Steve J. Wurtzler Book order

Electric Sounds vividly captures an era when innovations in sound production, recording, and transmission transformed various media, particularly radio, phonographs, and cinema. The 1920s and 1930s witnessed crucial developments in American mass media, including the film industry's shift to synchronous sound, the emergence of radio networks with advertising support, and the establishment of a federal regulatory framework that underpins U.S. communications policy today. This period also saw the rise of powerful media conglomerates and the creation of a new acoustic commodity, where stories and songs were made available across multiple formats. The societal role of this new media sparked debate: while some celebrated its potential for educational and cultural enhancement, critics worried about declining public taste. Some viewed acoustic media as a means to promote participatory democracy by informing the public, while others recognized the potential for manipulation. The innovations of this time led to a restructuring of corporate mass media interests and a shift in media consumption patterns, as well as a reevaluation of the social roles assigned to mass media. Steve J. Wurtzler's meticulously researched history adds depth to the study of sound media, demonstrating that technology's ultimate form is shaped by conflicting visions across economic, cultural, and political spheres. The work also explores how technologies evolve