When I was a kid we lived in the country and there was no electricity. We had a large AM radio which was the only thing there was I think.
It took a huge EverReady battery about the size of a car battery but not nearly as heavy. We had to conserve the battery and only listened to it at night around the fireplace.
I was listening to Radio Deutschland a few years ago and they mentioned that during the 1920s they were able to broadcast worldwide on only 200 watts.
My experience, as well. No electricity until 1946, after the war. No indoor plumbing. Carried water from the springhouse 50 yards from the house for cooking and washing. Light was from kerosene lamps. Beautiful Aladdin and Ray-O-Lite lamps. And Dietz barn lanterns. Butchered a hog and a beef on Thanksgiving and 3 more hogs in mid-January. Attended a one-room school; all 8 grades in 1 room.