CBS is on the air!
The live programming debut of W2XAB on July 21, 1931 was, no doubt, the highlight of the television world that month. We’ve gone into detail about it in another post so we’ll only touch on it briefly here as we look at what else happened on the tube that month.
Both the New York Sun and Herald Tribune provided daily listings of W2XAB’s programming. Some of CBS’ big stars appeared during the month. Among the interesting names is Harry Von Zell, whose New York announcing career was just taking off. One evening on the tube, he engaged in 15 minutes of mandolin playing. Meanwhile, the Associated Press mid-west wires put the two Chicago TV stations in its daily radio listings, though there were few specifics. A paper in Indiana provided specifics but they don’t match the AP and look to be in Eastern time. Despite that, we’ll use the schedule in the Kokomo Times when available.
W2XAB suddenly went off the air in early 1933; CBS insisted there were no more experiments to be done. Of course, the mechanical system it was using was already obsolete. The company didn’t return to TV programming until 1939 and then with an electronic system.
The DeForest station in Passaic, N.J., reported on a techical breakthrough as it eliminated all but filmed programming.
Below are listings compiled from the two papers, the New York Times and AP wire, along with selected stories. There were articles and editorials in multiple American papers daily; we’ve skipped a lot of predictions to concentrate on news items, even though some are pretty geeky.
Wednesday, July 1, 1931
W2XCR (Jenkins Television)—New York—2035k—147.5 M.
(Sound on WGBS—1180kc)
3:00 p. m.—Film programs.
4:00-5:00—Same as WGBS.
4:00—Idle Roomers—Skit
4:15—Columnist’s Chat—Amy Bonner
4:30—Billie Davis, Songs.
4:45—With the Debutantes “At the Movies”
6:00-9:00—Same as WGBS.
6:00—Musical Angles
6:15—Dud and the Duke—Skit
6:30—Marcia Wallach and Jack Wilson, Songs
6:45—Sports Talk
7:00—Doug Brinkley—Talk
7:15—Daisy and Bob
7:30—Mme. Herma Menth, Piano
8:00—Debate: Resolved: “Capital Punishment Be Abolished”—Leo Solomon vs. Harold Heckman
8:30—John Murphy, Tenor
8:45—Nathalie Boshko, Violin
W2XCD (DeForest Radio)—Passaic—2035k (Sound on 1604k)
9:00 p. m.—Imhoff and Meyers, songs.
9:15—Films.
9:30— Imhoff and Meyers, songs.
9:45 to 10:30—Films.
W3XK (Jenkins Laboratories)—Washington—2065k
10:30 p. m.—Bamboos.
W2XBS (NBC)—New York—2100k
2:00-5:00 p.m.—Silhouettes; talks.
7:00-10:00—Silhouttes, annouceent.
W2XR—(Radio Pictures/John L. Hogan)—Long Island—2950k
(Sound on 1604k)
4:00-10:00 p. m.—Experimental Hour.
5:00-7:00—Experimental animated films (on 2130k)
W1XAV (Short Wave and Television Labs)—Boston—2870k
1:00-2:00 p. m.—Halftone pictures.
7:30-10:30—Halftone picture.
W9XAP (Chicago Daily News), Chicago—2800kc (WMAQ—670kc)
12:30 to 1:30; 3:00 to 4:30; 6:30 to 6:45; 7:30 to 9:00
W9XAO (Western Television Corp.)—Chicago—2000kc (WIBO—560kc)
1:45 to 2:00; 5:45 to 6:45; 7:30 to 8:00, 8:30 to 9:30
Thursday, July 2, 1931
W2XCR—New York—2035k—147.5 M.
(Sound on WGBS—1180kc)
3:00 p. m.—Film programs.
4:00-5:00—Same as WGBS.
4:00—Marie Guion, Contralto
4:15—Deacon Jazz
4:30—Etchings—William Cox
4:45—Norma Altwater, soprano
6:00-9:00—Same as WGBS.
6:00—Helene Vincent, Songs
6:15—Calendar Sketches
6:30—“Toyland”—Children’s program
6:45—Sports Talk
7:00—Eleanor Corey, soprano
7:15—Law for the Layman—Albert D. Levin
7:30—Carroll’s Orchestra
8:00—Angelus String Trio
8:30—Relativity—Rev. Edwin Curtis
8:45—Suzanne Kenyon, songs
W2XCD—Passaic—2035k
(Sound on 1604k)
9:00 p. m.—Lenore Struck, piano.
9:15—Films.
9:30— Lenore Struck, piano.
9:45 to 10:30—Films.
*W9XAP, Chicago—2800kc (WMAQ—670kc)
4:45—Sound and Sight
5:00—Silent Variety
5:25—Sound and Sight (20m.)
6:30—Sound and Sight
6:45—Silent Variety
*W9XAO, Chicago—2000kc (WIBO—560kc)
5:00—Audiovision (15m.)
6:30—Cartooning (30m.)
* Central Time
W3XK, W2XBS, W2XR, W1XAV as above
Friday, July 3, 1931
W2XCR—New York—2035k—147.5 M.
(Sound on WGBS—1180kc)3:00 p. m.—Film programs.
4:00-5:00—Same as WGBS.
4:00— Helene Chappelle, Songs
4:15—French Lessons—Thatcher Clark
4:30—Marguerite Austin, violin
4:45—Speaking of Women—Edna C. McKnight
6:00-9:00—Same as WGBS.
6:00—Ship Ahoy Trio
6:30—Selbert-Wilson Amusreel
6:45—Sports Talk
7:00—Romantic Troubadour
7:15—Sports Chat—Jack Curley
7:30—Chamberlain Brown’s Stars of Broadway
8:00—Helen Alexander, soprano
8:15—Educational Talk—Dean John J. Dandreau
8:30—G. Aldo Randegger, piano
8:45—Euterpean Waves (Herald Tribune listing)
W2XCD—Passaic—2035k
(Synchronized Sound on 1604k)
9:00 p. m.—George Menen, Joe Cusmano.
9:15—Films.
9:30—George Menen, Joe Cusmano.
9:45 to 10:30—Films.
Due to changes being made in the studios of W2XCD direct pickup television programs will be omitted during the weeks of July 6 and July 13. The programs for these two weeks, from 9 to 10:30 nightly except Sunday, will consist of motion picture films accompanied by music. Direct pickup features will be resumed on July 20. (New York Sun)
W3XK—Washington—2065k
10:30 to 11:30 p. m.—Film: "Cougar Hunt."
*W9XAP, Chicago—2800kc (WMAQ—670kc)
4:45—Silent Variety
5:25—Sound and Sight (20m.)
6:30—Silent Variety (30m.)
*W9XAO, Chicago—2000kc (WIBO—560kc)
6:30—Cartooning (30m.)
7:30—Pantomime Hour
* Central Time
W2XBS, W2XR, W1XAV as above
Saturday, July 4, 1931
W2XCR—New York—2035k—147.5 M.
(Sound on WGBS—1180kc)
3:00 p. m.—Film programs.
4:00-5:00—Same as WGBS.
4:00—Prosperity Girls, comedy
4:15—Wilson’s Orchestra
4:45—Speech Correction—William Peppard
6:00-9:00—Same as WGBS.
6:00—Quinn and Dublin Boys
6:30—Van Dyck’s Interludes
6:45—Sports Talk
7:00—Eleanor Marisa, singer
7:15—Samuel’s Proteges.
7:45—Oscar J. Smith, “Declaration of Independence”
8:00—Mme. Herma Bolduan-Engelsdorff, soprano
8:15—Marguerite Austin, violin
8:30—Talk—Fred Fitzsimmons.
8:45—Television Trio
W3XK—Washington—2065k
10:30 to 11:30 p. m.—Film: "Up to Hyalite."
*W9XAP, Chicago—2800kc (WMAQ—670kc)
4:45—Silent Variety
5:25—Sound and Sight (20m.)
*W9XAO, Chicago—2000kc (WIBO—560kc)
5:00—Audiovision (15m.)
6:30—Cartooning (30m.)
* Central Time
W2XBS, W1XAV as above
WASHINGTON, July 3.—The beginning of the new month brought more applications for television wave lengths to the Federal Radio Commission, bringing the total of pending applications to nearly twenty to compare with the twenty-two companies or individuals already authorized to conduct television experiments on the several bands of visual broadcasting wave length available.
July 1 also brought a recommendation from Chief Examiner Ellis A. Yost that the Pioneer Mercantile Company of Bakersfield, Cal., be authorized to construct a new 1.000 watt television broadcaster to test a new "single side band suppressed carrier system."
Pilot Radio Applies.
The new applications were from Pilot Radio and Tube Corporation of Lawrence, Mass., seeking a 250 watt visual station in the 2,000-2,100 kilocycle band, and from National Broadcasting Company, New York, seeking to boost the power of its ultra-high frequency visual station there, W2XBS, from 750 watts to 5,000 watts. The N. B. C. also applied for general experimental licenses to work on the extreme high frequencies up to 400,000 kilocycles, or about three-fourths of one meter.
Yesterday the Jenkins Television Corporation, already licensed in the 2,000-2,100 band, applied for a 2,000 watt station to operate in the bands between 43,000 and 80,000 kilocycles in accordance with the transmissions from WGBS, New York.
The California company's claim for television privileges rested largely on a new system using both mechanical and cathode ray scanning that not only utilizes single side band transmission, but is expected, according to the Yost report, to send out a 96-line picture twenty times a second. Eventually, the applicant claimed, 120 lines can be achieved with twenty or twenty-four pictures a second. It was also claimed that one of the other objectives is "a system permitting the synchronized development of sight and sound on a single carrier." The applicant is associated with the motion picture industry in the manufacture of cameras and projection equipment and is the second Pacific Coast applicant for television privileges. Yost recommended that the application be granted on condition that the applicant within a reasonable time make laboratory demonstration of his claims to the commission.
Others Make Bid
Other applicants to the Federal Radio Commission for television broadcasting licenses are the Indiana Community Broadcasting Company of Hartford City, Ind.; the National Company, Inc., radio manufacturers, of Malden, Mass., and the Easton Coil Company of New York city, equipment manufacturers. All must appear before an examiner of the commission next fall at a hearing to determine whether the services they propose will be in the public interest.
The National and Easton companies both are asking for assignments in the ultrahigh frequency band for the purpose of experimenting with television equipment. (New York Sun)
Sunday July 5, 1931
W2XCR—New York—2035k
(Sound on WGBS)
6:00-9:00 p. m.—Same as WGBS.
6:00—Musical Etchings
6:15—Moralles Spanish Group
6:30—Irish Echo Boys
7:15—Irma Riedo, sporano
7:30—Sketch—“The Press Agent”
7:45—Victor Turner, Xylophone; George Vokel, Piano
8:00—Loma Worth, music
8:15—Three guitars
8:30—Nita O’Neil, songs
8:45—Snapshots—dramatic sketch
The Chicago Federation of Labor broadcast station WCFL is to use the call letters W9XAA for its proposed television transmitter, sending out picture on 60 lines. (Paducah Sun-Democrat)
Monday, July 6, 1931
W2XCR—New York—2035k—147.5 M.
(Sound on WGBS—1180kc)
4:00-5:00—Same as WGBS.
4:00—Bessie Ruth, soprano
4:15—Josephine Wehn, Dialect Skits
4:30—Hernan Rodriguez, Guitar
4:45—Weight Reduction—Dr. Shirley Wynne
6:00-9:00—Same as WGBS.
6:00—Blue Melody Ramblers
6:30—Dream Lovers
6:45—Sports Talk
7:00—Romantic Troubadour
7:15—Theatre Topics—Harriet Menken
7:45—Flanagan Trio
8:00—Twilight Trio
8:30—Kurley’s Orchestra
W2XCD—Passaic—2035k
(Synchronized Sound on 1604k)
9:00-10:30 p. m.—Films and music.
W3XK—Washington—2065k
7:00-9:00 p. m.—Wheels of Progress
10:30-11:30—Wheels of Progress.
W9XAP, Chicago—2800kc (WMAQ—670kc)
10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; 3:00 to 4:30; 7:30 to 8:00 p.m.
W9XAO, Chicago—2000kc (WIBO—560kc)
1:45 to 2:00 p.m.; 5:45 to 6:45; 7:30 to 8:00.
W2XBS, W2XR, W1XAV as above
Station W2XAB, television transmitter running a series of tests preliminary to starting a regular schedule, has been on the air less than a week and already highly favorable reports have been received by Edgar Wallace, the chain’s television engineer.
These have come from Boston, Schenectady and other places closer at hand, advising that pictures of remarkable detail have been received. Most of the reports comment on the fact that the results obtained have toppled those from other New York television stations. (C.E. Butterfield, AP column)
Tuesday, July 7, 1931
W2XCR—New York—2035k—147.5 M.
(Sound on WGBS—1180kc)
4:00-5:00—Same as WGBS.
4:00—Kathryn Lewis, Songs
4:15—Women’s United Synagogue League
4:30—Mary Bongert, Soprano
4:45—Mme. Marie von Unschuld, piano
6:00-9:00—Same as WGBS.
6:00—Y. W. C. A. Quartet
6:30—Selbert-Wilson Music
6:45—Sports Talk
7:00—Television Trio
7:15—What’s New?—A. David Schenker
7:30—Night in Italy
8:00—Wertheim’s Music
8:30—“Wings Weather”—Lieut. Commander J. W. Iseman
8:45—Daisy and Bob
The first illustrated lecture in a series of piano lessons will be given on Tuesday [7] at 4:45 P. M. by television over W2XCR ad WGBS by Mme. Marie von Unschuld. Mme. von Unschuld, who has for many years devoted herself to teaching, conceived the idea of filming her lessons and will now broadcast this course by television. The course will be arranged for both beginners and piano teachers. (New York Sun, July 3)
W9XAP, Chicago—2800kc (WMAQ—670kc)
12:30-1:30; 3:00-4:30; 7:30-8:00 p.m.
W9XAO, Chicago—2000kc (WIBO—560kc)
1:30-1:45—Joe De Salvo
6:00-6:15—Speed Freeman
W2XCD, W3XK, W2XBS, W1XAV as above
Wednesday, July 8, 1931
W2XCR—New York—2035k—147.5 M.
(Sound on WGBS—1180kc)
3:00 p. m.—Film programs.
4:00-5:00—Same as WGBS.
4:00—Idle Roomers—Skit
4:15—Columnist’s Chat—Amy Bonner
4:30—Billie Davis—“Personality Girl”
4:45— “At the Movies”
6:00-9:00—Same as WGBS.
6:00—Two Lads of Melody
6:15—Dud and the Duke—Skit
6:30—Marcia Wallach and Jack Wilson, Songs
6:45—Sports Talk
7:00—Doug Brinkley—Talk
7:15—Elena Mariss, soprano
7:30—Mme. Herma Menth, Piano
8:00—Debate
8:30—John Murphy, Tenor
8:45—Nathalie Boshko, Violin
W2XCD—Passaic—2035k (Sound on 1604k)
9:45-10:30—Motion picture films and music.
W9XAP, Chicago—2800kc (WMAQ—670kc)
3 to 4:30 p.m.
W9XAO, Chicago—2000kc (WIBO—560kc)
6 to 6:15 p.m.—Frank Blanchard
W3XK, W2XBS, W2XR, W1XAV as above
WASHINGTON, July 8 (AP)—The Crosley Radio Corporation of Cincinnati today asked the Radio Commission for authority to construct a visual broadcasting station. If authority were granted, the proposed station would join the 20 experimental television stations already in operation.
Thursday, July 9, 1931
W2XCR—New York—2035k—147.5 M.
(Sound on WGBS—1180kc)
3:00 p. m.—Film programs.
4:00-5:00—Same as WGBS.
4:00—Marie Guion, Contralto
4:15—Deacon Jazz
4:30—Etchings—William Cox
4:45—Norma Altwater, soprano
6:00-9:00—Same as WGBS.
6:00—Helene Vincent, Songs
6:15—Calendar Sketches
6:30—Children’s Songs
6:45—Sports Talk
7:00—Frank Gough, baritone
7:15—Justice Brandeis Society
7:30—Television trio
7:45—Edith Klein, mezzo.
8:00—Spanish Serenaders
8:30—Relativity—Rev. Edwin Curtis
8:45—Suzanne Kenyon, songs
W2XCD—Passaic—2035k
(Sound on 1604k)
9:00 to 10:30—Motion picture films and music.
W9XAP, Chicago—2800kc (WMAQ—670kc)
12:30-12:45—News.
5:45-6:00—Model Airplane Club.
6:30-6:45—Totten Sports.
7:45-8:00—Health Talks
W9XAO, Chicago—2000kc (WIBO—560kc)
1:30-1:45—Joe de Salvo
6:00-6:15—Phyllis Steler
W3XK, W2XBS, W2XR, W1XAV as above
William Schudt, jr., who has been connected CBS since its purchase of WABC about two years ago and who is a former New York radio editor, has been named to take charge of television program production at W2XAB, the chain’s short wave picture transmitter. The opening program for the station, now running a series of tests, is expected to be put on within a week or so. (C.E. Butterfield, AP column)
SCHENECTADY, N.Y. , July 9 (AP)—King Prajadnipok of Siam, who has been a guest at the home of the late Mrs. Whitelaw Reid in Westchester County, will be the guest of the International General Electric Company at its local plant tomorrow, the company announced today.
The king and seven other members of the royal party will be taken through the plant by E. W. Rice, Jr., honorary chairman of the board of directors. The king and others of his party will be shown the “House of Magic,” where corn is popped by radio, artificial lightning bolts created and other wonders of the electrical age. There also will be a television demonstration for his entertainment.
Friday, July 10, 1931
W2XCR—New York—2035k—147.5 M.
(Sound on WGBS—1180kc)
3:00 p. m.—Film programs.
4:00-5:00—Same as WGBS.
4:00— Helene Chappelle, Songs
4:15—French Lessons—Thatcher Clark
4:30—Luis Herrere, guitar
4:45—Speaking of Women—Edna C. McKnight
6:00-9:00—Same as WGBS.
6:00—Ship Ahoy Trio
6:30—Selbert-Wilson Amusreel
6:45—Sports Talk
7:00—Romantic Troubadour
7:15—Sports Chat—Jack Curley
7:30—Chamberlain Brown’s Stars of Broadway
8:00—Zunia Schneiderman, basso
8:15—Educational Talk—Dean John J. Dandreau
8:30—G. Aldo Randegger, Piano
W9XAP, Chicago—2800kc (WMAQ—670kc)
12:30-12:45—News.
W9XAO, Chicago—2000kc (WIBO—560kc)
1:30-1:45—Adrian Blitz
W2XCD, W3XK, W2XBS, W2XR, W1XAV as above
A 45-minute program of both sight and sound will be presented on the night of July 21 to inaugurate the new television transmitter, W2XAB, New York, of the CBS chain. The sound part of the program will be sent over a coast to coast network, while the pictures will go out only on W2XAB, 2750 kilocycles. The program will inaugurate a seven-hour daily period on the television station, which is now undergoing a series of tests. Celebrities from the stage, screen and national life are expected to participate (C.E. Butterfield, AP column)
The mooring mast of the Empire State Building, which rises 1,250 feet above the street, will soon be surmounted by a television antenna, and it is hoped that within a year television for public use will be in actual operation.
This prediction was made yesterday with the announcement by former Governor Alfred E. Smith, president of Empire State, Inc., and Merlin H. Aylesworth, president of the National Broadcasting Company that the latter concern was about to establish television studios and laboratories on top of the Empire State Building. Mr. Aylesworth said application already had been made to the Federal Radio Commission for experimental licenses for special equipment to be insta11ed on the eighty-fifth floor of the world’s tallest structure.
Mr. Aylesworth said the establishment of this lofty experiment station was for the purpose of bringing television out of the laboratory and beginning experimental transmission. Engineers believe the operation of apparatus at this height will be helpful in surmounting the difficulties which have beset television in the past. Mr. Aylesworth thought that after about a year of intensive experiment under actual working conditions television would have progressed to the point where “the public will be invited to participate.” (Herald Tribune)
Saturday, July 11, 1931
W2XCR—New York—2035k—147.5 M.
(Sound on WGBS—1180kc)3:00 p. m.—Film programs.
4:00-5:00—Same as WGBS.
4:00—Prosperity Girls, comedy
4:15—Benridge Orchestra
6:00-9:00—Same as WGBS.
6:00—Quinn’s Dublin Boys
6:30—Van Dycke’s Interludes
6:45—Sports Talk
7:00—Luetta Steinemann “China.”
7:15—Samuel’s Proteges.
7:45—Television Trio
8:00—Rose White, soprano
8:15—John S. Greenwalt, Nature’s Music
8:30—J. Norman’s Sports Talk.
8:45—Marguerite Austin, violinist
W2XCR, W2XBS, W1XAV as above
W9XAP, Chicago—2800kc (WMAQ—670kc)
12:30-12:45—News.
6:30-6:45—Sport News
W9XAO, Chicago—2000kc (WIBO—560kc)
1:30-1:45—Frank Blanchard.
6:00-6:15—Speed Freeman.
A weekly feature of television station WGBS-W2XCR is the fiftee-nminute program of songs of all nations by Suzanne Kenyon, soprano.
Miss Kenyon will appear in authentic costumes, her first appearance being scheduled for Thursday evening at 8:45. (New York Sun)
On Tuesday evening at 8:45. Dr. Sigmund Spaeth will make his second television appearance over WGBS-W2XCR as 'The Balladeer." Dr. Spaeth, in the costume of the Gay Nineties, will present various popular songs of forty or fifty years ago. (New York Sun)
Sunday July 12, 1931
W2XCR—New York—2035k
(Sound on WGBS)
6:00-9:00 p. m.—Same as WGBS.
6:00—Musical Etchings
6:15—Moralles Spanish Group
6:30—Irish Echo Boys
7:15—Irma Riedo, sporano
7:30—Tora Sonnett, Piano
7:45—Victor Turner, Xylophone; George Vokel, Piano
8:00—Trio
8:15—Tropical Orchestra
8:45—Snapshots—dramatic sketch
WASHINGTON. July 11.—A television broadcasting station for St. Louis was sought in an application filed with the Federal Radio Commission today by the Trav-Ler Manufacturing Corporation of Illnois, 18l Washington avenue. St. Louis. Filed by C. R. Ogle, secretary of the corporation, the application states there are no licensed experimental television stations in or near St. Louis “due to the problem of synchronization.” Television, it adds, “must be a local proposition.” The corporation, according to the application, is capitalized at $10,000. The station would cost $3000 and is to be completed within 90 days after receipt of authority. Images to be transmitted would be of the recognized standard of 60 lines with 20 frames per second. The transmitter would be of 500 watts power, and would be built by engineers of the company. R. O. Proehl was named as the chief engineer. The channels requested: are 2300 to 2500 and 1750 to 2000 kilocycles. (Post-Dispatch)
*W9XAP, Chicago—2800kc (WMAQ—670kc)
4:45—Silent Variety.
5:30—Sound and Sight (15m)
7:30—Silent Variety (30m)
*W9XAO, Chicago—2000kc (WIBO—560kc)
5:00—Audiovision (15m)
6:30—Cartooning (30m)
7:30—Pantomime Hour
* Central Time
Monday, July 13, 1931
W2XCR—New York—2035k—147.5 M.
(Sound on WGBS—1180kc)
4:00-5:00—Same as WGBS.
4:00—Bessie Bickford, soprano
4:15—Josephine Wehn, Dialect Skits
4:30—Hernan Rodriguez, Guitar
4:45—Weight Reduction—Dr. Shirley Wynne
6:00-9:00—Same as WGBS.
6:00—Jose Reyes, baritone
6:15—Salon Trio
6:30—Dream Lovers
6:45—Sports Talk
7:00—Romantic Troubadour
7:15—Theatre Topics—Harriet Menken
7:30—Flanagan Trio
8:00—Television Trio
8:30—Kurley’s Orchestra
W3XK—Washington—2065k 7:00-9:00 p. m.—Wheels of Progress
10:30-11:30—Wheels of Progress.
W2XCD (DeForest)—Passaic—2035k (Sound on 1604k)
9:00 p. m.—Marsden, illustrated talk.
9:15 to 10:30—Films.
W9XAO, Chicago—2000kc (WIBO—560kc)
6:00-6:15—Phyllis Stepler
6:30-6:45—Sports News
7:30-8:00—Cartoons
W2XBS, W2XR, W1XAV as above
Tuesday, July 14, 1931
W2XCR—New York—2035k—147.5 M.
(Sound on WGBS—1180kc)
4:00-5:00—Same as WGBS.
4:00—Kathryn Lewis, Songs
4:15—About New York—Edward Spranger
4:30—Mary Bongert, Soprano
4:45—Mme. Marie von Unschuld, piano
6:00-9:00—Same as WGBS.
6:00—String Quartet
6:30—Selbert-Wilson Music with Janet Reade
6:45—Sports Talk
7:00—Television Trio
7:15—What’s New?—A. David Schenker
7:30—Night in Italy
8:00—Wertheim’s Music
8:30—“Aviation”—Lieut. Commander J. W. Iseman
8:45—“The Balladeer” Dr Sigmund Spaeth, songs
NEW YORK, July 14—The honor of being the first piper to play over television radio is the coveted distinction won tonight by Harold Sutherland, young Nova Scotian Highland piper, who played over television station WGBS in New York. Wearing his full costume the strains of Harold’s pipes were carried to thousands of radio listeners while his youthful picture was cast upon the receiving sets of the television listeners.
Young Sutherland, who shared the feature part of the radio program with Mayor Ritchie, of Halifax, was introduced by William Morris as a special representative of Nova Scotia who had come to New York to bring an advanced welcome to thousands of Now Yerkers who will visit that province. Later during the evening, young Sutherland played from the stage of the Palace Theatre, appearing on the same program with the famous comedian Lou Holtz and the Broadway star Lydia Roberti.
Nova Scotia competed with Broadway last night and won. On board the giant liner Berengaria, outward bound from Halifax, Harold Sutherland was given a feature place on the evening's entertainment program. Dressed in Highland kilts, the honoured costume of hardy forefathers, young Harold struck up "The Campbells are Coming" and as the Highland music wafted through the dining saloons of the greet ocean liner, the passengers arose to pay tribute to thy young lad who, taking part on a program featuring Broadway stars, was the sensation of the evening.
Harold Sutherland has come to New York as the special guest of Colonel Walter President of the Scottish Societies in the United States and will return to Nova Scotia on the Belgenland which sails on Saturday carrying hundreds of holiday seekers on the first showboat cruise. (Halifax Mail)
W2XCD—Passaic—2035k
(Sound on 1604k)
9:00 to 10:30—Motion picture films and music.
W9XAP, Chicago—2800kc (WMAQ—670kc)
5:45-6:45—Airplane Club
6:30-6:45—Sports News
W9XAO, Chicago—2000kc (WIBO—560kc)
6:00-6:15—Phyllis Stepler
7:30-8:00—Cartoons
W3XK, W2XBS, W1XAV as above
Wednesday, July 15, 1931
W2XCR—New York—2035k—147.5 M.
(Sound on WGBS—1180kc)
3:00 p. m.—Film programs.
4:00-5:00—Same as WGBS.
4:00—Idle Roomers—Skit
4:15—Columnist’s Chat—Amy Bonner
4:30—Billie Davis—“Personality Girl”
4:45—With the Debutantes “At the Movies”
6:00-9:00—Same as WGBS.
6:00—Two Lads of Melody
6:15—James Liversedge, Character sketches
6:30—Elise Duffield
6:45—Sports Talk
7:00—Doug Brinkley—Interview with Heywood Broun
7:15—Ana de Moralles, Spanish
7:30—Mme. Herma Menth, Pianiste
8:00—Debate
8:30—John Murphy, Tenor
8:45—Nathalie Boshko, Violin
W2XCD—Passaic—2035k (Sound on 1604k)
9:45-10:30—Motion picture films and music.
W9XAP, Chicago—2800kc (WMAQ—670kc)
4:45—Silent Variety
5:25—Sound and Sight (20m.)
5:30 to 5:45—Sports News
6:30—Silent Variety (30m.)
W9XAO, Chicago—2000kc (WIBO—560kc)
5:00—Audiovision, Frank Blanchard (15m.)
6:30—Cartooning (30m.)
7:30 to 8:30—Club 99.
W3XK, W2XBS, W2XR, W1XAV as above
Starting tonight, W1XAV, Boston television station, will start a sound and sight schedule, the sound to move out on W1XAU. Thereafter, the two stations will be on together each Monday, Wednesday and Friday night. Both operate on short waves. (C.E. Butterfield, AP column)
Harriet Menken, the theatrical columnist of the air, who comes to us by way of WGBS and W2XCR, each Monday night, at 7:15, finds her ability to speak extemporaneously a great asset in television. In the three years she has been talking over the air on various stations, Miss Menken has never, since the first six months, read her speech. She is one of the few of all the thousands who go over the ether to talk for her allotted time without having to look down to consult her paper. In television Miss Menken finds herself fortunate not to have to lower her eyes during the broadcast. Her habit of microphone ad lobbing stands her in good stead in these visuals days (Brooklyn Citizen)
LAWRENCE, Mass (AP)—A application for a 250-watt television transmitter has been filed by Pilot, now located here but which in 1928 conducted a number of radio picture tests in New York.
Thursday, July 16, 1931
W2XCR—New York—2035k—147.5 M.
(Sound on WGBS—1180kc)
3:00 p. m.—Film programs.
4:00-5:00—Same as WGBS.
4:00—Marie Guion, Contralto
4:15—Deacon Jazz
4:30—Etchings—William Cox
4:45—Mary Rouark, monologue
6:00-9:00—Same as WGBS.
6:00—Helene Vincent, Songs
6:15—Calendar Sketches
6:30—Children’s Songs
6:45—Sports Talk
7:00—Television Trio
7:15—Justice Brandeis Society
7:30—Luis Herrere, guitar
7:45—Edith Klein, mezzo.
8:00—Spanish Serenaders
8:30—Relativity—Rev. Edwin Curtis
8:45—Suzanne Kenyon, songs
W2XCD—Passaic—2035k
(Sound on 1604k)
9:00 to 10:30—Motion picture films and music.
W9XAP, Chicago—2800kc (WMAQ—670kc)
5:45-6:00 Model Airplane club
6:30-6:45 Totten sports
7:45-8:00 Health Talk
W9XAO, Chicago—2000kc (WIBO—560kc)
7:30-8:00 cartoons
W3XK, W2XBS, W2XR, W1XAV as above
Radio station KMOX has asked the Federal Radio Commission to defer its hearing for application for a television license until September. The reason for this postponement is that KMOX believe a radical new television development that surpasses in quality anything here before known, is now being perfected. Consequently, rather than install television equipment which will become obsolete with the advent of this new development, KMOX has asked for this postponement. (St. Louis Star)
Friday, July 17, 1931
W2XCR—New York—2035k—147.5 M.
(Sound on WGBS—1180kc)
3:00 p. m.—Film programs.
4:00-5:00—Same as WGBS.
4:00— Helene Chappelle, Songs
4:15—French Lessons—Thatcher Clark
4:30—Francesco Losavio, tenor
4:45—Speaking of Women—Edna C. McKnight
6:00-9:00—Same as WGBS.
6:00—Ship Ahoy Trio
6:30—Selbert-Wilson Amusreel
6:45—Sports Talk
7:00—Romantic Troubadour
7:15—Sports Chat—Jack Curley
7:30—Chamberlain Brown’s Stars of Broadway
8:00—Capt. Bate Preston, travel
8:15—Mme. Mariska Aldrich, songs
8:30—“European Waves” G. Aldo Randegger, Piano
W9XAP, Chicago—2800kc (WMAQ—670kc)
12:30 to 12:45-News
W9XAO, Chicago—2000kc (WIBO—560kc)
1:30-1:45—Punch and Judy Show
7:30 to 8—Cartoons
8:30 to 9:30—99 Club
W2XCD, W3XK, W2XBS, W2XR, W1XAV as above
Saturday, July 18, 1931
W2XCR—New York—2035k—147.5 M.
(Sound on WGBS—1180kc)
3:00 p. m.—Film programs.
4:00-5:00—Same as WGBS.
4:00—Prosperity Girls, comedy
4:15—Walter Leege’s Orchestra
4:45—Helen Hoss, songstress
6:00-9:00—Same as WGBS.
6:00—William Quinn’s Dublin Boys
6:30—Van Dycke’s Interludes
6:45—Sports Talk
7:00—Luetta Steinemann “China.”
7:15—Samuel’s Proteges.
7:45—Annette Wagner, contralto
8:00—Jordan, One-Man Show
8:15—John S. Greenawalt, Nature’s Music
8:30—Jack Norman’s Sports Talk.
8:45—Martine Burnley, violinist
Dr. Thatcher Clark, who speaks more than a dozen languages, will give weekly lessons in phonetic French over WGBS-W2XCR on Fridays at 4:15 P. M. Dr. Clark has had wide experience in teaching languages (New York Sun)
W9XAP, Chicago—2800kc (WMAQ—670kc)
6:30 to 6:45—Sports News
W9XAO, Chicago—2000kc (WIBO—560kc)
6:00 to 6:15—Speed Freeman
7:30 to 8:00—Cartoons
W2XCR, W2XBS, W1XAV as above
Sunday July 19, 1931
W2XCR—New York—2035k
(Sound on WGBS)
6:00-9:00 p. m.—Same as WGBS.
6:00—Musical Etchings
6:15—Miriam Crawford, monologues
6:30—Irish Echo Boys
7:15—Jose Reyes, baritone
7:30—Dorothy Rosenthal, violin
7:45—Victor Turner, Xylophone; George Volkel, Pinao
8:00—Beatrice Firestone—sketches
8:15—Daisy and Bob, duets
8:30—Nita O’Neil, songs
8:45—Snapshots—dramatic sketch
Monday, July 20, 1931
W2XCR—New York—2035k—147.5 M.
(Sound on WGBS—1180kc)
4:00-5:00—Same as WGBS.
4:00—Rietta Duval, songs
4:15—Joe Renzer, saw
4:30—Hernan Rodriguez, Guitar
4:45—Weight Reduction—Dr. Shirley Wynne
6:00-9:00—Same as WGBS.
6:00—O’Byrne DeWitt’s Orchestra
6:30—Jack Ribbey, songs
6:45—Sports Talk
7:00—Romantic Troubadour
7:15—Theatre Topics—Harriet Menken
7:30—Flanagan (Innasail) Trio
8:00—Television Trio; Annette Wagner, Contralto, Louise Kelley, Soprano
8:30—Kurley’s Orchestra
W9XAP, Chicago—2800kc (WMAQ—670kc)
12:33-12:45—News
6:30 to 6:45—Sports News
W9XAO, Chicago—2000kc (WIBO—560kc)
1:30-1:45—Jean Munich
6:00 to 6:15—Phyllis Stepler
7:30 to 8:00—Cartoons
W2XCD, W2XBS, W3XK, W2XR, W1XAV as above
Tuesday, July 21, 1931
W2XAB (CBS)—New York—2750k
(Sound on W2XE)
10:15 p. m.—Inaugural Television Broadcast, Mayor Walker and others
The first television program of the Columbia Broadcasting System was put on last night from 10:15 to 11 p. m., with Mayor Walker raising the curtain from the photo-electric cells and introducing Miss Natalie Towers, especially engaged for the television broadcasts. Beginning today there will be a daily seven-hour program of television broadcasts, lasting from 2 to 6 p. m. and from 8 to 11 p. m.The first experiment of the new station, W2XAB, will be tried tomorrow night [23], when an effort will be to transmit a program, lasting an hour, to the United States liner Leviathan, which will be only a few hours outside the harbor. The sound synchronization will be broadcast over W2XE. Three television installations have been made aboard, two for the ship’s night club and one for the tourist section.
More than a hundred guests, seated in a studio on the twenty-first floor of the Columbia Broadcasting System Building, at 485 Madison Avenue, watched the program last night. Five television receivers were installed for the occasion. Two floors above the studio was the television station, where four rooms are devoted to the studio, scanner, control and transmitter. The guests were received by Edward Klauber, vice-president of the Columbia System.
The images in the televisor were quite plain last night, although red waves seemed to run through them constantly. Mayor Walker’s features were easily recognizable, and the Mayor commented somewhat on the difference television would make in politics. Hereafter, the Mayor intimated, the people would be able to see the man who was asking for their support, and that factor alone might sway a number of votes. The Mayor, complimenting the system on Its new experiment, called television “outromancing romance.”
The television of today was hailed as “perhaps comparable to the phonograph of 1910 and the motion picture of 1905” in a speech by Edwin K. Cohan, technical director of the system, before the television set. “Television will advance from now on just as surely as the broadcasting has, and I believe at no less a pace,” Mr. Cohan said. “It will progressively bring to you the individual and small groups, the larger groups and complete symphonic and stage presentations, the outdoor sporting events and the spot news. It will eventually bring these to you in natural color.”
Mr. Cohan said that the new station was being carried on purely as an experiment to determine the scope and he limitations of the new medium.
Dr. Walter Schaffer, chief engineer of the Reichs-Rundfunk-Gesellschaft, the German broadcasting system, was also televised last night. A number of entertainers also appeared. A small night club piano was used for the broadcasting, being mounted on movable platform so that it could be noiselessly moved in and out of the picture.
George Gershwin, composer, played “Liza,” one of his compositions. Other entertainers appearing were Kate Smith, Henry Burbig, Helen Nugent, Ben Alley, the Boswell sisters, Helen Gilligan and Milton Watson. Ted Husing was master of ceremonies.
Station W2XAB, like other television stations in the East, sends picture on sixty lines, twenty frames a minute. The frequency is 2,750 kilocycles and power is 500 watts. There are two other television stations in midtown New York, all within a half-mile area. Many of the future television broadcasts will go out without sound synchronization, although some of them are to include sound, going out on W2XE, the chain’s short wave broadcasting station. Only occasionally will there be network broadcasts. (Herald Tribune)
W2XCR—New York—2035k—147.5 M.
(Sound on WGBS—1180kc)
4:00-5:00—Same as WGBS.
4:00—Kathryn Lewis, Songs
4:15—About New York—Edward Spranger
4:30—Mary Bongert, Soprano
4:45—Mme. Marie von Unschuld, piano
6:00-9:00—Same as WGBS.
6:00—Y. W. C. A. String Quartet
6:30—Three Dreamers
6:45—Sports Talk
7:00—Meb and Mac
7:15—Seibert-Wilson Amusereel
7:30—Night in Italy
8:00—Wertheim’s Music
8:30—“Aviation”—Lieut. Commander J. W. Iseman
8:45—Marguerite Austin, violin, songs
W9XAP, Chicago—2800kc (WMAQ—670kc)
6:30 to 6:45—Sports News
W9XAO, Chicago—2000kc (WIBO—560kc)
7:30 to 8:00—Cartoons
W2XCD, W3XK, W2XBS, W1XAV as above
The first shore-to-ship television broadcast ever attempted will be a feature of the United States liner Leviathan’s short cruise which starts from New York Thursday evening with more than 1,200 passengers bound for Halifax and returning here the following Monday morning.
As soon as voyagers finish dinner on sailing night the first class passengers will assemble in the Club Leviathan to witness the broadcast experiment from Station W2XAB of the Columbia Broadcasting System.
The following night a similar program is being arranged from Station W1XAU of the Short Wave Television Corporation of Boston. The short wave receivers Installed aboard the liner will receive dance music from Paris, London, Berlin and Rome, giving an international tinge to the festivities.
In addition the Leviathan also will feature acts by well known vaudeville artists, who will broadcast from the ship over the National Broadcasting System. (News Tribune)
Wednesday, July 22, 1931
W2XAB (CBS)—New York—2750k
(Sound on W2XE)
8:00 p. m.—Theo Karle, tenor
8:15—Tony’s Scrapbook
8:30—Charlotte Harriman, songs
8:45—Ben Alley, tenor
9:00—Tele musicale. Vocal trio; orchestra; Nat Brusiloff, violinist; Dave Elman, comedian; Natalie Towers
9:30—Bob Taplinger interview, Meet the Artist
9:45—Mina Hager, soprano
10:00—Television Drama
10:15—Helen Nugent, songs
10:30—Scholtz and Brae, The Jolly Jugglers
10:54—Evan Evans, baritone
W2XCR—New York—2035k—147.5 M.
(Sound on WGBS—1180kc)
3:00 p. m.—Film programs.
4:00-5:00—Same as WGBS.
4:00—Idle Roomers—Skit
4:15—Columnist’s Chat—Amy Bonner
4:30—Billie Davis—“Personality Girl”
4:45—With the Debutantes “At the Movies”
6:00-9:00—Same as WGBS.
6:00—Two Lads of Melody
6:15—James Liversedge, Character sketches
6:30—Elise Duffield, soprano
6:45—Sports Talk
7:00—Doug Brinkley—Interview
7:15—De Moralles, Spanish group
7:30—Mme. Herma Menth, Pianiste
8:00—Debate
8:30—John Murphy, Tenor
8:45—Nathalie Boshko, Violin
W2XCD—Passaic—2035k (Sound on 1604k)
9:45-10:30—Motion picture films and music.
W9XAP, Chicago—2800kc (WMAQ—670kc)
12:33-12:45—News
6:30 to 6:45—Sports News
W9XAO, Chicago—2000kc (WIBO—560kc)
1:30-1:45—Dominick Pinchintino
6:00-6:15—Programming
7:30 to 8:00—Cartoons
8:30-9:30—99 Club program
W3XK, W2XBS, W2XR, W1XAV as above
Thursday, July 23, 1931
W2XAB (CBS)—New York—2750k
(Sound on W2XE)
8:00 p. m.—Miller and Lyles, comedy
8:15—Roger Kinne, baritone
8:30—Emery Deutsch, the Wandering Gypsy
8:45—Piano views and moods
9:00—Male trio; Daddy and Rollo; Talk by M. B. Rogers; instrumentalists
10:00—Nit-Wit hour
10:30—Poet’s Gold with David Ross
10:45—Artells Dickson, baritone
W2XCR—New York—2035k—147.5 M.
(Sound on WGBS—1180kc)
3:00 p. m.—Film programs.
4:00-5:00—Same as WGBS.
4:00—Marie Guion, Contralto
4:15—Deacon Jazz
4:30—Etchings—William Cox
4:45—Mildred Hartley, songs
6:00-9:00—Same as WGBS.
6:00—Helene Vincent, Songs
6:15—Calendar Sketches
6:30—Toyland—Children’s Songs
6:45—Sports Talk
7:00—Norma Altwater, soprano
7:15—Justice Brandeis Society
7:30—Oriental Romances
8:00—Edith Klein, mezzo.
8:15—V. Turner, xylophonist
8:30—Relativity—Rev. Edwin Curtis
8:45—Suzanne Kenyon, songs
W2XCD—Passaic—2035k
(Sound on 1604k)
9:00 to 10:30—Motion picture films and music.
W9XAP, Chicago—2800kc (WMAQ—670kc)
12:33-12:45—News
6:30 to 6:45—Hal Totten Sports
W9XAO, Chicago—2000kc (WIBO—560kc)
12:45-1:00—Speed Freeman
1:30-1:45—Jean Mundich
7:30 to 8:00—Cartoons
W3XK, W2XBS, W2XR, W1XAV as above
Friday, July 24, 1931
W2XAB (CBS)—New York—2750k
(Sound on W2XE)
8:00 p. m.—Mahoney and Carlisle, duets.
8:15—Roy Atwell, “Tangled Talk.”
8:30—Irene Beasley
8:45—Edna Thomas, “Lady From Louisiana”
9:00—“Seeing What You Hear” Frank Ross, tenor; Barbara Maurel, contralto; comedy skit.
9:45—Harry Von Zell
10:00—Kathryn Parsons, songs
10:15—Whispering Jack Smith
10:30—The Boswell Sisters
10:45—Connie Boswell.
W2XCR—New York—2035k—147.5 M.
(Sound on WGBS—1180kc)
3:00 p. m.—Film programs.
4:00-5:00—Same as WGBS.
4:00— Helene Chappelle, Songs
4:15—French Lessons—Thatcher Clark
4:30—Arthur Newborn, songs
4:45—Stamp Collection—P. H. Thorpe
6:00-9:00—Same as WGBS.
6:00—Trio: Three Dreamers
6:30—Selbert-Wilson Amusereel: Sidney Skolsky, guest
6:45—Sports Talk
7:00—Romantic Troubadour
7:15—Sports Chat—Jack Curley
7:30—Chamberlain Brown’s Stars of Broadway
8:00—Capt. Bate Preston, Dover Patrol
8:15—Elena Marisa, soprano
8:30—“European Waves” G. Aldo Randegger, Piano
W9XAP, Chicago—2800kc (WMAQ—670kc)
12:33-12:45—News
6:30 to 6:45—Sports News
W9XAO, Chicago—2000kc (WIBO—560kc)
1:30-1:45—Punch and Judy Show
7:30 to 8:00—Cartoons
W2XCD, W3XK, W2XBS, W2XR, W1XAV as above
Saturday, July 25, 1931
W2XAB (CBS)—New York—2750k
(Sound on W2XE)
8:00 p. m.—“Collar Knights” Brad and Al, comedians
8:30—Virginia George, soprano
8:45—Reis and Dunn, songs
9:00—David Ross, readings
9:15—Sidelights of Old Sweden
9:30—Frank Ruhr, tenor; Charlotte Harriman, contralto.
10:00—Special broadcast.
The inaugural television program by the Columbia system last Tuesday evening was not a mere flash in the pan, according to a bulletin of future plans just released by William Schudt, Jr., director of vision activities for the system. Columbia fully intends to set a pace that will put it far in the forefront of television pioneers.For the present, at least, station W2XAB will transmit pictures for seven hours daily, with W2XE handling the synchronized voice. So far this setup is not strangely different from other television organizations, but W2XAB enjoys facilities which will tend to throw the balance in its favor. For instance, it is the intention of the system to use its millions of dollars worth of talent during the evening hours of 8 to 11. These appearances will be entirely separate from the regular programs of WABC and will be costumed and arranged particularly for vision. Furthermore, John S. Carlile, production director of Columbia, has consented to the use in rotation of the best announcers of WABC for the purpose of giving the television audience the best announcerial talent.
During the coming week artists well known to radio listeners from coast to coast will be made available to televisers. Guy Lombardo, one of the orchestral favorites, will prove to doubting Thomases that he can actually play the violin which he holds in his hands while directing. This demonstration will take place on Monday night. On Thursday night the same station will introduce some experiments in visual drama, with Georgia Backus as director. There will be supplementary features on these and other nights. (New York Sun)
The first shore-to-ship television broadcast in history was made successfully last night between station W1XAV, operated by the Shortwave and Television Corporation at 70 Brookline av, this city, and the steam ship Leviathan, 500 miles at sea, off Nova Scotia.
It was a severe test for the fog was so dense where the Leviathan was sailing that Capt Randall felt bound to remain on the bridge. Despite this fog, the flickering “head and shoulders” images of Mayor Curley and George Bancroft, the motion picture star, were clearly discerned in the television set the company had installed aboard the liner.
Advices to this effect were received in a radio telephone conversation between Mayor Curley and Mr Bancroft and the liner at the conclusion of the television broadcast.
Mayor Curley, in his speech, touched on several subjects of interest to those on board the Leviathan and to those who live in the Maritime Provinces. He spoke of the plans to operate in airplane service between Boston and the Provinces during the Summer, beginning one week hence.
He told how Boston sent relief after the ammunition ship explosion in Halifax Harbor during the World War and how Col Percy Guthrie of the Black Watch was given the first permission to recruit soldiers in Boston during the World War. He praised Capt Randall as America’s leading merchant marine captain and gave his best wishes to the passengers.
Mr Bancroft next appeared on the television screen. He said he wished he could join his friends on board the ship instead of returning to Hollywood tomorrow. He explained his presence in Boston and said he did not believe the people in Boston realized what an immense place the Fore River works of the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation was.
Entertainment by various radio favorites completed the hour’s program.
Mayor Curley and Mr Bancroft were clearly seen in the television sets despite the fact they were not “made up” as must be done with television as well as motion pictures for best results. (Boston Globe)
W2XCR—New York—2035k—147.5 M.
(Sound on WGBS—1180kc)
3:00 p. m.—Film programs.
4:00-5:00—Same as WGBS.
4:00—Prosperity Girls, comedy
4:15—Walter Leege’s Orchestra
4:45—Helen Hoss, songstress
6:00-9:00—Same as WGBS.
6:00—William Quinn’s Dublin Boys
6:30—Van Dycke’s Interludes
6:45—Sports Talk
7:00—Luetta Steinemann “China.”
7:15—Television Trio
7:45—Lavinia Darve, soprano
8:00—Jordan, One-Man Show
8:15—John S. Greenawalt, Nature’s Music
8:30—Jack Norman’s Sports Talk.
8:45—Martine Burnley, violinist
W9XAP, Chicago—2800kc (WMAQ—670kc)
12:30-12:45—News
6:30 to 6:45—Sports News
W9XAO, Chicago—2000kc (WIBO—560kc)
1:30-1:45—Morri Hartman
6:00-6:15—Popular songs
7:30 to 8:00—programming
W2XCR, W2XBS, W1XAV as above
WASHINGTON, July 24.—Two construction permits were granted today to the National Broadcasting Company for the erection of a television and sound station on the eighty-fourth floor of the Empire State Building in New York City. The station will use very high frequencies. One of the transmitters will operate on 5,000 watts power and the other on 2,500 watts.
The 5,000-watt transmitter will be for television and for experimental work on ultra-high frequencies in order to determine their usefulness for television.
The application stated that it would take ninety days to complete the contruction, that the apparatus would cost $75000, with $10,000 extra for the studios. This transmitter will use the frequencies of 43,000 to 46,000 kilocycles, 48500 to 50,300 kilocycles and 60.000 to 80,000 kilocycles.
The 2,500-watt transmitter “will be used for the experimental transmission of ‘sound track’ speech and music in connection, with television research and the development of transmission in and around New York City.” It will use frequencies of 41,000 to 51,400 kilocycles, 60,000 to 400,000 kilocycles, and above 401,000 kilocycles.
The television studios and laboratories will occupy the eastern half of the eighty-fourth floor of the building, about 1,000 feet above the street. It is believed that operation of apparatus at this elevation will be helpful in surmounting difficulties which have beset television transmission.
A television antenna will be placed at the top of the Empire State Building mooring mast, 1,250 feet above the street level. (New York Times)
A NEW television camera that permits the use of a stage has become an accomplished fact in television. Developed over a period of years at the Jenkins Television Corporation laboratories at Jersey City and successfully adopted and completed at Station W2XCD at Passaic by the De Forest Radio Company, the new camera is now ready to be used to enlarge the size of the pick—up space in the studio and makes the televising of outdoor scenes soon possible.
In experimental work at W2XCD the camera has supplanted the flying spot method entirely and will be used for further program work at that station front now on. Under the older flying spot method in use at all of the stations now on the air the object to be televised was limited in size to a close-up bust image or part of the person. A dancer could be seen from the waist down, or a singer or speaker front the waist up, but the full—length image was out of the question. With the camera pick-up the image can take in a space four feet deep by seven feet wide by seven feet high with great detail, and outdoors the pick-up of a moving train, automobiles, and airplanes in flight has already been accomplished.
This pick-up device is the result of several years of extensive laboratory development. The idea on which this operates is different from that used in any television studio today. The studio flying spot pick-ups throw a high intensity light over the subject being televised, which is picked up by sensitive photo-electric cells, then amplified and used to modulate a radio transmitter. It can be readily understood that this method cannot be used outdoors, duo to the fact that the flying spot of light would not affect the photo-electric cells nearly as much as the powerful rays of the sun. Hence some other method must be used to pick up outside events and transmit them so they can be received in the home on standard television receivers.
The method used in the new direct pick-up camera is to focus the image, by means of a high-grade camera lens, on a revolving Nipkow disk. Behind the disk is a sensitive photo-electric cell and contained in the camera is a six—stage amplifier which feeds the amplified photo—electric currents into a low impedance line to the main amplifier. The apparatus just described is mounted on n yoke which can be raised or lowered, tilted up or down or revolved in any direction to follow the action. In front of the pick-up disk a neon lamp is mounted which can be seen by the operator through the shadow box, thereby monitoring the program being picked up. Just above the shadow box is a knob which adjusts the focus of the lens so that objects several (cot away or several miles away can be picked up.
All this apparatus is mounted on a small electric truck which can be steered or made to go backward by means of a small electric motor under the truck. This truck houses all the batteries necessary to operate the direct pick-up camera and makes it a complete self-contained unit. (Christian Science Monitor)
BOSTON, July 18 – A new technic in television pickup is being inaugurated in the studios of W1XAV as a result of experiments with two different types of photoelectric cells, a technic which gives much better shading of televised pictures than previously achieved.The new technic calls for the simultaneous use of two different types of photoelectric cells, which are controlled in a mixing panel which becomes the television director's palette for his portraiture. Potassium cells have been used for pickup work in television for several years. More recently the caesium cell has been introduced into the television studio.
Engineers Study Cells.
These two cells were studied by engineers of W1XAV and their results noticed. While the caesium cell was very sensitive, pictures reproduced from its pickup seemed to lack of some of the qualities of the earlier potassium cell pictures.
A study of these two different types of cells then showed what the difficulty was. Colors are located in a scale or spectrum even as are broadcasting stations. At one end of the color scale we have ultra-violet and at the other infra-red. The eye cannot pick up the extreme ends of the scale, infra-red or ultra-violet, but it can red and blue, the first colors visible at either end, and therefore of interest to television workers.
Caesium is particularly sensitive to red, but is also quite sensitive to blue. Potassium is sensitive only to the blue end of the scale and does not respond at all to red. The result of this characteristic of the potassium cell has been the dark splotches and tendency to fasten a beard on the subjects noticed in early television work.
Two Typed Employed.
Caesium, used alone, however, seems to give rather a flat picture. Thus it became apparent that if the qualities of the potassium cell could be added to those of the caesium cell a finer type of picture would result. The potassium would make up for the weakness of caesium to red colors and the caesium fill in the lack of response to blue, characteristic of the potassium cell.
Due to the much greater sensitivity of the caesium cell this mixing had to be such that the potassium would have an equal value with the caesium.
This has been accomplished in the studio of W1XAV by using a group of several potassium cells for each caesium cell used. The impulses of these cells are then fed into a mixing panel and thence into the amplifier. Further work is planned in this direction. (New York Sun)
Sunday, July 26, 1931
W2XAB (CBS)—New York—2750k
2:00-6:00 p.m.—Experimental images (silent).
(Sound on W2XE)
8:00—Sorey Orchestra.
8:15—Florence Seibert, pianist
8:45—Don Ball, songs
9:30—George Benchler, baritone
9:45 to 10—Biljo Orchestra
W2XCR—New York—2035k
(Sound on WGBS)
6:00-9:00 p. m.—Same as WGBS.
6:00—Musical Etchings
6:15—Sissie Weston, songs
6:30—Television Trio
7:00—Male Trio
7:15—Annette Rovak, singer
7:30—Dorothy Rosenthal, violin
7:45—Victor Turner, Xylophone
8:00—Vincent de Sola, piano
8:15—Daisy and Bob
8:30—Nita O’Neil, songs
8:45—Snapshots—dramatic sketch
More and more television is being concentrated in the eastern section of the country.
The latest move brings Philo Farnsworth from his San Francisco laboratories to those of Philco at Philadelphia where, according to agreement, he is to continue his development of electrical scanning.
This youthful engineer has spent the last eight years of his life of 24 summers in investigating many of the puzzling things of television and in that time has evolved theories considerably in advance of many other engineers.
SPECIAL TUBES USED
Included is his method of narrow band broadcasting by which he says it will ultimately be possible to transmit voice and picture side by side on a channel requiring less space in the ether than the 10 kilocycle needed for a broadcast station.
Farnsworth, however, is particularly noted for his system of electrical scanning by which he employs special cathode ray tubes in both the receiver and transmitter to do the work for which other systems require motors scanning disks and lamps In addition to reproducing pictures on the flat end of a cathode ray tubes. Farnsworth recently has been able to throw the beam of light from the tube to a screen ranging from 14 by 15 Inches to approximately four feet square in his San Francisco laboratories.
SOUND'S COMPANION
It is pointed out that Farnsworth's connection with Philco does not mean the immediate production of television receivers by that company.
But it no doubt does reflect the dose attention that the radio industry is paying to this companion of sound.
Latest reports from San Francisco said Farnsworth had "an excellent picture now with sufficient intensity for considerable enlargement by projection and about as sharp as the average movie. He has overcome some recent difficulties due to ghost images and fading. (C.E. Butterfield, AP column)
Eight steam shovels, 100 trucks and a company of nearly 300 men will begin work tomorrow [27] on the excavation work for Radio City, the largest building project in the history of the world, the site for which is bounded by Fifth and Sixth Avenues and Forty-eighth and Fifty-first Streets....
A studio building extending from the main structure will be occupied by the National Broadcasting Company and associated organizations and will be used for radio broadcasting and for television and photophone broadcasting when they are practicable. (New York Times)
Monday, July 27, 1931
W2XAB (CBS)—New York—2750k 2:00-6:00 p. m.—Experimental sight programs.
8:00—Interview with Mary Jo Matthews by Nelson Hesse.
8:30—Melody Musketeers.
8:45—Natalie Towers, dramatic reading.
9:00—Television melodies. Doris Sharpe, songs; pianist.
9:30—Guy Lombardo, violin.
9:45—Lillian Buckman, songs.
10:00—Television make-up tests. Talk, by Harry Burkhardt.
10:30—Guy Lamsel, songs, specialities.
10:45—Ben Alley, tenor.
W2XCR—New York—2035k—147.5 M.
(Sound on WGBS—1180kc)
4:00-5:00—Same as WGBS.
4:00—Elsie Duffield, singer
4:15—Impersonations
4:30—Hernan Rodriguez, Guitar
4:45—Weight Reduction—Dr. Shirley Wynne
6:00-9:00—Same as WGBS.
6:00—Make-Up Demonstration
6:30—O’Byrne Orchestra
6:45—Sports Talk
7:00—Romantic Troubadour
7:15—Theatre Topics—Harriet Menken
7:30—Flanagan (Innasail) Trio
8:00—Pages of Music
8:30—Kurley’s Orchestra
*W9XAP, Chicago—2800kc (WMAQ—670kc)
4:45—Silent Variety
5:30—Sound and Sight
7:30—Silent Variety
*W9XAO, Chicago—2000kc (WIBO—560kc)
6:30—Cartooning (30m.)
7:30—Pantomime Hour
* Central Time
W2XCD, W3XK, W2NR, W2XBS, W1XAV as above
Tuesday, July 28, 1931
W2XAB (CBS)—New York—2750k
5:00-6:00 p. m.—Experimental programs.
(Sound on W2XE)
8:00—Natalie Towers, dances.
8:15—Morton Downey, songs.
8:30—Prince Serge Obolensky, "Origins of Russian Songs."
8:45—Contrasts.
9:00—“Drawing Lessons.”
9:15—Reginald Stewart, pianist
9:30—Dorothea James, comedy.
9:45—Television drama.
10:00—Talk by Amelia Earhart.
10:15—“Big Shot and Little Jim.” Bergman and Brewster, comedians.
10:30—“Something for Everyone. Islay Benson, impersonations.
W2XCR—New York—2035k—147.5 M.
(Sound on WGBS—1180kc)
4:00-5:00—Same as WGBS.
4:00—Kathryn Lewis, Songs
4:15—Adventures of Guiseppe and Luigi—Skit
4:30—Mary Bongert, Soprano
4:45—Mme. Marie von Unschuld, piano
6:00-9:00—Same as WGBS.
6:00—Make-Up Demonstration
6:15—String Quartet>br> 6:45—Sports Talk
7:00—Meb and Mac
7:15—Seibert-Wilson Amusereel or Dance Music
7:30—Night in Italy
8:00—Samuel’s Proteges or Studio Program
8:30—Dagmar Perkins
8:45—Marguerite Austin, violin, songs
W9XAP, Chicago—2800kc (WMAQ—670kc)
12:33-12:45—News
6:30 to 6:45—Sports News
W9XAO, Chicago—2000kc (WIBO—560kc)
1:30-1:45—Helen Mors
7:30 to 8:00—cartoons
W2XBS, W2XCD, W2NR, W3XK, W1XAV as above
Wednesday, July 29, 1931
W2XAB (CBS)—New York—2750k2:00-6:00 p. m.—Experimental programs.
(Sound on W2XE)
8:00 p. m.—Miller and Lyles, comedians
8:15—Tony’s Scrapbook
8:30—Harriet Lee, contralto
8:45—Bob Taplinger interviews Henry Burbig
9:00—Tele musicale: Helene Nugent, Natalie Towers, Girls Trio; Nat Brusiloff, violinist; Dave Elman, comedian.
9:30—Mina Hager, soprano
9:45—Artells Dickson, songs
10:00—Mary Charles (Adams), songs
10:15—Helen Nugent, contralto
10:30—Scholtz and Brae, The Jolly Jugglers
10:45—Taylor Buckley, baritone
W2XCR—New York—2035k—147.5 M.
(Sound on WGBS—1180kc)
3:00 p. m.—Film programs.
4:00-5:00—Same as WGBS.
4:00—Idle Roomers—Comedy skit
4:15—Columnist’s Chat—Amy Bonner
4:30—Billie Davis—“Personality Girl”
4:45—At the Movies
6:00-9:00—Same as WGBS.
6:00—Sakele’s Make-Up Demonstration
6:15—Aviation—Commander J. W. Iseman
6:30—Helen Alexander, songs
6:45—Sports Talk
7:00—Doug Brinkley—Interview
7:15—De Moralles, Spanish group
7:30—Mme. Herma Menth, Pianiste
8:00—Debate
8:30—John Murphy, Tenor
8:45—Nathalie Boshko, Violin
*W9XAP, Chicago—2800kc (WMAQ—670kc)
4:45—Silent Variety
5:25—Sound and Sight
6:30—Silent Variety
*W9XAO, Chicago—2000kc (WIBO—560kc)
5:00—Audiovision (15m.)
6:30—Cartooning (30m.)
* Central Time
W2XCD, W2XBS, W3XK, W2NR, W1XAV as above
SCHENECTADY (AP) — The General Electric failed yesterday to send the faces and voices of two German engineers to their homeland.
A cable message said the two men's speeches could not he understood and that the television was very bad. The General Electric will keep on trying.
Thursday, July 30, 1931
W2XAB (CBS)—New York—2750k
5:00-6:00 p. m.—Experimental programs.
(Sound on W2XE)
8:00 p. m.—Brad and Al, songs.
8:15—Roger Kinne, baritone
8:30—Emery Deutsch, Wandering Gypsy
8:45—Piano views and moods
9:00—“A Night at Sea,” comedy skit; male quartet; Don Ball, uke; Grace K. White, soprano; Daddy and Rollo; Natalie Towers; musical saw solos.
10:00—Browne’s Nit-Wits.
10:30—Artells Dickson, baritone
10:45—Visionary Expression Tests
W2XCR—New York—2035k—147.5 M.
(Sound on WGBS—1180kc)
3:00 p. m.—Film programs.
4:00-5:00—Same as WGBS.
4:00—Marie Guion, Contralto
4:15—Deacon Jazz
4:30—Etchings—William Cox
4:45—Norma Altwater, songs
6:00-9:00—Same as WGBS.
6:00—Make-Up demonstration
6:15—Calendar Sketches
6:30—Toyland—Children’s Songs
6:45—Sports Talk
7:00—Arthur Newborn, songs
7:15—Justice Brandeis Society
7:30—Oriental Romances
8:00—Edith Klein, mezzo.
8:15—Victor Turner, xylophonist
8:30—Relativity—Rev. Edwin Curtis
8:45—Suzanne Kenyon, songs
W9XAP, Chicago—2800kc (WMAQ—670kc)
6:30 to 6:45—Sports News, Hal Totten
W9XAO, Chicago—2000kc (WIBO—560kc)
6:00-6:30—Readings
7:30 to 8:00—cartoons
W2XCD, W2XBS, W3XK, W2NR, W1XAV as above
Friday, July 31, 1931
W2XAB (CBS)—New York—2750k
2:00-6:00 p. m.—Experimental programs.
(Sound on W2XE)
8:00 p. m.—Julia Mahoney, Charles Carlisle, duets.
8:15—Roy Atwell, “Tangled Talk.”
8:45—Edna Thomas, “Lady From Louisiana”
9:00—“Seeing What You Hear.” Natalie Towers; Frank Ross, tenor; Barbara Maurel, contralto.
9:30—“What and Why of Television,” Charles E. Butterfield
9:45—“Sweden,” Sven Svenson.
10:30—Connie Boswell.
10:45—Television demonstration.
W2XCR—New York—2035k—147.5 M.
(Sound on WGBS—1180kc)
3:00 p. m.—Film programs.
4:00-5:00—Same as WGBS.
4:00— Helene Chappelle, Songs
4:15—French Lessons—Thatcher Clark
4:30—Your Voice
4:45—Stamp Collection—P. H. Thorpe
6:00-9:00—Same as WGBS.
6:00—Make-Up Demonstration
6:15—Ship Ahoy Trio
6:45—Sports Talk
7:00—Romantic Troubadour
7:15—Dance Music
7:30—Chamberlain Brown’s Stars of Broadway
8:00—Capt. Bate Preston—“German-China Squadron”
8:15—Elena Marisa, soprano
8:30—“European Waves” G. Aldo Randegger, Piano
*W9XAP, Chicago—2800kc (WMAQ—670kc)
5:00—Silent Variety
5:25—Sound and Sight
6:30—Silent Variety
*W9XAO, Chicago—2000kc (WIBO—560kc)
5:00—Audiovision (15m.)
6:30—Cartooning (30m.)
* Central Time
W2XCD, W2XBS, W3XK, W2NR, W1XAV as above
Plan for the installation of a $200,000 experimental television system by Station WCSH of Portland [Maine] were revealed here when William L. Foss, chief engineer of the station, filed application with the Federal Radio Commission through Charles C. Kolster, Federal radio supervisor of Boston.
The application, which will be considercd by the commission at its fall meeting, asks permission to install a television system using R. C. A.-Victor equipment and operating on ultra short waves with powers ranging from 500 to 5,000 watts. In the papers filed here, Mr. Foss declares his purpose is ''to further the art of television and establish a service in northern New England that does not now exist."
Indiscreetly revealed in the application are the first intimations of the character of the new television development, the secrecy of which the Radio Corporation of America has been diligently guarding at its R. C. A.-Victor Laboratory in Camden, N. J. The application guardedly describes the equipment proposed as simply "co-ordinated R. C. A.” But further it states that the television images will consist of 60, 120, and 240 lines, with 18, 22, and 30 exposures per second.
This latter disclosure indicated that the Radio Corporation of America has achieved considerable secret progress on its television experiments, for the present standard in visual broadcasting is 60 lines with 20 exposures per second. If, as the application indicates, cathode ray images are as finely delineated as 120 or 240 lines, and exposed up to 30 times per second, a tremendously far-reaching advance in the experimental work has been accomplished. Such images will represent a great advance over newspaper halftones.
The $200,000 appropriation which the Rines estate has indicated it will spend on its experimental system will be divided into three sections, $60,000 on the experimental transmitter, $20,000 on the Portland studio, and $120,000 on development work.
Beyond the bare details of project listed In the application blank Mr. Foss was unwilling to comment. He is known to have visited the R. C. A. experimental laboratory, but was sworn to secrecy regarding the nature of the work. The application designates the frequency bands of 43,000 to 46,000; 48,500 to 50,300 and 60,000 to 80,000 kilocycles, the three groups of ultra short wave lengths that have been reserved by the Federal Radio Commission for television. The proposed station would use the call letters W1XAG, the application indicated. (Portland Evening Express)
Here is the rundown of approved television stations in the U.S. as of mid-July 1931. Several, including the Westinghouse and G.E. stations, seem to have been for test purposes only, and were not on the air regularly.
