Following the 1912 disaster of the RMS Titanic, which was exacerbated by inept radio operators, the United States Congress passed the Radio Act of 1912. Expanding on the Wireless Ship Act of 1910 , the act required all seafaring vessels to maintain 24-hour radio watch and keep in contact with nearby ships and coastal radio stations.

Being ratified by 29 nations, the act set a precedent for international and federal legislation of wireless communications. It was followed by the Radio Act of 1927.