labels: Communications Act, FCC

    • Britannica
    • Comm Act