Blog 8: Rogers' Diffusion through Radio

The Rogers' Diffusion of Innovation bell graph presents important information on how the public adapts to new innovations. 

As seen in the graph above, each colored section a certain time in history for the production as well as a group of people who became involved. For this example, I will be using the radio. 

Innovators: When Marconi invented the radio in 1894, it was a time of experimenting. The radio was not built for the public and could not send signals very far distances. This was a time for inventors. It wasn't until 1899 when he created the Marconi Telegraph Company in 1899 and successfully sent wireless signals across the Atlantic Ocean in 1901.

Early Adopters: In 1916, the first radio became available. This was a time when people were finally able to buy their own radio. The public was able to use the tuner model to switch stations in AM or FM. Although many people were going out to buy their own radio, this was still the beginning. The people who bought this product were more likely wealthy folk.

Early Majority: The Golden Age of Radio began in the 1930s. This was the best source of entertainment whether it be listening to the news, music, or the blocks of time made for storytelling. This was a time of comedy shows with Ed Wynn and even horror shows with Richard Widmark. Whatever style a person wanted, the radio had it. This was great for middle-class homes who needed to stay updated. Radio also became available in cars. 

Late Majority: The Golden Age of Radio ended in the 1950s and by this time, it was a common household object. This changed the way people heard music by introducing them to genres like rock n' roll. This was a time when the people who were hesitant (lower class citizens) about radio began to buy them because the radio became cheaper and the most common way to get the news. This was also around the end of President Roosevelt's "Fire Side Chats" which would update the public on government decisions and able to have a deeper connection with the American citizens.

Laggards: The radio continued to be a very popular source for music and news along with sports and radio shows throughout the 1960s and on. The people who waited to buy a radio were more likely the elderly who preferred records for their music and newspaper for their news. 

After reviewing history through the Diffusion Theory, one can see that there are a few positives and negatives through these outcomes. The radio has definitely made the communication of important news easily accessible. Music has allowed artists to present their work through mass media, by offering different styles of music to different people. It has also entertained families for generations through storytelling, sports updates, and talk shows. A negative impact on the radio is its damage to newspaper sales. After purchasing a radio, it becomes more cost-effective; buying fewer books and records to entertain. Radio, however, has also had a downfall in the past decade due to music streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music. Although radio is still available and used in this day and age, its golden years have passed.

Citations:

Skretvedt, Randy, and Christopher H. Sterling. “Radio.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 15 Nov. 2018, www.britannica.com/topic/radio.

“Guglielmo Marconi.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 25 June 2020, www.biography.com/inventor/guglielmo-marconi.

Photos:

Bertsch, posted by Bob. “Assumptions of Basing Our Work on Diffusion of Innovation.” Military Families Learning Network, 7 Nov. 2019, militaryfamilieslearningnetwork.org/2017/01/11/assumptions-of-basing-our-work-on-diffusion-of-innovation/.