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Listen to Radio Programs from the Golden Age of Radio
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For thousands of years we communicated by making impressions on cave walls, stones, papyrus and finally paper. Print media had been our predominate means of mass communication until the discovery of radio in the early 1900's.
The Golden Age of Radio was a period from the eary 1930's that continued until the mid 1950's when television took our attention away from the radio. During this magical time families gathered around the radio and listened to world class entertainment and learned more about our world as it began to shrink because of the torrent of radio programs that were broadcast nationwide, bringing the same quality entertainment to the apartments of New York City and the farm house in isolated Iowa.
The 1930's were the years of the Great Depression. The stock market had collapsed, men of industry were ruined, unempoyment was at historically high levels. There were soup kitchens and bread lines to feed the poor, dispair and lack of hope were the attitudes that ruled the day. You can listen to the first President that used radio to communicate with the American people, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. His radio messages became known as 'Fireside Chats', as he tried to encourage people. In March of 1933 there was a run on the banks, and many closed, never to reopen. In a March 12, 1933 address to the nation, President Roosevelt tries to calm the nation and explains how the banks will re-open. listen now . . .
Jack Benny, a Vaudeville performer from the Roaring 20's came to radio, and later to television as a world famous comedian. You can listen to his very first words on the radio as he hosts a variety show on May 2, 1932. listen now . . .
The 1940's were the war years. After Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, much of the focus of radio turned to the war and our soldiers. By this time Jack Benny had been on the radio for several years. His broadcast of December 7, 1941 was interrupted several times for war alerts. listen now . . .
The Cavalcade of America was a show sponsored by DuPont, a large chemical company that provided many items for the war effort. Many of their shows of 1942-1945 dealt with the war, and the heroes that it created. On their September 14, 1942 show, you can hear what the former Ambassador to Japan has to say about Japan and the war effort. listen now . . .
The 1950's were a time of post-war prosperity. Our boys were back from the war as conquering heroes, and much attention was given to comedy and prosperity.
Now, go back a few years and discover what Americans were listening to for evening entertainment on this day many years ago.
