(Exhibition text in English, referring to a QR code in the exhibition)
Radio – a Popular Pastime
In the early 1920s, experimental radio broadcasting is carried out around the country. In 1923, the Swedish Parliament decides to make a specific company responsible for all broadcasts. Swedish Radio’s first programme airs on 1 January 1925. Initially, broadcasts last a few hours each evening. Eventually, air time is extended to half an hour at noon and from 6 pm on weekdays. On Sundays, broadcasting begins with Sunday mass and continues throughout the whole afternoon and evening. The programmes are not meant to be just entertaining, but educational as well. The first school radio programmes air in 1928. In the same year, the first listener surveys are conducted. There are 150 000 responses.
A few objects
Crystal radio, common in Swedish homes in the 1920s. They do not require electricity. Eventually crystal radios are replaced by electric radios with electron tubes and speakers. Dark brown Bakelite radio in Art Deco style, manufactured by the German company Telefunken. This radio comes with a separate loudspeaker not on display. Crystal and electric radios can be bought ready-made in the 1920s, but are also sold as kits. Magazines publish drawings and instructions for readers who want to build their own radio.