Communication Technologies: From Codex to Digital

• Study notes for communications class cover early innovations, the industrial revolution, radio, television, and digital content delivery.

Written Communication

• Codex: An early form of book replaced scrolls with bound, individual pages.
• Gutenberg Press: Invented by Johannes Gutenberg around 1440, it revolutionized book production.
• The mass production of books via the Gutenberg Press led to the spread of knowledge and significantly impacted the Reformation and Enlightenment.
• Newspapers: Emerged in the 17th century as an early form of mass communication, growing with literacy rates.
• Newspaper growth in the 1600s saw an increased focus on current events and information dissemination.
• Penny Press: Cheap newspapers made information more accessible to the masses.
• Telegraph improvements by Samuel Morse allowed for long-distance communication using Morse code.
• The telegraph revolutionized long-distance communication, serving as pivotal in business and military applications.
• The Ladies Mercury: Founded in 1693, it was one of the first magazines specifically aimed at women.
• The Gentleman’s Magazine: Established in 1731, it was the first periodical to be called a "magazine".
• The Scots Magazine: Launched in 1739 and it was one of the earliest magazines in Scotland.
• Camera Obscura: An early device projecting images onto a surface for viewing.
• Edinburgh played a pioneering role in early photographic experimentation.
• Heliography: An early photographic technique that used light-sensitive materials to capture images.
• The first successful permanent photograph was created in 1826 by Joseph Nicéphore Niépce.
• Daguerreotype: Developed by Louis Daguerre, the photographic process provided clearer images.
• Photogenic Drawings: Developed by William Henry Fox Talbot, an early photographic technique involved contact printing.

Radio

• Heinrich Hertz discovered electromagnetic waves, which were the basis for radio transmission.
• Marconi developed wireless telegraphy, the basis for modern radio transmission.
• Vacuum Tube: A device that amplifies electrical signals, essential for early radio broadcasting.
• Audion: Lee De Forest’s invention amplified weak signals, enabling clearer radio transmissions.
• Early radio technology was used for military communication during wartime.
• British & US developed radio for military use.
• Reginald Fessenden was the first person to broadcast voice and music over the radio.
• Lee De Forest improved radio technology, enabling clearer broadcasts.
• Efforts were made to avoid monopolies in radio broadcasting by encouraging competition.
• Radio Corporation of America (RCA) was founded in 1919 to ensure U.S. leadership in radio technology.
• CFCF, 8XK, and KDKA were early radio stations broadcasting in the 1920s.
• The five key factors for success in early radio broadcasting include: audience, programming, technology, frequency allocation, and content regulation.
• The Telephone Group competed for dominance in the early broadcasting industry.
• WEAF was the first station to air a commercial broadcast in 1922.
• Toll Broadcasting: In early advertising companies paid to broadcast ads.
• NBC debuted in 1926 as one of the first major broadcasting networks.
• NBC and CBS were the two primary networks during the early days of radio.
• William S. Paley acquired CBS and turned it into a leading broadcasting network.
• 1912 Radio Act: Required licenses for radio broadcasters to avoid interference. -1927 Radio Act: Established the Federal Radio Commission to regulate radio airwaves.
• Franklin D. Roosevelt used radio extensively with his "Fireside Chats" to connect with the American public.
• MBS, NBC-Blue: These were early network affiliations that broadcast across the U.S.
• "Amos n' Andy" was a popular radio comedy show.
• Radio provided escape and information during the Great Depression's economic hardship.
• Daytime dramas (soaps) developed as early daytime programming.
• Press-Radio Bureau: It allowed a collaboration between press agencies and radio stations for accurate news reporting.
• Live musical performances became a major form of radio programming.
• ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) was formed to protect musicians' rights.
• Frequency modulation (FM) radio was developed for clearer sound.
• Rock Saved Radio: The rise of rock music helped maintain radio's popularity.
• FM radio eventually overtook AM in popularity due to its superior sound quality.

Electronic Advancement

• Philo T. Farnsworth and Vladimir K. Zworykin were key inventors in the development of television.
• The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) established the standards for television broadcasts in 1939.
• TV Growth (1941): The industry boomed, but also faced challenges related to supply and demand.
• The freeze halted the issuance of new TV licenses to prevent interference and the order helped shape TV regulation.
• Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) was established to provide educational and non-commercial television content.
• The development of color television was compatible with black-and-white sets.
• CBS v RCA: There was rivalry between CBS and RCA over television broadcasting standards.
• AT&T’s networking helped establish long-distance broadcasting networks.
• Ampex Corporation developed video tape recorders, revolutionizing the recording of TV programs.
• Early TV shows were mostly live because were limitations of technology.
• New Types of Programs: Popular formats included magazine, spectacular, and quiz shows.
• The emergence of TV challenged Hollywood's dominance of entertainment.
• Single Camera: Used for film-style TV shows, it was shot with one camera.
• Multi-Camera: Used for live broadcasts, involving multiple cameras.
• Early use of television was to broadcast films.
• Cable TV (CATV) and its rise provided more channels and programming.
• The FCC introduced rules to regulate cable television.
• Satellite technology and TV-Receive Only antennas helped expand cable programming.
• The Open Skies Policy allowed for satellite signals to be used freely for TV transmission.
• Ted Turner’s TBS became one of the first superstations, broadcasting nationwide via satellite.
• HBO: One of the first premium cable networks, pioneering pay-per-view television.
• Major cable networks such as, CSPAN, ESPN, and CNN, offered news, sports, and general entertainment.
• Emmy Awards: Celebrated achievements in television programming.

Digital Television & Content Delivery

• High-Definition Television (HDTV) improved image quality compared to standard TV.
• Pay-Per-View: Allows viewers to pay for individual programs, often live events or special broadcasts.
• Cable v Satellite: Offered a debate of which technology delivers the best television service, with satellite offering wider coverage.
• Digital Video Recorders (DVRs) allowed viewers to record TV programs and watch them later, revolutionizing television consumption.
• TiVo became one of the most popular DVR brands, changing how people consume TV content.
• Shifts toward digital platforms and streaming services have changed how people watch and interact with television content.
• The Writers Strike was a key event in the entertainment industry that highlighted the power of writers and their role in content creation.
• Television has played a key role in delivering news and uniting people during national tragedies.

Explore communication technology from the codex and Gutenberg Press to newspapers and the telegraph. Learn how each innovation revolutionized information dissemination, impacting society, business, and military strategy. These advancements paved the way for modern digital content delivery.