The 1940 Part 15 AM Explosion

• There was a hugh explosion of part 15 AM broadcasting in 1939-1940. Which is not surprising because the rule had just been created, it was a brand new thing... Well, actually.. It was already popular in 1934, those wireless phono-occilators, but it was not without scrutiny, because technically they were illegal, as they infringed on the Communications Act of 1934 - it was clearly illegal to broadcast over the air without a license, even across the room...

But FCC Chief Engineer Jett (who would go on to become Commissioner) took a hard look at the issue and after some opposition and informal meetings, created Part 15 just in time for News Years 1939..