Final answer:
Radio broadcasting was the major motivator in the rise of popular cultural figures like Babe Ruth and Charles Lindbergh in the 1920s.
Step-by-step explanation:
The major motivator in the rise of popular cultural figures like Babe Ruth and Charles Lindbergh in the 1920s was radio broadcasting. Radio technology had proven its value in wartime and by the end of the decade, the first commercial radio networks were born, leading to the syndication of popular programs that could be heard across the nation. This allowed sports heroes like Babe Ruth to become household names and celebrities, as their accomplishments were broadcasted to millions of listeners simultaneously.
Radio broadcasting was the key 1920s technology that helped popularize cultural figures like Babe Ruth and Charles Lindbergh by providing widespread, real-time entertainment and news to a national audience.
The technology that was the major motivator in the rise of popular cultural figures like Babe Ruth and Charles Lindbergh during the 1920s was A) Radio broadcasting. Radio technology blossomed in this era, with live broadcasts reaching millions of listeners simultaneously and helping to create an American mass identity. While other technologies like automobiles and motion pictures also had a significant influence, it was the radio that enabled sports heroes and aviators to become household names. This medium served as the primary source of entertainment and news, making it easier for cultural figures to gain national recognition. The radio's ability to broadcast events as they happened allowed figures like Babe Ruth, known as the Sultan of Swat, to reach a wide audience with their extraordinary achievements in real-time.
The radio shows, supported by advertising, filled the airwaves with various types of content, including soap operas, mystery shows, westerns, and of course, sporting events. The immediacy and reach of the radio were unparalleled at the time, creating shared experiences and helping to shape cultural attitudes across the United States. Through the radio, American culture began to develop a unified identity, going beyond regional and local differences. The rise of popular culture figures during the 1920s can be directly tied to this increase in collective experiences provided by radio broadcasts.