What Is The Impact Of Television On American Society

Over the years few inventions have had as much effect on American society and life as the television. Before 1947 the number of U.S. homes with television sets could be measured in the low thousands. By then late 1990s, 98 percent of U.S. homes had at least one television set. The typical American spends from 2.5 to almost five hours a day watching television. It is significant not only that this time is being spent with television but that it is not being spent engaging in other activities, such as reading or going out or socializing with friends and family. In the early development years of the TV, The company RCA that dominated the radio business in the United States with its two NBC networks, invested about $50 million in the development

All the action shots at that first televised baseball game had to be captured by a one single camera and the limitations of those early cameras forced actors in dramas to work under extremely hot lights. They also had to wear dark black lipstick and an off greenish makeup due to the cameras having trouble with the color white. The early newscasts on CBS were called "chalk talks." with a newsman moving a pointer across a map of Europe, mostly consumed by war. The video quality was so poor it was extremely difficult to make out the newsman, let alone the map he was pointing

Kennedy. Television seemed to provide evidence of how much television would change politics. Commentators pointed to the first ever televised debate between Kennedy, the Democratic candidate for president and Vice-President Richard M. Nixon, the Republican's nominee. A survey taken of those who listened to the debate over radio said that Nixon had clearly won however, those who watched on television and were able to see Nixon's poor posture and poorly shaven face versus Kennedy's young poise and grace. Those who watched on television were more likely to think Kennedy had won the debate. Those peoples decisions were solely based on what the Television showed them, a pattern that only got bigger. Then Television's coverage of the assassination of President Kennedy on Nov. 22, 1963, and of the events that followed, provided further evidence of the televisions unmatched power. Most Americans joined in watching coverage of the shocking and tragic events. But not as crowds in the streets, but from their own living rooms with their own families. Televisions power to influence was only seen again, many significant graphic images were from the 1963 televised footage of Civil Rights demonstrators being attacked by police dogs and fire hoses. This disturbing footage helped to validate the existence of the Civil Rights movement for the American public that may have never seen racism like they saw