The Press at the White House: 1918-1933

During the 1920s, press conferences emerged as a main form of presidential communication with the American people. Warren G. Harding hired professional speechwriter Judson Welliver in 1921 and began to hold public press conferences twice a week. Calvin Coolidge was the first president to use radio to speak directly to the citizens of the nation, broadcasting monthly programs. Herbert Hoover used the radio only for traditional occasions, like the State of the Union address. He formally established the position of the press secretary, hiring George Akerson in 1929.