Rumors of War: The War before Pearl Harbor

The War's Voices

Broadcast and Commercial Recordings of Speeches and Interviews of World War II-era Personalities.

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War-related Entertainment, Propaganda, and Ads Targeting World War II-era Radio Listeners.

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Popular and Topical Songs of World War II.

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USO Shows, Armed Forces Radio, V-Discs, and Other Morale Efforts Targeting the Military.

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War Reports, News Flashes, and Informational Programs Regarding World War II.

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World War II-era Broadcast and Recording Technology.

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Now Hear This

When America entered the first World War, the government closed all non-essential radio stations and outlawed Americans from receiving any broadcasts from any source for the duration. As a result, the nation's fledgling radio industry ground to a halt. By contrast, World War II accelerated the medium's development as defense efforts went into high gear, pushing every industry to new levels of achievement. By 1941, innovations were occurring in months instead of decades, radios were humming in 30,000,000 American homes, and listeners were experiencing eyewitness reports, on-the-spot broadcasts, and the drama of a changing world.

The four radio broadcasts presented here come from original studio transcription disc recordings in the Arthur B. Church - KMBC Radio collection and the J. David Goldin collection in the Marr Sound Archives.

Broadcast #1
Though live mobile broadcasting technology had existed for decades, most radio programs still aired from established studios or from theaters or other facilities with permanent equipment, while on-the-spot reports were usually wire or acetate disc recordings made in the field for later playback in the studio. This was due to the fact that mobile units were either expensive mini studios on wheels or cumbersome transmitter backpacks with limited range and fidelity. As a result, this technology was reserved for the most newsworthy events. On November 5, 1940, election day, KMBC sent its mobile transmitter into the streets of Kansas City to get reactions to the presidential returns. This live broadcast, which was also preserved on an acetate disc, was conducted at the then-bustling corner of 12th and Main.

Broadcast #2
Despite the unparalleled level of technological advances shaking the world, broadcast journalism and the methods used to deliver it remained new and innovative for many listeners in the early 1940s. Columbia, realizing that the miracle of radio was also an intriguing mystery to much of its audience, produced this audio documentary on the inner workings of the network's news department, narrated by Elmer Davis. In addition to educating listeners, the show, which aired June 1, 1941, was also an opportunity for Columbia to boast about its news organization and fill airtime with inexpensive programming.

Broadcast #3
Radio's transformation into a viable communications tool was due in large part to the pioneering work of the U.S. Navy, which had, since the turn of the century, influenced both technical and commercial development of the young medium. Not coincidentally, Franklin Roosevelt, who utilized radio more than any other president, served as assistant secretary of the Navy during these innovative times. In fact, it was Roosevelt's influence as president of the Navy Club that allowed the use of an experimental Navy transmitter to broadcast the so-called "battle of the century" between world heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey and Georges Carpentier in 1921.

As president, Roosevelt took full advantage of the many innovations that occurred during his tenure. Along with his fireside chats (which he introduced as governor of New York), Roosevelt was also the first president to give a televised speech in 1939, and the first American president to make a transcribed radio address, which was this July 14, 1941 address to congress.

Broadcast #4
Some of radio's early supporters promoted it as a miracle medium that would inform the nation, eradicate ignorance, and spread democracy; and some early shows almost make you believe them. One such program was "America's Town Meeting of the Air," one of the first live electronic forums, which began its 21-year run in 1935. Proving that there's nothing more democratic than an open mic, each show dealt with a specific topic of the day, which was debated by experts, and questioned by members of the audience as well as listeners via telegram. However, despite its lofty intentions, some topics proved too progressive. In this broadcast from November 13, 1941, with the nation on the verge of going to war for freedom, an audience member questions our own racial equality, and is promptly escorted from the room.

Text by Scott O'Kelley, Marr Sound Archives
Digital Audio by Scott Middleton, Marr Sound Archives

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