1920s Radio Research Paper

The increased popularity of film and radio in the 1920s is directly related to the new patterns of American consumerism, the increase of leisure time, and allowed for a more connected country. Radio was an influential tool as it connected citizens all across the country, allowed for more profiting opportunities through advertisements, and introduced people to a broad category of broadcasts. The film industry also had a tremendous impact on citizens by allowing an escape from everyday troubles, creating a Hollywood obsession, turning actors into household names, and regulating a controversial American society. While it is clear that film and radio led to tremendous change in American society during the 1920s, it is important to understand what

When the radio was first introduced to the public, there were a variety of broadcasts covering a broad spectrum of topics that interested Americans. By 1923, more than 500 radio stations were reaching every area of the country (Brinkley 270). However, because radio wasn’t closely regulated in the early years of the 1920s, the government saw the need to intervene because radio is a public resource and impacted many Americans. Based on a decision by The Federal Radio Commission, a government organization in 1927, “general purpose” stations, affiliated with NBC and CBS, were favored, and all other stations were known as “propaganda stations” and many were forced off the air (Slotten 19). What made radio even more difficult to regulate was the fact that it wasn’t a centralized industry, meaning that radio broadcasting occurred in different areas of the country. According to Brinkley, individual stations had considerable autonomy, but with the new regulations put in place, not even the most closely monitored broadcasts were completely controlled, leading to controversial, yet diverse programming

As one author notes, “By the 1920s there was a general understanding that spectators could be influenced by on-screen images” (Orgeron 78). Because of the influence movies had on the American people, Hayes was given large, broad responsibilities to review potentially controversial movies. According to one author, “They gave Hays broad powers to.ban anything likely to offend viewers (or politicians)” (Brinkley 270). According to Brinkley, Hays exercised his powers broadly for many years and imposed a safe and self-righteous conformity in the film industry during his term (270). The film industry overall, was a popular and well-regulated industry throughout the 1920s, which is why it was one the key contributors to change in the “New Era” of the decade. After examining numerous resources highlighting the influences and effects of radio and film in 1920s American society, these two industries likely led to one of the biggest societal changes in American history. Regardless of some of the struggles the two industries faced, such as heavy regulations throughout the decade, Americans were clearly enthralled with the new