Continuous Wave

A newsletter and site exploring the forgotten history of broadcast and how it shapes our world. Subscribers get exclusive posts every month.

Featured

Mar 1, 2026

You Burned the City

Just before the US entered World War II, CBS held a dinner for Edward R. Murrow. It's more important than ever to read the words spoken that night.

Julia Barton

Feb 19, 2026

That Joke Isn't Funny

Excavating Amos'n'Andy, the problem at the heart of American broadcasting

Julia Barton

Dec 18, 2025

Against the Time

A bold new radio production style emerges in the shadow of war

Julia Barton

Jun 5, 2025

A Letter to George Clooney

What else we should learn from the story of Edward R. Murrow

Julia Barton

May 22, 2025

The Sound of Her Voice

How sexism got hard-wired into radio

Julia Barton

May 1, 2025

🎙️Fear the Microphone🎙️

"Mike fright" was so widespread in radio’s first decade, it affected the design of studios and programs. It still haunts podcasting today.

Julia Barton

Story Vault

Mar 1, 2026

You Burned the City

Just before the US entered World War II, CBS held a dinner for Edward R. Murrow. It's more important than ever to read the words spoken that night.

Julia Barton

Feb 19, 2026

That Joke Isn't Funny

Excavating Amos'n'Andy, the problem at the heart of American broadcasting

Julia Barton

Feb 5, 2026

Sound Off

How not to be a propagandist

Julia Barton

Jan 22, 2026

Wonder, Take the Wheel

Jason Loviglio on the role of feelings and magic at This American Life

Julia Barton, +1

Jan 15, 2026

Carnies vs Conjurers

A theory of competing enchantments

Julia Barton

Jan 1, 2026

All the King's Henchmen

A history of hands at CBS

Julia Barton