Final answer:
Historians call radio the "internet of the 1930s" because it centralized entertainment and information just like the internet does today, fostering a shared national culture and enabling immediate news updates which were crucial during significant events such as World War II.
Step-by-step explanation:
Some historians refer to radio as the "internet of the 1930s" because just like the internet today, radio served as a revolutionary communication tool that shaped culture, news dissemination, and entertainment during that era. Initially commercial radio shows that emerged in the 1920s and increased usage in the interwar years provided a mix of advertising-supported entertainment, such as soap operas, mysteries, westerns, and also live news and sports events. By the 1930s, most households owned a radio, and it became a staple for families to listen to syndicated programs, which included comedy shows, talk shows, and educational content, thus creating a national identity and homogenization of culture across the United States. President Franklin D. Roosevelt utilized radio for his "fireside chats", illustrating how radio was also a potent political tool. The significance of radio rose further during World War II, when quick updates from reporters like Edward R. Murrow became crucial, showcasing radio's ability to deliver immediate news which was a limitation of the print media.