Technological Change in the !920's

Technological change shaped the formation of radio in the 1920’s by making all the many purposes clear to the public, and by proving its usefulness.

Technological change usually works in a process, which includes the invention, innovation, and then the diffusion. The invention stage is usually the part that involves the most creativity. It simply means an inventor will invent something that the public views as new. Next, is the innovation stage, this is the period when the inventions purpose is discovered. A lot of the time the inventors intended purpose, is not the purpose that the public finds most useful.  The public takes the invention, and innovates the invention into their lives in a way that is most beneficial to them. Last, is the diffusion stage, this is when the invention is spread out amongst a population. During this stage the invention is shared with a variety of users.

In the 1920’s technological change helped in the evolution of the radio. New developments such as the vacuum tube, which made radio able to transmit sound, made radio seem useful in various different ways.  After this invention Frank Conrad begin making radio broadcasts which attracted interests and newspaper coverage, and after that a store decided to sell radios to pick the regular broadcasts, and the station KDKA came about. Because of radios’ new technological capabilities people begin to innovate and diffuse the invention. The new technology made people think of things to do with radio, the text states retail stores started radio stations just to promote goods, newspapers saw news potential; schools and churches saw educational possibilities. Technological change made the evolution of radio possible.