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Athens News Matters: 'Father of Radio' Lee de Forest

This week marks the 146th birthday of Lee de Forest, the self-proclaimed “Father of Radio.” He conducted some of the first radio broadcasts and invented the vacuum tube, but he was also involved in more than one stock fraud and replicated several of his rivals’ devices.

Listen as Alexia Ridley and Chris Shupe break down the story of one of America’s more controversial inventors.

Chris Shupe was the Program Director of WUGA from 2014-2022. Shupe may be best known as The Athens King, a tribute to Elvis Presley, which often included an 8 piece show band! After two years as a part-time announcer, Chris Shupe joined WUGA full time as the station’s Morning Edition Host and Assistant Operations Director. He was later promoted to PD in 2014.
Alexia Ridley joined WUGA as Television and Radio News Anchor and Reporter in 2013. When WUGA TV concluded operations, she became the primary Reporter for WUGA Radio. Alexia came to Athens from Macon where she served as the News Director and show host for WGXA TV. She's a career journalist and Savannah native hailing from the University of Michigan. However, Alexia considers herself an honorary UGA DAWG!