History of Radio Program

The Nodaway County Historical Society will present a program on the description and history of Broadcast Radio on Sunday, November 19th, starting at 2:00 PM at the Society’s Museum located at 110 North Walnut, Maryville Mo. Northwest Professor Emeritus Bob Bohlken will chair a panel of his former mass communication students on the topic of broadcast radio: its production, reception, history and audience remembering the early programing in the Midwest regional area.

The panel will consist of William Murphy, Northwest mass media engineer; Chuck Morris, retired KMA radio personality; Patricia Holley, KXCV(Public Radio) personality; Joyce Cronin, manager of KNIM-FM-AM Radio; audience open mic.

Commercial broadcast (AM) radio began in this area with KMA, regional radio and KFNF, local radio, Shenandoah Iowa in the early 1920’s. Before electricity was available, battery powered receivers of broadcast radio waves replaced the crank Victrola as the rural family’s kitchen and living room entertainment and information. The term, broadcasting, is derived from the farmer reaching into a bag of seeds and strewing the seeds around him. By 1928, the U.S. government decided that, unlike the United Kingdom, this nation would go with private commercially owned stations. The Federal Communication Agency, established in 1928, controls the licensing of the stations’ frequency and power.  
The program is intended to be informative and commemorative of the glory days when folks listened and imagined the “soap opera drama,” musical variety shows, mystery theatre, adventure programs, and heard the farm market reports.

The museum is open Tuesdays through Fridays, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., and other times by appointment. There is no charge for admission, but donations are welcome. Phone 660-582-8176 with any questions, or 660-582-3957.