1920s battery radios....how do they work?

[fixmeplease]

Next time you go on a trip put your car radio on AM and hear how nice it picks up in the country but once you get near groups of homes it goes downhill fast. Thats about the easiest way I can describe AM signals and the frustration for some receiving them.

Some used to hook to bed springs but hardly anyone has those anymore. Perhaps a furnace duct may work? What little indoor antenna work Ive done it seemed like the longer the wire the better. I did build a montrosity of an antenna about 4 feet high with wires thru holes of wood pieces (I forget the term) around and around the wood pieces and that worked pretty good. it wasnt a bad directional TV antenna either.