Telephone, Telegraph, Pony Express, etc.
hardwired phones, CB radio, letters, telegrams, visiting, etc.
NO! Radio was in use well before world war 1!!!!
Before radio, people got their news primarily from newspapers. There was also neighborhood gossip, or word of mouth. That was it.
Buttons.
bikes
benches
pickaxes
carriages
Fingernails!!
Brief case
horses or their feet.
wall sockets