January 1940

At the start of 1940, NBC had the TV audience in the Eastern U.S.—what little of it there was—all to itself.

W2XBS on Channel 1 was the only station in the broadcasting regular programming. CBS’s W2XAX and Philco’s W3XE in Philadelphia may have worked out a time-sharing agreement for their frequency, but both were still testing things.

Figures were revealed about how much NBC was spending on its television station, how many sets there were in the New York area, and what people liked to watch. The station was on Wednesday through Sunday, with a few variety shows, remotes for boxing and wrestling, and an awful lot of old films.

The only other station on the air was W6XAO, broadcasting one hour a night, six nights a week, with two and a quarter hours Wednesday and Friday nights and an added midday hour on Wednesdays, according to a story by Associated Press writer John Lear on Jan. 21st.

Du Mont wasn't ready to broadcast, but signed a deal with Paramount which, after the war, proved to be a disaster, as the F.C.C. treated them as a joint entity and restricted the number of station licenses they could have.

Here are the listings for W2XBS from various newspapers in the viewing area and a few articles. Billboard also included a couple of reviews.

Monday, Jan. 1, 1940
PASADENA (AP)—The annual tournament of roses parade was witnessed by more than a million persons Monday, but other hundreds saw it for the first time by television. Portable equipment, including a camera with a telephoto lens, flashed synchronized sight-sound images nine miles to television station W6XAO in Los Angeles, from where it was relayed on a television channel to several hundred receivers in the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
Thomas S. Lee, station owner, said the numbers of “lookers” telephoned the reception was excellent, despite cloudy weather and some rain during the parade.

Wednesday, Jan. 3, 1940
(Video, 45.25 mc., Audio, 49.75 mc.)
2:30 p.m.—March of Time, “Soldiers With Wings,” film
2:50 p.m.—“Burn ‘Em Up Barnes,” film serial
3:10 p.m.—“Chile,” film travelogue
3:20 p.m.—“The Brown Bomber,” film
8:30 p.m.—Tex O’Rourke’s Round Up; James J. Walker, Al Trahan, Harry Hershfield, Fields and Hall, Felix Adler, Lejaren Hillier, John Norman.

Television Review
Reviewed Wednesday, 8:30-9:30 p.m. Style—Variety. Reviewed on RCA receiver. Station—W2XBS.
Wednesday’s NBC tele program was dedicated to the campaign against infantile paralysis. In the interests of President Roosevelt’s birthday celebrations program Included appearances by ex-mayor of New York James J. Walker, Harry Hershfield, Felix Adler, Al Trahan, Lejaren Hiller, Fields and Hall and emsee Tex O’Rourke.
O’Rourke has appeared over tele before. His manner is suave and polished. Walker, too, was impressive, photographing well and giving an eloquent discourse on the matter in hand. Felix Adler, noted circus clown, appeared in make-up, together with Johnny Norman, a victim of paralysis. Adler’s sequence was brief and somewhat touching. He and the kid are the subjects of a photograph by Hiller to be used for the campaign.
Hershfield took over O’Rourke’s emsee spot for a while, proving as adept on tele as he is at banquets. He spoke interestingly of cartoonists, drew a picture of Abe Kabibble and brought on Walker. The trio, O’Rourke, Walker and Hershfield, all proved terrific tele material.
Al Trahan, introed as the reincarnation of vaudeville, did an amusing turn at the piano, showing to better advantage than Fields and Hall, whose novelty piano and singing turn proved of small interest. Fields and Hall photographed all right, but needed sharper material.
Technically, program indicated that the NBC producers are becoming more expert in presenting talent to the best advantage. Most of those appearing on this show, for instance, were impressive. Lighting and photography, too, seem to be consistently better than in television’s earlier stages, and acts apparently no longer have to worry about looking like monstrosities owing to brutal delineation of facial contortions. Ackerman. (Billboard, Jan. 13)

Thursday, Jan. 4, 1940
2:30 p.m.—“With Love and Kisses, film with Pinky Tomlin
8:30 p.m.—Wrestling Bouts from Ridgewood Grove Sporting Club

Friday, Jan. 5, 1940
2:30 p.m.—Baby Awards with Allen Prescott.
8:30 p.m.—“Ethan Frome,” with Robert Allen, Anne Revere.
A disappointed father of triplets attempted to wring the neck of a stuffed stork during a television program staged by Allen Prescott over W2XBS yesterday afternoon (2:30). Prescott awarded cash prizes to several men who became fathers on New Year’s Day. But the wife of Daniel S. Wordsman gave birth to triplets early on Jan. 2, thus excluding him from the $750 cash award, which would have been his had the stork been on the job a few hours earlier. So, when Daniel saw the stuffed bird before the television camera, he expressed his displeasure in a forcible manner. (Ben Gross, Daily News, Jan. 6).

Saturday, Jan. 6, 1940
2:30 p.m.—“Children’s Corner,” film
2:45 p.m.—“The City,” film
3:25 p.m.—“Valse Brilliante,” film
9:00 p.m.—Boxing Bouts at Ridgewood Grove Sporting Club

Sunday, Jan. 7, 1940
2:30-3:30—“Wings Over the Nation” from La Guardia Field
8:30-9:30—Sunday Varieties: Wing’s Spelling Bee, newsreel theatre usherttes vs. managers; Frank Crumit and Julia Sanderson.

Consummation of the purchase of 23 acres of a mountain top at Hollywood’s’ northern edge, by the Don Lee Broadcasting System from Hollywood Hills, Inc., as site for a television station was announced during the week by Lewis Allen Weiss, vice-president and general manager of the broadcasting organization representing Thomas S. Lee. The land was acquired for approximate1y $1000 an acre, Weiss said. Ninety-nine year leases a1so were obtained for rights of way over adjoining land for a paved road to be built to the television station area by the new owner of the site. The purchased site is situated above the high rise where the Hollywoodland sign stands and is stated to be next to the highest point in the Hollywood hills region. An ordinance recently adopted by the Los Angeles City Council permits construction of the planned television station stated to be the only unit of its kind thus far proposed for location west of Kansas City, it was pointed out by Weiss. The site gives wide view of Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. (Los Angeles Times)

Tuesday, Jan. 8, 1940
CHICAGO—The first application for a theatre chain to run a television station has been filed with the FCC by Balaban and Katz. The firm is seeking the permit to operate a station in this city. (Hollywood Reporter).

Monday, Jan. 9, 1940
WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 (AP)—The Communications Commission authorized General Electric Company today to establish four experimental television broadcast stations. Two would be in Schenectady, N. Y., one in Albany, N. Y., and one in Bridgeport, Conn.

Wednesday, Jan. 10, 1940
2:30-3:30—Wings Over the Nation.
8:30-9:30—“A Night in Old Vienna,” operetta based on the life of Franz Schubert, with Beatrice Lind, soprano, and Mario Berini, tenor; Louise Irwin, exercises for beauty; Van Grona dancers.

Television Review
Reviewed Wednesday, 8:30-9:30 p.m. Style—Variety. Station—W2XBS. Reviewed on RCA Television Receiver.
NBC tele show Wednesday included brief operetta -type presentation titled In Old Vienna, a session of fencing, and a fashion show during which Louise Irwin, of Best’s Department Store, illustrated calisthenics whereby ladies might keep themselves trimmed down to svelte proportions.
As entertainment, program was somewhat dull, but technically it was interesting. In Old Vienna, for instance, had sustained singing periods by Beatrice Lind and Mario Berini, with camera making extensive use of close up shots. From the visual angle, the singers’ appearances were uniformly good; but the voices were okeh the presentation as a whole failed to jell owing to slowness of pace and action. This failing is very often present in old-fashioned operettas, and the genre has lost much of its vogue on the legitimate theater stage. Sets, however, were very well done, and gave the impression of being more than just a window dressing. In addition to the singers, presentation had the Von Gronas, mixed dancing team, who did a pavanne and other turns in Interesting fashion.
Fencing business, done by George Santelli, Nicholas Murray and Ralph Marson, all champions, was an active piece of business and entertaining. Fashion show was so-so, but Miss Erwin’s calisthenics stint provided some unexpected humor. Plugs were given manufacturers of costumes and also Best’s. Ackerman. (Billboard, Jan. 20)

SCHENECTADY, Jan. 10 (AP)—The General Electric Co. announced today it would open within the next three months a television broadcast transmitter a top Indian Ladder, in the near-by Helder Hills.
Chester H. Lang, manager of broadcasting, said the building to house the transmitter has been finished and awaits only the installation of the high-powered equipment. It is located atop a 1,500-foot hill sixteen miles from Albany and will cover Schenectady, Troy, Albany, Saratoga Springs and the surrounding country.
Lang said the Federal Communications Commission already had licensed the company to construct an experimental station and that work was well under way.
The television studio, Lang added, will be built in the quarters occupied by radio station WGY before that station moved to its new home.
The company announced it would put two sizes of home television receivers on the market this spring.

New York.—Wall street traders see Paramount’s entrance into television through the Dumont Television Corp., in which Para has dumped $50,000, and stands ready to kick in with $200,000 more on a ten-year note. Since Para mount showed its hand In the deal, Class A stock has bounced from $12 to $27 a share in over the counter trading. The Street regards as the tipoff the corporation’s report that it is contemplating piping local news events and film features direct from local transmitters to theatres. Paramount’s hand in the deal will be the production of film, using studio talent, and televising it into theatres with plenty of ballyhoo angles stressed for the exhibitor.
Dumont’s transmitter is located at Passaic, N. J., and goes on the air in ten days, sharing time with NBC’s Empire State transmitter. Experimentation will be carried on, with Paramount execs being advised of all angles in order to mesh studio activity when the time is ready to spring out into the open on the deal.
Paramount’s original investment was $50,000 for which it received a $36,000 ten-year note bearing three percent interest and $14,000, or all outstanding shares of B stock. In addition, Paramount has options to buy the remaining 42,000 shares of B stock at par value, which is $1 a share. In return for the option, Paramount has agreed to lend Dumont all, or any part, of $200,000 for ten years.
Dumont’s capitalization consists of 2000 shares of $25 par value preferred 6 percent stock, of which 1200 shares are outstanding. 56,000 shares of Class A stock of $1 par value, all outstanding, and 56,000 Class B $1 par value of which 14,000 shares are outstanding. The funded debt consists of $16,000 in 6 percent debentures due 1945, a $17,000 secured 6 percent note payable in 1942, and the $36,000 Paramount note.
Class A and B stock shares alike in the company dividends and each class elects three directors. Wall Street reports that the company is breaking even this year, which makes it probably the only television company able to show such results. (Hollywood Reporter, Jan. 10)

Thursday, Jan. 11, 1940
9:00-11:00—Wrestling at Ridgewood Grove Sporting Club, Sam Taub, announcer

Friday, Jan. 12, 1940
2:30—“Puppet Love,” film.
2:50—“Burn ‘Em Up Barnes,” film serial, episode five.
3:10—“Thistledown,” film.
3:20-3:30—“Canal Gypsies,” film.
8:30-9:30—“Meet the Wife,” play by Lynn Starling.

Saturday, Jan. 13, 1940
2:30-3:40—“Slalom,” film feature.
9:00-11:00—Boxing at Ridgewood Grove Sporting Club, Sam Taub, announcer.

Sunday, Jan. 14, 1940
2:30-3:45—“Spy of Napoleon,” film with Richard Barthelmess and Dorothy Haas.
8:30-9:30—Varieties, featuring Television Explorers, with John Williamson and his undersea motion pictures, and television debuts, with Ray Forrest, master of ceremonies.

NEW YORK, Jan. 15, (UP)—The first television broadcast from a night club took place today [14] but more people saw the performers in the flesh than viewed them on the screen.
The broadcast, demonstrating the mobility of the National Broadcasting Company’s television equipment, marked the first time in the United States that an entertainment bill was transmitted from a building other than the one occupied by experimenting studios, according to NBC officials.
They are investigating the feasibility of television broadcasts of entertainment in the city’s night spots when the company begins its regular broadcasting service in the spring.
An iconoscope camera was rolled into the Cafe Francais, adjoining the Rockefeller Skating pond, and a half hour variety program was broadcast. Then the camera was moved outside to pick up a figure skater swirling around the pond.
There are “several hundred” television receiving sets in the Metropolitan area, officials said, but even if they were all turned on. more people saw the pickup being made than received the actual broadcast. Several thousand Sunday strollers surrounded the ice rink and nearly 100 crowded into the small cafe.
The broadcast got under way shortly after 3 o’clock when Phyllis Welsh, blonde actress known as the “television hostess” stepped in front of a microphone, and as the camera whirled, announced the first act. A tap dancing team beat out time on chairs and on the floor with a pair of drum sticks, and they finished the act with the man beating a cymbal on his girl partner’s head.
Then Frank Gaby, a ventriloquist, exchanged banter with his wooden-headed dummy. Fats Waller sang and played the piano, and the show closed with Sheila Barrett reciting the misfortunes of the “Southern Girl.”
The camera and the lights, two clusters of “birdseye” focusing lamps and a Klieg, were rolled outside to pick up Vivi-Anne Hultsen, youthful Swedish figure skating champion.
The program was produced by Warren Wade, who sat out of range of the camera, and listened to the program by telephone as it was received in the RCA building.

Monday, Jan. 15, 1940
IMPETUS recently given television through announcement Jan. 3 by RCA of plans to market transmitters to broadcasters, received official cognizance of the FCC with the appointment of a committee to study the whole subject and prepare recommendations. Commissioner T. A. M. Craven, former chief engineer, was named chairman. Other members are Thad Brown and Norman S. Case.
The Commissioner announced that the application of the Milwaukee Journal Co., operating WTMJ, to inaugurate an experimental television service to test public reaction, had been referred to the committee. Along with it the Commission referred the proposed standards for television transmission and reception submitted by the Radio Manufacturers Assn. several months ago, after long deliberation by its engineering committee.
The Milwaukee Journal has contracted for the purchase of an RCA 1,000 watt television transmitter—the first to enter the field under the new RCA policy. The application looks toward revision of FCC regulations to permit setting up an experimental program service for home reception as a test of “looker interest” in visual programs. Under existing rules the Commission requires research and technical experimentation by all those holding experimental television licenses [BROADCASTING, Oct. 15, Nov. 1, 1938].
Regarding the proposed television standards of RMA, the FCC stated that a number of manufacturers and experimenters have expressed opposition to their promulgation. (Broadcasting, Jan. 15)

Wednesday, Jan. 17, 1940
2:30-3:30—Views and interviews at La Guardia Field.
8:30-9:20—Dodson’s Hollywood Monkey Stars; Better Vision Show; Televiews Picture Contest.

Thursday, Jan. 18, 1940
9:00-11:00—Wrestling at Ridgewood Grove Sporting Club, Sam Taub, announcer
The crisis in the city’s water supply was demonstrated forcibly in a combined radio and television broadcast last evening (WJZ-W2XBS-6:15) (Ben Gross, Daily News)

RKO has tossed its hat into the television ring, and will be first with a bid for recognition as producer of film entertainment expressly slanted for television with indications yesterday pointing to a tieup with RCA-NBC telecasting activity.
Opening move of RKO involves “Gunga Din,” which will have its world premiere next Tuesday. Working under advisement of NBC television researchers and engineers, the studio is assembling a 1000-foot version of “Gunga Din” solely for telecasting purposes at NBC’s Radio City Film is expected to get its initial television on release in March, when NBC is slated to resume a regular television broadcasting schedule. It will serve a double purpose as entertainment and research material.
The RKO television version of “Gunga Din” will be made up of sound and film assembled and given laboratory treatment according to formulae prescribed by research experts in the use of film on the air. For the most part it will tell its story in closeups, arid two and three-shots.
Pandro S. Berman is supervising preparation of the television product, and has assigned Henry Berman to its editing. The assembly will include inspection to secure sharp, contrasting pictures. which will then be given special treatment to permit television transmission with maximum clarity and effect Due to the condensation of the play to a 10-minutes it will include bridging titles in addition to accompanying dialog.
Though film has frequently been used in television, this is the first effort made in the U S to produce a program under controlled processes specifically devised to yield maximum effect and results.
RKO’s entrance into this field is deemed highly significant in view of predictions made repeatedly that television will be a heavy user of Hollywood product when the sight-sound broadcasting medium reaches expected exploitation. (Hollywood Reporter, Jan. 18)

Friday, Jan. 19, 1940
2:30-2:52—“Ski Chase,” film.
2:52-3:10—“Burn ‘Em Up Barnes,” film serial.
3:10-3:20—“China,” film.
3:20-3:30—“Community Life,” film.
8:30-9:30—“The Gorilla,” play

Television Review Reviewed Friday, 8:30-9 p.m. Style—Drama. Station—W2XBS. Reviewed on RCA Television Receiver.
National Broadcasting Co. drew an old hoke meller, The Gorilla, out of the closet for this program. The Gorilla was performed by a cast including some very good legit names, but reception was marred by a flickering screen and poor sound. Past reception of NBC programs has been fairly satisfactory as to lack of flicker, but Friday presentation was definitely below palr on this angle. Sound, which has been uniformly good thus far, was also deficient, showing a tendency at times to die down to practically a whisper.
Excepting these failings, show was interesting in its use of sets and phonus effects, latter including the disappearance of people in a cloud of smoke. Camera, too, managed to get as many as six of the cast on the image with good results, including facial clarity.
Top actors were Percy Kilbride, as Gerrity; Robert Shayne, as Marsden; John Cherry, as Simmons; Ralph Kellard, as Stevens Cast included A. C. Van Home, Victoria Cummings, Tony Tully, Ben Laughlin and Olvesta Polk. Ackerman. (Billboard, Jan. 27)

Saturday, Jan. 20, 1940
2:30-3:47—“Reaching for the Moon,” film featuring Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., Bebe Daniels and Edward Everett Horton.
9:00-11:00— Boxing at Ridgewood Grove Sporting Club, Sam Taub, announcer.

Sunday, Jan. 21, 1940
2:30-3:42—“School for Husbands,” film feature with Rex Harrison, Diana Churchill, June Clyde and Romney.
8:30-9:00—“Babes in Arms,” a musical comedy.

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 21,—Deal to aid television on the Coast was set this week by Lewis Alien Weiss, head of the Don Lee network. Only hitch in current plans is whether manufacturing plant contacted can turn out receivers to retail for $175. Don Lee net has reportedly made a deal with the American Television Corp. Present plans call for the manufacturing plant to have its engineers here in 30 days or less to study conditions. If tests conducted at that time are satisfactory to Weiss and Harry Lubcke, televish engineer for the web, new service will be started and sets put on sale. If deal goes thru as anticipated, American Television is to turn out 1,000 sets a month. There are now approximately 100 televish sets in this locality receiving regular Don Lee hear and see programs. Don Lee web will have to change its facilities for handling 441-line pictures. Station is flow using 330-line images. Lubcke and his staff have been working converting the present equipment so that it will synchronize with the Videor sets. It is reported that a Coast theater chain is interested in Don Lee television for its houses. Name of the chain was not disclosed. (Billboard, Jan. 28)

Tuesday, Jan. 23, 1940
Don Lee Broadcasting will expand its television activity beginning next Wednesday with a special series of educational programs which it will release in four Southern California schools through the cooperation of the L. A. Board of Education Television receivers will be installed at USC, Pomona College and the Polytechnic high schools at Los Angeles and Long Beach.
Thomas S. Lee, president, has authorized a series of both live and film programs to be telecast over W6XAO in the new program group. Hollywood Television Society is also associated with the educational series. (Hollywood Reporter, Jan. 23)

Wednesday, Jan. 24, 1940
2:30-3:30—“Wings of a Nation,” an aviation program from La Guardia Field.
8:30-9:30—Midweek Varieties, with Commissioner William Fellowes Morgan, Jr., The Arctic Girls in a “frozen alive” demonstration, Minstrel Show and a preview of the Beaux Arts Ball.

Thursday, Jan. 25, 1940
9:00-11:00—Wrestling at Ridgewood Grove Sporting Club, Sam Taub, announcer

Friday, Jan. 26, 1940
2:30—The March of Time, “Battle Fleets of England,” film.
3:10-3:30—“Carrie Jacobs Bond,” film.
8:30-9:30—“The Impossible Mr. Claney,” a play by John Brownell.

Saturday, Jan. 27, 1940
2:30-3:40—“Sing While You’re Able,” film feature with Pinky Tomlin.
9:00-11:00— Boxing at Ridgewood Grove Sporting Club, Sam Taub, announcer.

NEW YORK, Jan. 27.—National Broadcasting Co. is likely to increase its talent budget for television soon, probability being that the increase will come at the same time, or soon after RCA reduces price of receivers and embarks on a promotion campaign to sell more sets. Feeling at NBC currently is that a talent splurge, including higher salaries, will be a necessary corollary of the promotion campaign in that it will raise the level of live shows. Price cut is due momentarily.
Meanwhile representatives of the talent unions met in committee this week and worked out a plan for administering television for a six-month period. According to Walter Greaza, Actors’ Equity executive and member of the tele committee, this plan is already agreeable to Equity and stands a good chance of being inked by Screen Actors’ Guild and American Federation of Radio Artists as soon as minor details are worked out.
Plan does not settle the tri-cornered jurisdictional squabble over tele, but simply provides for an administrative body of five to regulate the field. This body would be composed of one member each from Equity, SAG, AFRA and Chorus Equity, and these four would pick a fifth. Controversies between members of the administrative body would be settled by two out of three vote of the three boards of SAG, Equity and AFRA. Agreement would be in force for at least six months, at the end of which time any time of the unions could abrogate it within 30 days.
Plan does not attempt to settle the jurisdiction, and Actors’ Equity makes it plain that it is still reserving jurisdictional rights over tele. According to Greaza, it would be ill-advised to embark on a jurisdictional fight now.
If pact is inked committee will try to improve conditions but will probably not try to negotiate a signed agreement with NBC—just a verbal understanding. According to Greaza, AFRA is not in favor of taking hasty measures, and he, Greaza, feels the same way about it, particularly in view of his knowledge of NBC’s side of the story. Some of the existing abuses, however, are regarded as quite bad, a prime example being the case of the telecast of The Milky Way. Cast, says Greaza, rehearsed 72 hours over a period of 15 days, and even those who had 50 sides had a salary top of $50.
Greaza’s talks with Mark Woods, NBC treasurer, indicated that NBC wanted an appropriation of $1,000,000 a year for television but succeeded in obtaining only $650,000. Of this a certain definite allocation was put aside for technical and other costs, and the leftover went for talent. NBC has tried to do as many shows as possible with this money, and Wood pointed out that if salaries were raised the number of shows would drop. Greaza and the committee are trying to avoid this and instead are trying to persuade the execs to put aside a definite sum for talent in keeping with talent’s importance in relation to costs of other items.
* * *
In a report on telecasting submitted by Alfred H. Morton, NBC vice-president in charge of tele, to the Federal Communications Commission’s tele hearings, the following facts were brought out: Weekly cost of programing W2XBS is $15,000, including overhead items; there are 2,000 receivers in the New York area, with an average audience of 8,000; audience when polled by NBC indicated that studio features, led by dramatic shows, were most liked on tele, with a rating of 2.63 out of a possible score of three; special events rated at 2.11, films at 1.96 and film shorts at 1.75; Jane Eyre took the nod as the best program since the beginning of television; 67 different advertisers co-operated with NBC in presenting 148 programs in eight months. These advertisers represented 16 major industries. Hours devoted to shows with ad tie-ups rose from 6.5 in May to 11.4 in December. (Billboard, Feb. 3)

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 (INS)—Television, radio’s name for seeing as well as hearing the ether waves, made its bow in the nation’s capital today and, in the somewhat astonished words of the first witnesses, was “just like the movies.”
Sixty members of the Washington newspaper corps sat wide-eyed before four television sets in the darkened lounge of the National Press Club auditorium, and heard as well as saw the “actors” a mile away. They may well have been sitting in a moving picture theatre, enjoying a Hollywood product, so similar to the cinema was the performance.
The Natonal Broadcasting Co., which put the show on, even engaged the services of a former thespian to become the first “televiactor” in the capital’s history. He was Speaker William B. Bankhead of the House of Representatives, father of the glamorous stage star, Tallulah, and no mean hand on the boards himself in an earlier day.
Standing on the wide and wind-swept lawn in front of the imposing marble Department of Agriculture building, Mr. Bankhead faced microphone and iconoscope camera and, in a southern drawl, allowed that television “is going to make a lot of members of the House get their feet down off the desks and quit chawin’ tobacco.”
A mile away, in the Press club, the press guffawed. Whereupon, Mr. Bankhead remarked that the bitter (for Washington) weather was forcing him to relinquish the stage to some one more inured to the cold—Representative Edith Nourse Rogers, Republican representative from Massachusetts.
The broadcasting company made a festive occasion of this realization of a photographer’s dream, which began way back in 1817 when Baron Jons Jacob Bertzelius, a Swedish pharmacist, discovered that a strange element he named selenium, would transmit electricity better in the light than in the dark.
Attendant insisted on presentation of invitations at the door, and there was a red carnation and a pamphlet history of television for each guest as he left. Cars were ready at the street entrance to transport guests to the scene of transmission at the Agriculture building. Most of those present availed themselves of the opportunity despite the cutting wind and below-freezing temperatures.
The television sets, themselves, looked just like your radio and mine. Console models, each had the lid lifted to about two-thirds open. The under side of the lid was a mirror, which comprised the “screen.” The images of the televisactors were reflected from a 7 by 10-inch oblong sunk in the face of the set, alongside the familiar dials.

Sunday, Jan. 28, 1940
2:30—Skating at Rockefeller Center Pond.
8:30—Variety program, featuring Ben Yost’s Variety Eight, Hopi Indian songs and dances, and Paul Wing’s spelling bee, with eight secretaries.

Monday, Jan. 29 1940
WASHINGTON, Jan. 29.—That the inauguration of the next President of the United States would be transmitted by television was announced today by the National Broadcasting Company during a demonstration here of the RCA system of television.
The possibility of “televising” such events as the inauguration of a President only recently has been made possible by the development of mobile television stations, operating with the so-called all-electronic system, C. B. Hanson [sic], chief engineer for NBC, explained.
The announcement came in reply to a question by Senator Lundeen of Minnesota, who was making an appearance before the NBC television camera for the benefit of Congressional colleagues gathered before receivers at the National Press Club, more than a half mile distant.
The announcer referred the question to an NBC official, who revealed the company’s plan to have a television broadcast of the ceremonies in January, 1941. (NY Times)

Wednesday, Jan. 31, 1940
2:30—“How to Improve Your Photographs,” Nicholas Haz, fellow of the Royal Photographic Society.
2:45—“Burn ‘Em Up, Barnes,” film.
3:05—“Imprisoned Freshness by Birdseye,” film.
3:15—“The Right and Wrong of It,” feminine hats and hair-dos presented by Elizabeth Watts.
8:30—A documentary telecast by the B. and O. Railroad.
9:00-11:00— Preliminary bouts of the Golden Gloves amateur boxing tournament at Ridgewood Grove Sporting Club, Sam Taub, announcer.