Releasing the Art: The Creation of RCA

Abstract

This chapter details the creation of Radio Corporation of America (RCA), led by Owen D. Young. It tracks the formation of the new American communication corporation that could protect and advance American interests in the world. The chapter then elaborates on the discussions and meetings between Young, vice-president of General Electric Company, and Edward J. Nally, vice-president of American Marconi. It looks at the General Electric Company's decision to take over Marconi's American interests — including its patent licenses — add them to the patents controlled by the navy, and place these holdings in a new American company. The chapter assesses the industry's dramatic changes: thousands of radio amateurs had been drafted into the war effort; they had emerged radio professionals, committed to staying with the art, and requiring tubes and equipment from RCA. It then explores the relationship between RCA's radio transmitters and American Telephone and Telegraph Company's telephone lines, and the idea of broadcasting.