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Copyright 2008 by Larry Wichterman

KDKA - Pittsburgh


First Commercial Radio Station


On November 2, 1920, a few people were listening on their primitive crystal sets for a new and historic event - though they did not realize how historic. It was the first official broadcast of an actual radio station in the nation, and they were to broadcast the results of the Harding-Cox presidential election. "This is the Westinghouse Radio Station KDKA, Pittsburgh" came the announcement, and it was official.

A few people had these new crystal sets, but there was often nothing to listen to. There were no regular broadcasts from anyone or for any reason. One day a Westinghouse Electric Company employee, Frank Conrad, was broadcasting government time signals when he decided to relieve his boredom by playing his phonograph. On a lark, he held the microphone to the phonograph and broadcast his music. He was surprised when he began getting requests for more music, and the company soon developed the idea. They built a broadcast studio and began the commercial operation.

KDKA had other firsts, of course, including the first baseball game broadcast in 1921.