About the radio: This is a radio that was present at the very beginning of the radio revolution. Although experimental radio broadcasting and homebuilt receivers had existed for many years before, 1921 was the year that radio started down the road to commercial success. In November of 1920 Westinghouse began station KDKA, at least partly as a marketing tool to sell radios. In 1921 they marketed the first factory built radio, a crystal set called the Aeriola Jr.. Later that year the 1 tube Aeriola Sr. was introduced. These sets opened up radio to people who did not wish to build their own receivers.

The Aeriola Sr. is a regenerative radio that uses a vacuum tube for the detector instead of a crystal, making it more sensitive (able to receive weak or distant stations). The secret to a regenerative radio (or “regen“) is carefully controlled positive feedback. Careful adjustment of the regeneration control is essential, and must be continuously monitored during listening. If not adjusted properly, the receiver can squeal and even transmit interference to other nearby radios.
In 1922 nearly half of the US population lived on farms and in small towns and the few radio stations in the US were mostly in big cities, so a sensitive radio, and a long antenna, were needed to be able to listen in. Radio sales for 1922 numbered about 100,000 sets. Click here to see how to build a crystal radio.

1886: George Westinghouse (1846-1914) founds the Westinghouse Electric Co. which produced various products from steam engines to railroad air brakes. In 1893 he illuminated the Chicago World's Fair with 250,000 electric lights - the most dazzling installation of its time.
In 1920 Westinghouse radio station KDKA (Pittsburgh) schedules the first commercial radio broadcast—the Harding-Cox presidential election results.
In 1921 Westinghouse begins manufacturing the first factory-built radio receivers for home use (Aeriola Jr.), later that year they begin production of the Aeriola Senior..
Westinghouse is still in business today, visit them at http://www.westinghouse.com/

The World Of 1921

· President: Warren G. Harding
· U.S. Population: 108,538,000
· U.S. Unemployment: 11.7%
· Cost of a first-class stamp: $0.02

Headlines

· U.S. Congress, in a joint resolution, declares WWI ended .
· First burial is held at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery

Some Noteworthy Films of 1921
No Oscars until 1928

The Sheik, establishes star Rudolph Valentino as cinema's best-known lover.
Charlie Chaplin's The Kid

· World Series: NY Giants d. NY Yankees (5-3)*
*First radio broadcast of a World Series

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Historical Data From InfoPlease.com

· RadioShack Corporation formed in 1921 in Boston to sell equipment to "ham" operators, taking its name from the small wooden building for radio equipment on ships.
· KDKA boosts power of transmitter from 100 to 500 watts.
· Two wavelengths are formally set aside for broadcasting; 833Khz and 619Khz.

Listening to the Radio in 1922*

·  January 15: KDKA transmits a speech by future US president Herbert Hoover.
·  March 4: The inaugural address by Warren G Harding.
·  May 19: Radio station 9ZAF in Denver, Colorado, transmits an amateur production of the opera Martha.
·  Sept 20: KDKA introduces a daily radio news bulletin in collaboration with The Pittsburg Post newspaper.
·  July 2: An estimated 300,000 people huddled around radios in the eastern part of the U.S. to hear Jack Dempsey knock out Georges Carpentier in the fourth round at Jersey City, N.J.
·  Oct 5: WJ Z, Newark, broadcast the World Series, as the New York Giants beat the New York Yankees five games to three.

*Radio ratings services did not begin until 1929

Emergence of Radio in the 1920s and its Cultural Significance

The Westinghouse Corporation Homepage
Cape Old Radio's Aeriola Senior Page

The Radiola Guy's Aeriola Family Page
Radio Attic's Westinghouse Radio Picture Page
Any other Westinghouse Links? Please Email Me!