John Reith and the British Broadcasting Company The early 20th century was a time of drastic change. The world was experiencing World War I, cultural changes in music and dress, and the League of Nations was established. The first radio broadcasts aired in 1920 covering these events. In October 1922, John Reith founded the British Broadcasting Company to broadcast to the British nation. John Reith, born to George and Adah Reith, was born on 20 July 1889 in Stonehaven, Kincardineshire. John spent much of his youth in school. At fifteen he apprenticed with an engineer. Five years later he continued to work in London at the engineering firm S Pearson and Son. (John) In 1914, Britain joined the First World War. (Terrain) Reith was recalled and stationed in France. One day, while helping his major inspect the trenches, he was hit in the face by a German bullet. He then finished active duty (John). John went to America with his former engineering company (Pearsons) to work at an arms company in Philadelphia. He led an inspection team that checked rifles for the war effort. This period of a year and a half gave him experience and visibility as a public figure. Reith met powerful figures such as John D. Rockefeller and spoke at many prestigious universities. In 1917, John Reith returned to Britain to work with the Royal Marine Engineers. During this time, he became engaged to local Muriel Odhams. (John) The Morning Post published a job advertisement for the director general of the British Broadcasting Company in 1922. It had been arranged by several local radio stations to broadcast to all local radios. John Reith applied and was then hired as general manager. (John) ...... middle of the paper ...... o.uk/historyofthebbc/resources/in-depth/reith_1.shtml>.Terraine, John. "The Western Front Association: promoting interest in the Great War 1914-18 | explore | learn | share." Great Britain in the First World War. The Western Front Association, 18 May 2008. Web. 13 April 2014. .Parliament.uk The Role of the BBC 2005. Web. 13 April 2014. http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200506/ldselect /ldbbc/50/5009.htm"BBC history: where's next?" BBC News. BBC and Web. 13 April 2014. "You need to know the events that happened in the 1920s." About.com History of the 20th century. Np, nd Web. April 13. 2014. .