Answer: The rapid growth of radio in the United States between 1922 and 1929 was primarily funded by private companies and advertisers.
Explanation: In the early years of radio broadcasting, commercial companies such as RCA, Westinghouse, and General Electric invested heavily in the development of radio technology and the establishment of radio networks.
These companies used radio as a platform to promote their own products and services, and also sold airtime to other businesses for advertising purposes. Advertisers recognized the potential of radio to reach large audiences and began to invest heavily in radio advertising, contributing to the growth and expansion of the radio industry.
Radio broadcasting also received support from the federal government, which granted licenses for radio stations and established regulations for the radio industry. The Radio Act of 1927 created the Federal Radio Commission, which was responsible for regulating radio broadcasting and allocating frequencies to prevent interference.
Overall, the growth of radio in the United States between 1922 and 1929 was fueled by a combination of private investment, advertising revenue, and government support. It was a transformative period in the history of mass media, paving the way for the development of television and other forms of electronic media in the decades to come.