Never overwhelming anyone with its geographical size, Rhode Island has always managed to find a niche in the broadcasting industry. From the birth of radio through the start of the department store "wars" in the 1920s, Rhode Island radio became a national trendsetter. The Shepard brothers created the Yankee Network, which launched the concept of sharing programming with affiliated stations. Several formats became standard-bearers for listening concepts throughout the country, from the Top 40 format of the 1950s and 1960s to present-day adult contemporary and sports talk radio. Rhode Island...