Editing Warren G. Harding (section)

====Embracing new technologies====
The 1920s were a time of modernization for America—use of electricity became increasingly common. Mass production of motorized vehicles stimulated other industries as well, such as highway construction, rubber, steel, and building, as hotels were erected to accommodate the tourists venturing upon the roads. This economic boost helped bring the nation out of the recession.{{sfn|Sinclair|p=206}} To improve and expand the nation's highway system, Harding signed the [[Federal Aid Highway Act of 1921 (Phipps Act)|Federal Highway Act of 1921]]. From 1921 to 1923, the federal government spent $162&nbsp;million (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US|.162|1923|r=1}}&nbsp;billion in {{Inflation-year|US}}) on America's highway system, infusing the U.S. economy with a large amount of capital.{{sfn|Wynn|pp=217–218}} In 1922, Harding proclaimed that America was in the age of the "motor car", which "reflects our standard of living and gauges the speed of our present-day life".<ref>{{cite web|last=Harding|first=Warren G.|title=Second Annual Message to Congress|publisher=American Presidency Project|url=http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=29563|date=December 8, 1922|access-date=August 3, 2015}}</ref>

Harding urged regulation of radio broadcasting in his April 1921 speech to Congress.{{sfn|Murray 1973|p=46}} Commerce Secretary Hoover took charge of this project, and convened a conference of radio broadcasters in 1922, which led to a voluntary agreement for licensing of [[radio frequency|radio frequencies]] through the [[United States Department of Commerce|Commerce Department]]. Both Harding and Hoover realized something more than an agreement was needed, but Congress was slow to act, not imposing radio regulation until 1927.{{sfn|Trani & Wilson|p=88}}

Harding also wished to promote aviation, and Hoover again took the lead, convening a national conference on commercial aviation. The discussions focused on safety matters, inspection of airplanes, and licensing of pilots. Harding again promoted legislation but nothing was done until 1926, when the [[Air Commerce Act of 1926|Air Commerce Act]] created the [[Bureau of Aeronautics]] within Hoover's Commerce Department.{{sfn|Trani & Wilson|p=88}}