The Broadcast Century and Beyond

The Terrible 30s

Radio grew up in the 1930s. News broadcasts became an increasingly important part of the lives of Americans. In 1931, Time Magazine started the March of Time (from Old Time Radio.com) began with dramatic interpretative language used to create excitement and interest among listeners. At this site you can listen to the first broadcast and read some of the history behind the program.

The Lindbergh kidnapping was dubbed the ‘Crime of the Century’ and radio brought the unfolding story to Americans across the nation. The actual kidnapping and the ensuing trial made this story one of the biggest of the 1930s. This site developed by the University of Missouri Law School recounts those events, including reproducing the contents of the ransom note demanding $50,000.

In 1931, the Empire State Building (link from Wikipedia) opened to the amazement of the world. It immediately became an icon of 20th century man's attempt to achieve the impossible. This link tells the story of its building. Interestingly, the mast of the building served as a docking mooring for dirigibles. Click for some pictures of the construction of the Empire State Building, courtesy of the New York Public Library.

The 30s were a time of great change. The stock market collapse in America and the resulting worldwide depression changed the lives of millions. The Library of Congress’ collection of pictures of the great depression will provide you with some insights into an era that changed that extinguished the parties started during the roaring twenties. The New Deal Network site was designed to show how the New Deal provided a safety net for those most affected by the depression. Social programs helped American families cope with the terrible times.

WLS in Chicago started the National Barn Dance in 1929 (from www.wlshistory.com). The program grew to become one of the most popular and longest running programs on radio. Singers and announcers such as Gene Autry and Red Foley got their star on the program. Early television experiments were occurring in several countries but England, Germany and the United States all rushed to become the first country to turn the experiment into a real service. The British experiments are documented here by Don McLean with a great timeline and explanation of the history. In the United States many people are working on a television system. Two important inventors are worth noting. Russian-born innovator Vladimir Zworkin (from About.com) helped RCA develop a complete broadcasting system but Philo Farnsworth working independently, developed technology that was needed to make electronic television a reality.

In 1938, Columbia Broadcasting’s Mercury Theater broadcast War of the Worlds. The radio drama frightens millions who believe that the world is being invaded by Martians.

The 1939 New York World’s Fair was the location David Sarnoff chose to announce RCA’s television system. This website details some of the buildings that suggested that the future would be worth exploring, even as the depression continued.

World events grew in importance as Europe began to spiral into conflict. The emergence of the Nazi party cast a shadow over the second part of the decade.