The anniversary exhibition marking the 100th birthday of radio in Austria examines these and other questions in an exhibition area covering more than 800 square metres, offering a very special journey through time:
Starting with the radio hobbyists of the 1920s, visitors can explore the historical milestones of Austrian radio up to the present day. In addition to the 500 objects that bring to life the rapid technical development of this early mass medium, interactive media stations with hundreds of audio examples allow visitors to immerse themselves in the radio cosmos of each decade. In this way, the exhibition conveys not only technological but also social and political change over the past decades. The Radioskop, for example, is a testament to the spirit of experimentation in the early days. This device was designed in the 1920s to provide a combined audio-visual experience, but failed after a short time. The political dimension of radio as a medium is conveyed by the impressive large-scale object, the Kronstorf Transmitter, which was used by the American occupying forces after the end of the Second World War to broadcast radio programmes far into Soviet-occupied territory.
With the economic boom of the 1960s and the advent of mobile radios, radio finally became an indispensable leisure companion, as illustrated in great detail by the anniversary exhibition 100 Years of Radio. As Austria went on air. It also shows how much the conditions for radio production have changed: from early live broadcasts to records and the digitalisation of the medium, visitors will also see a director’s station at the end of their tour, still in use today and – along with many other objects – loaned by the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF), the exhibition’s cooperation partner.
Online exhibition and accompanying book
In addition, the Österreichische Mediathek (Austrian Media Library) of the Technisches Museum Wien (Vienna Museum of Science and Technology) has compiled radio sounds from the past hundred years, as well as radio memories from contemporary witnesses, in an online exhibition that invites you to (re-)listen to historical moments, well-known programmes and discover previously unreleased radio material.
With the book accompanying the anniversary exhibition, 100 Jahre Radio. Vom Detektorempfang zum Streamingprogramm (100 Years of Radio. From Crystal Sets to Streaming Programmes), you can take a century of radio history home with you.
Exhibition duration: until 2 September 2025
Starting with the radio hobbyists of the 1920s, visitors can explore the historical milestones of Austrian radio up to the present day. In addition to the 500 objects that bring to life the rapid technical development of this early mass medium, interactive media stations with hundreds of audio examples allow visitors to immerse themselves in the radio cosmos of each decade. In this way, the exhibition conveys not only technological but also social and political change over the past decades. The Radioskop, for example, is a testament to the spirit of experimentation in the early days. This device was designed in the 1920s to provide a combined audio-visual experience, but failed after a short time. The political dimension of radio as a medium is conveyed by the impressive large-scale object, the Kronstorf Transmitter, which was used by the American occupying forces after the end of the Second World War to broadcast radio programmes far into Soviet-occupied territory.
With the economic boom of the 1960s and the advent of mobile radios, radio finally became an indispensable leisure companion, as illustrated in great detail by the anniversary exhibition 100 Years of Radio. As Austria went on air. It also shows how much the conditions for radio production have changed: from early live broadcasts to records and the digitalisation of the medium, visitors will also see a director’s station at the end of their tour, still in use today and – along with many other objects – loaned by the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF), the exhibition’s cooperation partner.
Online exhibition and accompanying book
In addition, the Österreichische Mediathek (Austrian Media Library) of the Technisches Museum Wien (Vienna Museum of Science and Technology) has compiled radio sounds from the past hundred years, as well as radio memories from contemporary witnesses, in an online exhibition that invites you to (re-)listen to historical moments, well-known programmes and discover previously unreleased radio material.
With the book accompanying the anniversary exhibition, 100 Jahre Radio. Vom Detektorempfang zum Streamingprogramm (100 Years of Radio. From Crystal Sets to Streaming Programmes), you can take a century of radio history home with you.
Exhibition duration: until 2 September 2025
Teenagers & Adults
ONLINE EXHIBITION
Discover the new online exhibition of the Österreichischer Mediathek on 100 years of radio history in Austria.
VIRTUAL BROADCASTING CENTER
Experience the Vienna Broadcasting House virtually and immerse yourself in 100 years of radio history with 360-degree streaming technology.
Sponsors
Partner of Technisches Museum Wien
Project Partner
Impressions
