Introduction to Mass Communication

Ever since Johannes Gutenberg invented the first printing press in 1453, mass communication has been escalating. By the late nineteenth century, the telegraph, the telephone, and the photograph had all been invented and changed the way the world communicated. People could communicate around the world with the laying of the transatlantic telegraph wires. By the turn of the twentieth century telephony wires had been installed in many parts of the world including Manhattan New York. For industrialized, European empires such as Britain, communication was crucial in running an empire that spanned four continents. In the world wars, communication became crucial, and the affect changed modern history. During the two world wars, inventions such as the radio, and the television greatly affected the outcome and more innovations were an outcome of the wars themselves. In the 1960's and 70's, Satellites were launched into outer space, now satellites give information to us through many forms. Today, mass communication has also turned into mass media, a superhighway for information on anything of interest. Getting up to the minute information has not only become a high-speed luxury, but also a crucial necessity. The internet, the cell phone, and the computer, have all come together to form a seamlessly integrated super network that delivers any info to our finger tips.
These inventions and innovations no undoubtedly changed history and the way countries run. These advances in communication changed the way diplomacy is conducted. Censorship became a big issue as during times of war; the issue still today gets debated over the right to the freedom of press. During the world wars issues over propaganda, true and false, were raised. Communication is the root to the development and spreading of human intellect and has changed history time and again. Communication had a major advancement and impact on the 20th century. It will be interesting to see how mass communication of propaganda affected the world wars and what other technology was used during this time period.

After revolutionary invention of the radio, the 1900's were looking brighter in the sense of communication. During the early 1900's, if a person wanted to make a long distance phone call (outside of their state), one would have to make an appointment to use a special long distance phone and pay for a three minute call with what back then equalled a week's salary. In 1915, the first long distance call was made from the Pacific to the Atlantic coast, which was facilitated by a numerous amount of operators all patching the call through to another. The connection time of a coast to coast call was about 23 minutes. In 1951, AT&T faciltated the first "cutomer-connected long distance call" which was only the begining to a new age of private long distance communication. AT&T was a very important company in the development and advancement of mass communication during the 1900's because of its growing network and new ideas.

In the 1960's radio and telephone technology came together and formed the first cordless phone. Not that it made mass communication easier back then, but in today's society, the wireless technology has a profound impact on today's society. From sattelite and celular phones to WiFi, the wireless advancements aid in the world's mass communication. It is very interesting to note the advancements of mass communication in our world today, and to learn about all of the new inventions and technology that will further the world's efficiency and opportunity to mass communcation.

Mass Communication Introduction

Towards the end of the nineteenth century, the world experienced an enormous developement in technology, resulting in an increase of worldy communication. These new technologies ranged from moving pictures to the telephone and from radio to magnetic recordings. These significant creations provided several new means of communication both regionally and globally. These initial breakthroughs were only foreshadowing what was to come in the nearing twenty-first century ("the information age").

During the next half of a century, moving pictures and radio were the dominant force in technological advances. These new communicative means were used for government propoganda, as well and for entertainment purposes. In addition to these technologies, the television expanded as well. It allowed for visual images to be passed on throughout a community, intially for government propaganda, giving the authorities even more power. As years passed, these developments expanded to the point where everyone used them. Essentially, they were not limited to government use. Modern day technologies -- the cellular telephone and portable computers-- all derived from the roots of the primitive technologies from the late nineteenth century. These days, companies such as Apple have mastered the art of technological advances; they have dominated the market in all areas including the computer, cell phone, and mp3 player. In essence, the technological developments from the end of the nineteenth century and early twentieth have evolved over the years. Each creation was an incredible contribution that allowed modern day technology and to develop and exist, resulting in a great exchange of information come to be known as "Mass Communication".

Communications in 1900

Before the 20th century, mass communications relied on one method: telegraphy. Evolving from the late form of giving a messenger a letter and having him run, the telegraph was the first big advancement in the world of mass communications. This quick and easy method decreased the workload and effort needed to quickly deliver important messages long distances. However, before August 16, 1858, these messages were limited to one hemisphere. Considering that Europe and the US were basically the great powers of the world, this problem needed a solution. So, on that day, the first transatlantic telegraph message was sent, from President James Buchanan to Queen Victoria of the UK. This moment marked the beginning of a rapid growth of communication methods throughout the 20th century, ranging from the radio to the internet.

These advancements in technology greatly changed history in all of its aspects. Nations and their leaders could now easily communicate with their allies and ambassadors , resulting in quicker actions and easier communication. Mass communication was of political use in wartime, with leaders easily sending information to troops in the field; and, later, of social use, when people could easily talk to their friends or family in a quick, simple manner. Communication has been and always will be one of the most important technologies for the advancement of society.

At and around the turn of the century, many new inovations were being made that aided in mass communication. For example:

• July 2nd, 1900 = Count Ferdinand Von Zeppelin flies the first zeppelin this was a big step in commnication becuase zeppelins not only influenced one of the greates rock bands in history (Led Zeppelin) but they also aided in communication and transportation. In addition, they came to have a big role in World War I as bombers and reconnaissance. One of the most famous of these was the Hindenburg.



• In the early 1900's, radio towers began to be constructed around the US and other parts of the world. This invention of the "wireless telgeram" dramatically aided in the development of mass communcation. One of the radio's first uses in the 1900's was for the navigation of aiplanes, who would use the AM frequency. In 1930, FM frequency became available. Radios were used as early as 1905 on navy vessels to communicate with one another. During Wolrd War I , Germany used radio for communication when the British cut their telegraph and submarine cables. Also, the US passed on Wilson's 14 points for the Peace of Paris by way of radio. Later on in the early-mid 1900's, radio waves were turned into radar, which aided in detecting planes, ships, and other people.

Welcome

This is a first post on the Mass Communications World History Blog.