San Jose Facts

The first radio station in the world, as defined by regular broadcasts for the public and not just occasional or experimental broadcasts, was started in San Jose, California in the early 1900’s. Charles Herrold’s radio broadcasts became the first radio station by having regularly scheduled programs including reading the newspaper, playing music, and having talk shows with his friend and wife. The exact date when regular broadcasting began is unknown but occurred sometime between 1909, when he set up his operation, and 1910. Even this later year was before any other radio experimenters began regular program broadcasting. This first radio station sent its broadcasts from a bank building that use to be where the KQED building stands today, next to the Fairmont Hotel and San Jose Museum of Art.

Sources:
1. http://tech-notes.tv/History&Trivia/Radio/Who%20was%20first/San%20Jose%20Broadcast%20.htm , 2020.
2. http://www.theradiohistorian.org/kqw.htm , 2020.