Radio Paris evolved from the first private radio station in France, called Radiola, founded by pioneering French engineer Émile Girardeau in 1922.[1] It became Radio Paris on March 29, 1924, and remained so through June 17, 1940, transitioning to state ownership in December 1933 as the premier station in the country.[2] It kept its name from July 1940 until August 1944, but the station was then run by Nazis and French collaborators.