History of the FM Radio

Radio broadcasting tower

Of all the methods of communication, the FM radio is one of the most well-known forms of entertainment, news and music. But while this system of radio transmission eventually proved to be innovative and extremely popular, the early history of the FM radio and its inventor is a mostly tragic adventure.

Conception of FM Radio

Major Edwin Armstrong was the original inventor of the frequency modulated (FM) radio broadcasting system. Armstrong was an inventor and technical guru who not only developed the FM radio but also contributed many enhancements to the amplitude modulation (AM) radio. As a developer for the AM radio system, Armstrong was aware of the many problems that plagued the AM radio wave broadcast. As a result, in the mid-1930s, he devised a new type of radio transmission that eliminated these problems--FM radio.

Development of FM Radio

Armstrong brought his idea of FM radio to his friend David Sarnoff, the founder and head of RCA (Radio Corporation of America). Sarnoff agreed to help Armstrong develop the new system. Eventually, Armstrong became aware of RCA's intentions to protect its own interest in AM broadcasting by undermining Armstrong's invention. Armstrong left RCA and sold the manufacturing rights to several other radio manufacturing companies. Armstrong was plagued by RCA's determination to undermine his invention, though.

Interference By RCA

RCA, in an attempt to protect its own AM radio broadcasting from the newer and better FM radio, engulfed Armstrong in years of legal battles in an attempt to drain his energy and resources. In addition, RCA pressured the Federal Communications Committee (FCC) to change all of the original FM station frequencies, rendering the FM capable radio useless. This caused many people to become enraged at the need for an all new radio, further destroying FM radio broadcasting.

Death of an Inventor

After years of legal battles and interference from Sarnoff and RCA, Armstrong finally conceded to both on Jan. 31, 1954. After writing a letter to his wife, Armstrong jumped from his 30th story apartment, ending his life. Armstrong never witnessed the great achievements of his invention or RCA's quick turnaround in the production and promotion of the FM radio system when it became profitable and surpassed AM radio in total profits.

FM Radio Today

Without any additional interference by the RCA, FM radio broadcasting boomed. With more than 5,000 FM radio stations in the United States alone, the FM radio system quickly overthrew its predecessor to become one of the most common mediums of entertainment, news and music. Yet, even though FM radio is now able to grow without interference, it is quickly being pushed off by other forms of entertainment, such as satellite radio and mobile Internet radio.

References

• Cyber College