Pre-History and Ancient History

Communication Unique to Human Beings – Separates us from “lower forms.”Unique to Human Beings – Separates us from “lower forms.” Symbolic CommunicationSymbolic Communication AbstractionAbstraction –Symbols for symbols: words represent thoughts which represent ideas/concepts

Communication The need to conquer time and spaceThe need to conquer time and space Cave paintings, Hieroglyphs, Petroglyphs, Cunieforms, etc.Cave paintings, Hieroglyphs, Petroglyphs, Cunieforms, etc. Written recordsWritten records –Once hand-written –Only for the educated elite –No incentive to be literate

Communication Smoke signals, drums, relay runnersSmoke signals, drums, relay runners HeliographyHeliography Signal firesSignal fires A tactical advantage in warfareA tactical advantage in warfare

Communication & Technology Printing using the “fruit press.”Printing using the “fruit press.” Johannes Gutenberg and the Movable Type printing press.Johannes Gutenberg and the Movable Type printing press. The powered press.The powered press.

The “Master Trends” UrbanizationUrbanization IndustrializationIndustrialization Education (compulsory)Education (compulsory)

Electronic Communication “Electron” from the Greek “Elektron” meaning Amber.“Electron” from the Greek “Elektron” meaning Amber. Rubbing amber against fabric created static electricity.Rubbing amber against fabric created static electricity.

Electronic Communication GalvaniGalvani VoltaVolta AmpereAmpere OerstedOersted FaradayFaraday MaxwellMaxwell WattWatt

Electronic Communication HertzHertz HelmholzHelmholz

Electronic Communication Coded Wired CommunicationCoded Wired Communication –Samuel Finley Breese Morse –The Telegraph –The “Morse Code”

Electronic Communication Coded Wired CommunicationCoded Wired Communication –Transatlantic Cable –Cyrus Field –Later used for telephone

Electronic Communication Non-coded Wired CommunicationNon-coded Wired Communication –Alexander Graham Bell –Elisha Gray (Barnesville, Ohio) –Filed competing patents on the same day –Bell’s lacking a component making it useless TelephoneTelephone

Electronic Communication Coded Wireless CommunicationCoded Wireless Communication –Guglielmo Marconi –Wealthy Italian Entrepreneur –AM, short distance, Morse Code –Short wave, long distance, Morse Code

Electronic Communication Non-coded (voice) Wireless CommunicationNon-coded (voice) Wireless Communication –Reginald Fessenden –Nathan B. Stubblefield AM Radio!AM Radio!

Electronic Communication Edwin ArmstrongEdwin Armstrong –Using the Alexanderson Alternator –FM radio –Better Fidelity – No Static

Electronic Communication Needed Electricity!Needed Electricity! –Thomas Edison – wires New York City –Actually Direct Current –Too dangerous!

Patent Wars and Problems American Marconi’s Worldwide MonopolyAmerican Marconi’s Worldwide Monopoly –Maritime –David Sarnoff – telegraph operator –The Titanic

World War I Government forces “cross licensing”Government forces “cross licensing” Mobilize to win the war.Mobilize to win the war. Ending the patent warsEnding the patent wars

Who were the players? Bell = Bell TelephoneBell = Bell Telephone Gray = Western ElectricGray = Western Electric Edison = General ElectricEdison = General Electric Marconi = Radio Corporation of AmericaMarconi = Radio Corporation of America Morse = American Telegraph and TelephoneMorse = American Telegraph and Telephone

Who were the players? United Fruit Company = maritime shippingUnited Fruit Company = maritime shipping Westinghouse = railroad brakes(?)Westinghouse = railroad brakes(?)

Ready, set, RADIO! 8XK – the FIRST STATION doing what we would call broadcasting.8XK – the FIRST STATION doing what we would call broadcasting. KDKA – the first COMMERCIAL BROADCAST LICENSE.KDKA – the first COMMERCIAL BROADCAST LICENSE. WEAF – the first commercial MESSAGE.WEAF – the first commercial MESSAGE.

The Golden Age of Radio RCA owns National Broadcasting Company Red and Blue networks (NBC)RCA owns National Broadcasting Company Red and Blue networks (NBC) United Fruit Company creates a network that eventually becomes the Columbia Broadcasting SystemUnited Fruit Company creates a network that eventually becomes the Columbia Broadcasting System Mutual BroadcastingMutual Broadcasting

The Golden Age of Radio RCA forced to divest the NBC Blue NetworkRCA forced to divest the NBC Blue Network Sold to Edward Noble of Lifesaver Candy CompanySold to Edward Noble of Lifesaver Candy Company Forms American Broadcasting Company (ABC)Forms American Broadcasting Company (ABC)

The Golden Age of Radio Radio programming was “shows,” not formats.Radio programming was “shows,” not formats. –Dramas, game shows, soap operas, westerns, mysteries, comedies, variety shows, etc. –Established the programming types that still dominate television.

…and then there was Television…