WHA Radio and the Wisconsin Idea Publication Year: 2006 These
words crackled in the headphones of crystal sets around the
country in 1921 as the University of Wisconsin radio station 9XM
began its regular schedule of voice broadcasts. Randall Davidson
provides the first comprehensive history of the University of
Wisconsin radio station, WHA; affiliated state-owned station,
WLBL; and the post-World War II FM stations that are the
backbone of the network now known as Wisconsin Public Radio. 9XM
Talking describes how, with homemade equipment and ideas
developed from scratch, 9XM endured many struggles and became a
tangible example of "the Wisconsin Idea," bringing the
educational riches of the university to all the state's
residents. From the beginning, those involved with the radio
station felt it should provide a service for the practical use
of Wisconsin citizens. The book's informative chapters cover the
programs that allowed the medium of radio to benefit farmers and
homemakers, to bring world-class educato