In short
On November 2, 1920, KDKA in Pittsburgh became the first licensed radio station to broadcast scheduled programming to the general public, airing election returns from the Harding-Cox presidential race. This marked the moment radio shifted from a hobbyist technology into mass media, creating a new kind of intimacy between institutions and millions of listeners simultaneously.
How it unfolded.
The five-minute version
What actually happened.
Radio broadcasting is the transmission of signals, especially audio, to receivers using radio waves over a wide area. Listeners require a broadcast radio receiver to receive these signals. "Terrestrial" broadcasts come from stations on land, and include AM and FM ; and DAB (digital). Audio is also broadcast via satellite in both digital and analog, originating from a satellite in orbit around Earth.
As it was happening
14 voices, 11990 days.
One beat at a time. Click any dot on the timeline to jump, press play for autoplay, or use the arrow keys to step.
Reginald Fessenden's audio broadcast
Reginald Fessenden transmits voice and music from Brant Rock, Massachusetts—the first amplitude modulation broadcast of audio, though to a limited audience of ship receivers.
Voices from this moment (1)
Reginald Fessenden's audio broadcast
Jan 1
“Reginald Fessenden transmits voice and music from Brant…”
As it was happening
14 voices, 11990 days.
Day 0 · January 1, 1906
Reginald Fessenden's audio broadcast
Reginald Fessenden transmits voice and music from Brant Rock, Massachusetts—the first amplitude modulation broadcast of audio, though to a limited audience of ship receivers.
“Reginald Fessenden transmits voice and music from Brant…”
- Reginald Fessenden's audio broadcast, Jan 1
Day 3652 · January 1, 1916
David Sarnoff's proposal
Young Marconi wireless operator David Sarnoff proposes a 'radio music box' for mass consumption, envisioning radio as a household appliance rather than point-to-point communication.
“Young Marconi wireless operator David Sarnoff proposes a…”
- David Sarnoff's proposal, Jan 1
Day 5345 · August 20, 1920
WWJ Detroit broadcasts
WWJ in Detroit (then 8MK) begins experimental broadcasts, sometimes credited as the first radio station, though without formal licensing or scheduled programming.
“WWJ in Detroit (then 8MK) begins experimental broadcasts,…”
- WWJ Detroit broadcasts, Aug 20
Day 5419 · November 2, 1920
KDKA Pittsburgh launches
KDKA broadcasts the Harding-Cox election returns as the first licensed station with scheduled programming. Westinghouse built the station partly to drive sales of home radio receivers.
“Wireless Music for the Millions - Broadcasting Station KDKA…”
- The New York Times, Nov 3
“Westinghouse Station KDKA Broadcasts Election Results to…”
- The Pittsburgh Gazette, Nov 2
“Radio Broadcasting - How to Build Your Own Receiving Set”
- Popular Mechanics, Nov 15
“American Wireless Triumph - Broadcasting Reaches the…”
- The Times (London), Dec 15
“KDKA broadcasts the Harding-Cox election returns as the…”
- KDKA Pittsburgh launches, Nov 2
Day 5479 · January 1, 1921
Rapid station growth
Within weeks of KDKA's success, dozens of radio stations apply for licenses. By end of 1921, over 30 licensed stations operate in the United States.
“Within weeks of KDKA's success, dozens of radio stations…”
- Rapid station growth, Jan 1
Day 5995 · June 1, 1922
First radio advertisement
WEAF New York airs the first paid radio advertisement—a 10-minute spot for Queensboro realty—establishing the advertising model that would fund American radio.
“WEAF New York airs the first paid radio advertisement—a…”
- First radio advertisement, Jun 1
Day 7305 · January 1, 1926
NBC network forms
The National Broadcasting Company launches, connecting WEAF and other stations into the first radio network, enabling simultaneous transmission of programs nationwide.
“The National Broadcasting Company launches, connecting WEAF…”
- NBC network forms, Jan 1
Day 7723 · February 23, 1927
Radio Act of 1927
Congress passes the Radio Act, establishing the Federal Radio Commission to regulate spectrum, licensing, and broadcast standards—the first systematic regulatory framework for radio.
“Congress passes the Radio Act, establishing the Federal…”
- Radio Act of 1927, Feb 23
Day 9100 · December 1, 1930
Radio dominates households
Radio receivers are now in roughly 12 million American homes—nearly one-third of all households. Radio advertising revenue reaches $40 million annually.
“Radio receivers are now in roughly 12 million American…”
- Radio dominates households, Dec 1
Day 11990 · October 30, 1938
Orson Welles broadcast panic
Orson Welles' 'War of the Worlds' broadcast demonstrates radio's power to influence mass behavior, causing localized panic despite clear fictional framing.
“Orson Welles' 'War of the Worlds' broadcast demonstrates…”
- Orson Welles broadcast panic, Oct 30
Front pages.
3 outlets carried the story: The New York Times, The Times (London), Popular Mechanics.
Media coverage
What the world was reading.
4 pieces, ranked by how much they shaped the discourse.
The New York Times
Newspaper · United States · Nov 3, 1920
"Wireless Music for the Millions - Broadcasting Station KDKA Opens New Era of Radio"
Synthesized from period reporting - The Westinghouse Electric Manufacturing Company's experimental station in Pittsburgh has begun transmitting voice and music directly into the homes of listeners equipped with simple receiving sets. The broadcast, aimed at the general public rather than technical operators, marks a watershed moment for wireless technology.
- Nov 2, 1920
The Pittsburgh Gazette
Newspaper · United States
"Westinghouse Station KDKA Broadcasts Election Results to Local Radio Fans"
Synthesized from period reporting - In what may be the first news broadcast to a mass audience, Westinghouse's Pittsburgh station transmitted election coverage and results to listeners throughout the region. The station's 100-watt transmitter reaches an estimated radius of several miles.
- Nov 15, 1920
Popular Mechanics
Magazine · United States
"Radio Broadcasting - How to Build Your Own Receiving Set"
Synthesized from period reporting - With commercial broadcasting now underway, thousands of American enthusiasts are constructing homemade receivers from readily available components. This guide explains the crystal detector, vacuum tube amplification, and tuning circuits needed to join the wireless revolution.
- Dec 15, 1920
The Times (London)
Newspaper · United Kingdom
"American Wireless Triumph - Broadcasting Reaches the Household Receiver"
Synthesized from period reporting - British scientific circles have taken note of the American development in wireless transmission, where commercial stations now transmit news, music, and entertainment to domestic audiences. The implications for wireless communication across the Atlantic are profound.
Captured in time.
Captured before it changed
The web as it looked, the day it happened.
Wayback Machine snapshots of the pages people actually loaded that day. Click any card to open the archive at full size.
Sources & citations.
Sources
Where this came from.
Every claim on this page traces to a public, license-clean source. We don't asterisk well.
Wikipedia
1 source- 1.Radio broadcasting
en.wikipedia.org