The Idea of an Essay, Volume 2

156 1930s helped to spur more popularity for the medium (MacLennan 319). Through the development of radio in Canada, the ideas presented by Barboutis seem quite fitting. “As reception range grew, radio receivers in most homes improved as radio became a vehicle for information and entertainment, no longer a piece of technology for experimentation” (MacLennan 316). Technology was an early fascination with the radio audience and once they grew accustomed to the technology, the audience expanded. Barboutis explains that technology and communication are inseparable and are bounded by science (156). Early development in Canadian radio showcase this concept by the process of growth in the Canadian listening audience. The history of radio grew from the development of technology, which improved communication and was founded by science. As seen in the growth of early Canadian listeners, once the technology was understood, the radio became part of the household. With its birth in science, radio made an impact in communication and drew attention from listeners. What did audiences hear in radio that kept making them listen? The appeal, or reasons for listening provide intriguing clues to radio’s current relevancy. Canadian radio listeners became part of their immediate communities when theycongregated in groups to listen to their favorite programs, such as hockey, even before every home was equipped with a radio receiver. As their listening became a daily ritual that was taken for granted, the audience or individual listeners learned to become parts of larger groups of fans and enthusiasts across Canada and North America. (MacLennan 325) Radiocreatedconnections for individuals, families, andcommunities. Listeners received something special from radio programs, a sense of home as described in Anne Karpf’s article. “Indeed, even when the radio voice is at its most instrumental- spelling out wind direction, precipitation, sea conditions in the shipping forecast- it has the capacity to engender a deep attachment” (Karpf 61). The deep attachment is described as homeliness, a feeling of comfort and familiarity. When a listener connects with a familiar station, music, or a favorite radio voice, they want to return to that feeling of homeliness. These feelings stem from various situations, whether it is a connection through sports, music genre, or talk shows, which ultimately came from a desire to be contained. Containment is