June 23, 1908 · 118 years old
Erik Barnouw (June 23, 1908 – July 19, 2001) was an American historian of radio and television broadcasting. At the time of his death, Barnouw was widely considered to be America's most distinguished historian of broadcasting. Among his significant works are the textbook, 'Documentary: A History of…

For 50 years, radio dominated the airwaves as the first mass medium. Ken Burns examines the lives of three men who shared the responsibility for its invention and early success.