It was on this date in 1920 that radio station KDKA, Pittsburgh began broadcasting. It was the first radio station to be commercially licensed by what would eventually become the FCC. Westinghouse provided the broadcasting equipment, made of wood and glass (I imagine). They began their broadcast by saying “This is KDKA, of the Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company, in East Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. We shall now broadcast the election results.”

And thus the strong link between AM radio and politics was established.

In honor of KDKA and radio everywhere, here is a link to WSAE, Spring Arbor and her glorious podcasts.