Radio and Television Regulation ― Broadcast Technology in the United States, 1920-1960

Slotten (a postdoctoral fellow, history of science, Harvard U.) analyzes the early role of the federal government in the development of the US broadcast industry, as well as industry traditions that were established then, to shed light on contemporary problems and debate as technology changes and deregulation becomes the norm. The work focuses on the intersection of technical issues and the social, political, legal, and economic components of decisions made as radio and television developed in the first half of the 20th century. An epilogue discusses Slotten's findings in terms of current debates about high-resolution TV. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Hugh R. Slotten is a postdoctoral fellow in the History of Science Department at Harvard University. He is the author of Patronage, Practice, and the Culture of American Science.