History of Radio
Jan 7th, 2008 | By Justin Kaiser | Category: Broadcast GeneralThe first extended radio broadcast of the human voice was transmitted through the air Christmas Eve 1906 from Brant Rock, Massachusetts. Reginald Fessenden was convinced that the “wireless telegraph”, which at the time carried only the beeps of Morse code, could carry the human voice.
An account by Fessenden’s wife reports her husband’s historic transmission, as sailors on ships across the Atlantic heard for the first time what they had only dreamed about - and never thought possible.
“…a human voice coming from their instruments - someone speaking. Then a women’s voice rose in song. It was uncanny! Many of the radio operators called their officers to come and listen; soon the wireless rooms were crowded. Next someone was heard reading a poem. Then there was a violin solo; then a man made a speech.”
Fessenden himself played his violin, read from the Christmas story from the Book of Luke, and played a recording of Handel’s “Largo.”
Can you imagine?
People gathered around a radio listening intently?
Now there’s a vision of the past that must apply to the future, to the future of radio.
From our families to yours, and from all our staff, we wish you a joyous and safe Christmas.
