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Aug
12

The Different Shapes of Radios

blogDetail.by_admin | 12 Aug 2021

 

 

The Different Shapes of the Radio
If you were born in the 1990s you will fondly remember the radio as a portable device where news, sports highlight and music was broadcast. You may remember the soul music wafting from your radio speaker into your ears or upbeat jazz music causing you to tap your feet in harmony. This wonderful device has evolved from being a portable piece of equipment people carry around to being available on smartphones. Currently, one can enjoy the delights of the radio through online radios.

History of the Radio
Radio waves were first identified in 1886 by a German physicist known as Heinrich Hertz. These waves he discovered were later modified into radio transmitters and receivers in 1895 by Guglielmo Marconi. His innovation allowed communication between coastal radio states and ships at sea. By 1898, the British Marconi company developed the first radio station in Chelmsford.

At the beginning of the 20th century, Adolf Slaby and Georg Von Arco developed the Alaby Arco wireless system. This was a huge development from the radio transmitters and receivers of the 1890s. In 1902, Julio Cervera Baviera developed the radion in Spain. He visited Marconi’s installations and started developing his system.

The evolution of the radio continued till the 1950s where the transistor radio was created. In 1955, the newly established Sony introduced its first transistorized radio. We continue to witness advances in the development of the radio. The progress in technology has given more people access to an increasing amount of information.  The latest innovation is what we know as online radio. This allows you to connect to the radio through the internet.

7 Roles of the Radio over the Decades
The role of the radio keeps shifting through the centuries. During the second world war, though the radio was still in its developmental stages, the transmitters were used to warn soldiers of an incoming attack giving them some time to defend themselves. Below are some roles which the radio has constantly played over the years:

The radio was a way to build unity among people. When there is a broadcast on the radio, even when it doesn't concern you or your community you had to listen most times to hear what was going on. Among communities, there is a practice which is called community media. This was a way for people to participate in issues of society.

  • Source of Information

This has always been one of the major roles of the radio. The radio is used to pass information across regions. People are informed about the recent happenings around the world and within their locality. With a radio, you'll be informed on news ranging from sports to health to finance and practically any topic one could think of.

  • Entertainment

The radio offers an array of entertaining activities for everyone. Whether it is music or sports highlights, there is something to keep you entertained. Many radios also have programs suitable for youngsters.

  • Binding Communities

The radio was a way to build unity among people. When there is a broadcast on the radio, even when it doesn't concern you or your community you had to listen most times to hear what was going on. Among communities, there is a practice which is called community media. This was a way for people to participate in issues of society.

  • Introducing Cultures

It is through the radio many people came in contact with a culture different from theirs. The radio introduces us to different people and their practices, we learn about their songs, beliefs, way of living, norms and so many things.

  • Awareness/advertising

From time immemorial, people have harnessed the power of the radio to advertise products and services. Since the radio has a wider reach than one could ever achieve through mouth-to-mouth communication, many individuals and organizations use the radio to advertise the products or services they have to offer.

  • Education

The radio is also a medium of education. If you frequently use your radio you'd discover some stations are solely dedicated to sensitizing the audience about one topic or the other. There are stations where you can learn about your body and practices that are harmful to it. Some you learn about finance and investing. Sometimes, this education extends from adults to kids.

  • Music

It is hard to talk about the functions of the radio and not talk about the melodious music it brings to our ears. Some people's earliest contact with music was from the speakers of their radios.

 

Conclusion
Today we have a delightful development which is the Internet radio. Through the decades, the radio as equipment has maintained its relevance, keeping up with the times. One of the features that make the online radio distinct is its accessibility. Wherever you are in the world and at any time, you can get connected to a radio station via the Internet. Online radios offer you delightful music such as jazz, rap, soul, RnB, and soon. You enjoy current news, engaging programs, sports commentary and even religious programs at your convenience.