TV in Bakersfield, 1933

Last week, we briefly mentioned W6XAH in Bakersfield, California. The internet has some fine research on the station; you can read it on this page.

I’m not going to duplicate their efforts but, instead, will pass along some newspaper clippings published in 1933 to give you an idea about its programming.

The Bakersfield Californian reported on May 28, 1932 that the Pioneer Mercantile Company, which had a construction permit and an experimental permit, had been granted a license to operate at 2000 to 2100 kilocycles with 1000 watts of power. The original permit had been awarded by June 30, 1931. Gustavus Schamblin was a German who was employed as an accountant for a company that shipped milk. Schamblin went into business on his own in 1899 and, eventually, financed efforts that gave birth to W6XAH. He died suddenly of a heart attack on Feb. 7, 1933, but the station carried on under his three sons.

W6XAH was a rarity—it broadcast live studio programming. It’s somewhat remarkable the same acts would show up for free once or twice a week to be on telecasts. The talent was, for the most part, amateur, though the newspaper goes into some detail about an animal act, and an appearance by KFWB radio comedian Joe Twerp; animation fans will have heard him as the voice of the iceman in the Tex Avery cartoon I Only Have Eyes For You.

One of the acts was possibly the first woman-led band on television. Jeanne Gayle Pool’s book “Peggy Gilbert & Her All-Girl Band” (Scarecrow Press, 2008) has this comment from a Mark D. Luttrell:

The Schamblin brothers were able to produce basic television images but they were only able to be received in the vicinity of the studio and only a few homes had televisions receiving signals in those days. People gathered on the sidewalk outside the studios to watch the experimental broadcasts on television monitors that had been set up.

Frank B. Smith, Jr., said he was designated the announcer at the station. His remembrance in Pool’s book:

We broadcast video by means of a mechanical scanner — a swiftly whirling disk perforated with slots that would pick up visual images. Our music library considered of only one platter and when we went on the air, we would play our single recording, “Goofus,” a catchy popular tune performed by a nimble fingered pianist. The title expressed all there was to say about our early project. We gave the venture our best though we were mostly uninformed about what we were doing. . . .

Joseph H. Udelson’s book “The Great Television Race” (University of Alabama Press, 1982) described the station:

W6XAH was of unusual design. The builders altered a standard Jenkins transmitter scanner by adding a new disc of 32 apertures, rotated 60 times per second; 3 rotations were required to produce each of the final 96-line frames, with 20 such frames per second. The increase in picture lines was accomplished without the necessity of adding additional frequency bandwidth to the assigned 100 kHz. (normally able to accommodate only a 60-line frame) by using a new single sideband suppressed carried technique. A variant of this method, vestigial sideband transmission, is the standard employed in current American television broadcasting.

The Californian, apparently beginning in September (some earlier months’ editions are unavailable for review), gave a brief summary of the acts on almost every broadcast. There were stories as well, which you can read below.

Ruling Sought to Ban Broadcasting of Mickey Mouse
It takes a court order to keep Mickey Mouse from his play when the boss is away.
Mickey has been sneaking into radio and making personal appearances via television it was learned today when the Walt Disney Productions filed a petition in United States District Court seeking an order restraining the Pioneer Mercantile Company of Bakersfield from broadcasting Mickey Mouse films over its experimental television station here.
Peter Simos and John Carnakis of the Rex theater also are named as defendants in the action, the plaintiffs alleging the theater has been supplying the films for the use of the television station. (May 16)

TELEVISION SOUND PROGRAM SLATED
Broadcast to Be First Ever Attempted in West With Voice and Vision
Scientific history will be written in Bakersfield tonight when the first television-sound Program ever to be broadcast in western United States will be sent out from the great 5000-watt television station of the Pioneer Mercantile Company here.
While there have been many broadcasts of television and many of sound, separately, there never has been one in the west of the two together, according to Ralph Lemert, engineer in charge of the station.
The program will be broadcast between 8 and 9 o’clock this evening, and will include musical numbers and speaking.
Although few if any persons in Bakersfield with the exception of the engineer will “see” the television portion of the program, thousands of listeners will be able to hear the sound.
The sound will come in at 1550 meters arid the television at 2050 meters. Call letters of the sound division of the station are W6XE and of the television, W6XAH.
The station broadcasts every Monday, Wednesday and Friday evening. (May 31)

SYNCHRONIZED TELEVISION PROGRAM ON THE AIR TONIGHT
FEATURING a new synchronized television program over the Pioneer Mercantile Company’s big broadcasting station here, the “Hullabaloo Hour” will go on the air tonight between 8 and 9 o’clock, featuring both home and professional talent, according to announcement by Jack Allyn, program director of the hour.
Voice and television are synchronized by the station, the pictures coming in at 2050 kilocycles over Station W6XAH and the sound coming in at 1550 kilocycles over Station W6XE.
Frank Schamblin, president of the Pioneer company, is in active
management of the station, with Ralph Lemert, eminent radio engineer, as his staff chief.
On the “Hullabaloo Hour,” in addition to Mr. Allyn, will appear Jack Rees and his Hullabalooers; Harry Dillon, Chet Phillips, Edna Overton, Dick Lowe, Ralph Neate, Max Bayliss, Dorothy Harpster and Minerva Tracy, all well-known Bakersfield entertainers, and Harry and Trixie Masters, who are appearing in the revue at the Fox theater. (June 12)

STUART ROSS TO PLAY ON PROGRAM
Television Station Is Being “Seen and Heard” Over Entire Continent
Continuing the series of television programs which have attracted attention as far east as New York and New Jersey, and west to the Hawaiian islands, the Pioneer Mercantile Company will feature Hullabaloo hour in its broadcast between 8 and 9 o’clock tomorrow evening. Stuart Ross, internationally noted pianist, who has played in Vienna, Berlin, Paris and before the king and queen of England, will be one of the featured artists.
Fan mail received by the Bakersfield television company indicates that people are “looking in” on the local programs from within a radius of 3000 miles, while a particularly large following has been built up locally.
Three Programs
The station is on the air three nights weekly, Monday with its dance hour, when Jack Rees and his Hullabalooers will comply with all requests; Wednesday with the regular Hullabaloo hour, and Friday, with “Varieties.” Auditions for the purpose of discovering local talent are held every Thursday afternoon at 3 o’clock at the broadcasting studios, Twenty-first and Sonora streets.
Through the courtesy of Bob Frenzel, manager of the Fox theater, the famed “Fire Eaters” of Ted Fio-Rio’s orchestra assisted in the program last night.
Two Wave Lengths
Voice and television are synchronized by the station, the pictures coming in at 2050 kilocycles over station W6XAH, and the sound coming in at 1550 kilocycles over station W6XE.
Frank Schamblin, president of the Pioneer company, and Ralph Lemert, radio technician, are in charge of the broadcasting.
Programs are arranged by Jack Allyn, with the assistance of Harry Dillon. (June 20)

PLAYS OVER TELEVISION
Having the distinction of being the first bag-piper to play over television, Ian McEwing, chief piper to Clan McInness, Los Angeles, presented a group of Scottish airs last evening at the local station. With Duncan McLeod of the McLeod Construction Company who is in the city on business, Mr. McEwing has been registered at Hotel El Tejon. He is much in demand as a piper for highland events, and has been hugely enjoyed in informal concerts at the hotel and in the homes of local friends.
Stuart Ross, modified jazz soloist, recently returned from Europe, also appeared on the program. (June 22)

Expect 25,000 at Benefit Picnic of Highway Patrol
Television Station Will Send Hullabaloo Hour Entertainers to Help Make Event Success
WITH the fires in the great 40-foot barbecue pits ready to be lighted, concession stands erected, wooden horses on the merry-go-round all ready to be harnessed and Paradise Grove a scene of cool cleanliness, Kern county officers of the California Highway Patrol announced today all in readiness for their annual jamboree Sunday.
Twenty-five thousand central and southern California residents are expected to attend the big old-fashioned picnic, given to raise funds for the families of officers killed in action.
Outstanding among developments today was the announcement that Jack Allyn and his Hullabaloo hour “gang” from the Pioneer Mercantile Company’s big television station, W6XAH, will join the all-day program on which are featured screen, stage and radio stars of national prominence.
Full Hour on Program
Allyn, pianist, director and announcer on the Hullabaloo hour, which each Wednesday evening is seen and heard over the entire continent, and his entertaining companions will have at least an hour on the program, Captain Roy Galyen of the Highway Patrol announced.
Harry Dillon, Allyn’s assistant and gag-man; Jack Rees and his Hullabaloo orchestra, acclaimed the finest in southern San Joaquin valley; Minerva Tracy, Chester Phillips and Florence Bayless and many others of the Hullabalooers will participate. (June 23)

HIGH SCHOOL GIRL KILLED, 6 HURT IN CRASH
OPAL FLEENOR, 17-year-old Bakersfield High School girl, was instantly killed and six other young persons were painfully injured in a tragic automobile-truck collision at the intersection of Niles and Tulare street shortly after 7 o’clock last evening. [...]
Two of her brothers, Eugene [15] and Raymond, were talented musicians and were to have appeared on tonight’s program broadcast by Pioneer Mercantile Company’s television station. Their appearance has been canceled by the tragedy. (Sept. 1)

VAUDEVILLE STARS ON TELEVISION PROGRAM
Talented musicians and dancers of the vaudeville stage will be featured on tonight’s program of the Pioneer Mercantile Company’s big synchronized television station.
The program, which will begin at 8 p. m., will include acts by many of Gloria Gay’s troupe, who are appearing this week at the new Hippodrome theater. Peggy Gilbert and her band and Saul Brilliant and his comedy team are among those who will be transmitted through the air on both the vision and sound equipment of the synchronized station. Another feature will be appearance of Red Dust, motion picture canine star, who is being hailed as a second Rin-Tin-Tin. The dog will be in an act with Robert Williams of Hollywood. (Sept. 6)

CANINE STAR THRILLS HUGE AUDIENCE OVER TELEVISION
THE premiere of a trained dog over the sound and vision wave lengths of the air was accomplished in Bakersfield last night when “Red Dust,” one of the most spectacular canine performers in the world, and his master, Robert Williams of Hollywood, stepped before the pickup cameras and, microphones of Pioneer Mercantile Company’s big television station.
Red Dust is a Bakersfield visitor this week, being a part of the stage show troupe being presented here by Gloria Gay.
Never before flashed on the screen by radio, the acts of Red Dust proved the most sensational of the many entertaining features presented by Miss Gay’s group.
The dog first went through a series of statuesque, still-life poses at command of his master, then swung into a rapid fire group of acts heretofore believed impossible for a dog.
Swung by his front paws in the hands of his master, Red Dust came to a perfect handstand high in the air on the palm of Mr. Williams, then want through the same swing and balanced on the palm of a hand with only one front foot, ungripped by his master, supporting his weight.
Showing the perfect balance of Red Dust, Mr. Williams tossed the dog high into the air, permitting it to land on its front feet on a nearby table; it remained standing that way, then walked until ordered to resume a normal position.
It also showed its ability as a contortionist. With the dog lying on his back Mr. Williams slowly bent it double until its hips rested on its neck; then he reversed the position of the dog and bent it backward until its hips rested upon the top of its head, and it stayed that way, unassisted, until returned to normal position. As a finale, Red Dust stood on his hind legs and skipped rope in unison with Mr. Williams.
Red Dust, who is only 11 months old, is a Manchurian Malamute, a rare species of Chow. (Sept. 7)

PEGGY GILBERT AND BAND ARE IN MOVIE
Peggy Gilbert and her nine-piece girls’ band, who have been entertaining Bakersfield from the stage and over the Pioneer Mercantile Company’s television station, will leave for Hollywood within a few days, planning to engage in another motion picture production.
Miss Gilbert already has shown with her girls’ bands in several cinemas, the most notable being “The Wet Parade,” “Politics,” featuring Marie Dressler, and “My Boy,” a Columbia picture with Richard Cromwell. Her band was the first musical aggregation consisting exclusively of girls to play over the local television station. Many requests for a repetition of her radio performance have been received by the television program managers. (Sept. 8)

Plan Novelty Night at Television Plant
Monday night will be termed “novelty night” at the local television station. Anyone who sings, plays a musical instrument, or presents readings is invited to be present at 7 o’clock.
The public is requested to listen in and write the Pioneer Mercantile Company, Bakersfield, as to whom they considered the three best performers. Those in charge are promising that all who come will be put on the air. Singers have been asked to bring their accompanists. Those who have been at past auditions on Thursdays from 3:30 to 5 and from 7 to 8 o’clock, are also requested to be present. (Sept. 8)

Peggy Gilbert Band to Broadcast Again
Peggy Gilbert and her nine-piece girls’ band will return to the air tonight over the sound and vision wave lengths of Pioneer Mercantile Company’s synchronized television station, it was announced today by Harry Dillon and Curtis Sturm, program managers.
Miss Gilbert and her orchestra have been signed for tonight’s performance as the result of numbers requests received at the television studio since they were on the air last week. Numerous other attractive attractive entertainment features also will be broadcast during the one-hour program, which will begin at 8 p. m. (Sept. 13)

PAT MORAN TO SING OVER RADIO TONIGHT
Through the facilities of Pioneer Mercantile Company’s big television broadcasting station, Bakersfield and Kern county “listeners-in” tonight will be given an opportunity to hear James F. (Pat) Moran, who a few years ago was widely and popularly known as Bakersfield’s “singing policeman.”
Accompanied at the piano by Mrs. Delia Shutts, Mr. Moran will sing several numbers during the television program which will begin at 8 p. m. and continue for one hour. All of his selections will be deep bass numbers. For several years, while serving with the Bakersfield Police department, Mr. Moran was a popular vocal entertainer for cubs and fraternal organizations throughout the country.
The television sound and vision broadcasts which can be picked up in many sections of the nation will feature many other entertaining artists during the 60-minute program. (Sept. 15)

Television Programs Canceled Few Days
The Pioneer Mercantile Company’s television station will not be on the air for its usual broadcast tonight, it was announced today. Operators have determined to move the broadcasting studios from their present location to a point nearer the transmitter, in an effort to secure greater power and more accuracy of reproduction, and the nightly broadcasts will be discontinued for several days until these adjustments have been completed. (Sept. 22)

Television Program Off Air for While
Though the Pioneer Mercantile Company’s television broadcasting station has been off the air several times during the last few days for test broadcasting, regularly scheduled broadcasts will not be resumed for another two or three weeks, it was announced today. Operators are re-arranging part of the hookup, and this, together with moving the broadcasting studios, is expected to delay resumption of the popular television programs. (Oct. 10)

TELEVISION STATION GOES ON AIR TONIGHT
After being silent for several weeks, Pioneer Mercantile Company’s big television station will be on the air again tonight, its studio and broadcasting units greatly improved.
A new program schedule has also been announced. Broadcasting will be from 8 p. m. until 9 p. m. every Wednesday and Friday, with entertainment programs. Monday evenings will be given over to experimental work with make-up, lighting arrangements, position of microphone and similar details. (Oct. 25)

Pat Moran to Sing on Radio Program
Pioneer Mercantile Company’s big television station will broadcast sound and vision again tonight, the entertainment program beginning at 8 o’clock and continuing for one hour.
Among those to be featured on the program will be Pat Moran, popular bass, who will sing several request numbers which have been received at the television studio. “Asleep in the Deep” will be one of his principal numbers. (Nov. 3)

Talented Pianist on Television Program
Carl Dodge, Los Ange1es pianist, will be featured on the regular television broadcast of the Pioneer Mercantile Company station between 8 and 9 o’clock this evening. Mr. Dodge, who is a graduate of the Sherwood Conservatory of Music at Chicago and has gained fame throughout the west, will play “Contrasts,” by Lee Sims, and “Manhattan Serenade,” by Louis Alter.
Auditions, conducted for the purpose of discovering new radio talent among local artists, are scheduled for tomorrow afternoon between 8:30 and 5 o’clock and from 7 until 8 o’clock at night. (Nov. 8)

GREAT PARADE OPENS ARMISTICE DAY FETE
Commemorating conclusion of the greatest war in the history of mankind, Bakersfield today observed Armistice day with the greatest peace-time demonstration in the history of the southern San Joaquin. A mighty stream of humanity, more than five miles in length, marched for three hours through the business district of this city, renewing the pledge made 15 years ago today to build a new and better civilization out of the havoc brought by the World War. [...]
The commercial section of the parade closed the pageant. The Bakersfield Television station was represented by a broadcast given by approximately 20 entertainers from a decorated truck. (Nov. 11)

WOMAN ENGAGED IN NEW BUSINESS
Mrs. Nevin, Saleswoman for Electrical Transcription, Tells Radio Progress
It wasn’t so long ago that when a radio fan heard the words, “This is an electrical transcription, he would give the knob a twist and sent his dial spinning to some other station, but now if the radio fan is fair-minded he really can’t tell the difference if he tunes in on the middle of a program. Mrs. Lela Nevins, who is in the city in connection with the promotion of the Buy in Bakersfield’s “Buy Now” exposition of the Bakersfield Women’s Club, knows a great deal about electrical transcription, and how such records are made. [...]
Mrs. Nevins paid a visit to the Bakersfield television station yesterday, and was greatly impression with its equipment.
“It is one of only three stations that are broadcasting television programs, and the only one in the state that uses real artists. The Los Angeles television station broadcast motion pictures. Bakersfield should be very proud of the pioneering this station is doing.” (Dec. 2)

TONGUE-TWISTER JOE TWERP STAR FOR LOCAL SHOW
THE “Buy Bakersfield” Show, community-interest exposition being sponsored by the Bakersfield Woman’s Club at the clubhouse this week, last evening drew a large attendance and featured an entertaining program. Joe Twerp, stuttering reporter of radio fame, presided as master of ceremonies. [...]
The sisters, Thelma, Melba and Vera Brown, also broadcast a brief program with Mr. Twerp from the local television station in the interest of the “Buy Bakersfield” show. (Dec. 14)

Television Audition Slated for Tonight
Another evening of auditions to secure additional talent for broadcasting weekly programs over Pioneer Mercantile Company’s big television station will be held this evening in the radio studio. Auditions will begin at 7:30 o’clock and close at 9 each Thursday night. (Dec. 21)

Special Television Program on Friday
A special two-hour broadcast is scheduled to begin tomorrow evening at 8 o’clock over Pioneer Mercantile Company’s television station, it was announced today. More than 50 persons, well known artists of Bakersfield, will participate in the “Frolic.” (Dec. 28)

= = = =

W6XE—TELEVISION—W6XAH
193.5 M.—1550 K.
8 to 9—“Television Varieties” presenting Juanita Ray, Ruth Tabor, Richard Bailey, Dan Gibbon, Bruno Monte, “Mac” McWhorter, Arthur Duerksen, Les Baker, Jack Isaac’s orchestra, Curtis Sturm, with Harry Dillon announcing. (Fri., Sep. 1)

W6XE—TELEVISION—W6XAH
193.5 M.—1550 K.
8 to 9—Television varities, presenting “Stag Nite,” with Richard Bailey, Winters and Haltom, Dan Gibbons, Bruno Monti, “Mac” McWhorter, Earl Shaw, Ivan Tarr, Les Baker, cowboy act; Arthur Duerksen; Horace Krebs, Curtis Sturm and Harry Dillon, master of ceremonies. (Fri., Sept. 8)

W6XE—TELEVISION—W6XAH
193.5 M.—1550 K.
8 to 9—Novelty and talent night—“For the sole purpose of discovering new talent. Everyone that comes will be positively put on the air. All soloists bring their own accompanists. Those participating are request to be at the station not later than 7 p. m.,” says Harry Dillon, master of ceremonies. (Mon. Sep. 11)

W6XE—TELEVISION—W6XAH
193.5 M.—1550 K.
8 to 9—Peggy Gilbert and her nine-piece girls’ band, with the Morelli, brothers, Big Boy Williams and Patsy Lee mistress of ceremonies; Horace Krebs, Riley Davis, Robert Milligan, Earl Shaw, Ivan Tarr, Margaret Maddux, Ruth Taber, Sunkist Syncopators, Art Lewis, Arthur Duerksen. (Wed. Sep. 13)

W6XE—TELEVISION—W6XAH
193.5 M.—1550 K.
8 to 9—Television Varieties, presenting Margaret Maddux, Ruth Taber, Hawaiian Quartet, “Mac” McWhorter, Les Baker, Dan Gibbon, Richard Bailey, Bruno Monti, Riverview Rangers, Winters and Haltom, Horace Krebs, Arthur Duerksen, Curtis Sturm and Harry Dillon, master of ceremonies. (Fri. Sep. 15)

W6XE—TELEVISION—W6XAH
193.5 M.—1550 K.
8 to 9—“Musical varities,” presenting Kern River Outlaws playing old-time music; Harmony Boys in “Hawaiian Harmonies”; Jack Isaac’s orchestra, presenting “Modern Melodies”; Margaret Maddux, Chares Lambert, Curtis Sturm and Harry Dillon, master of ceremonies. (Mon. Sep. 18)

W6XE—TELEVISION—W6XAH
193.5 M.—1550 K.
8 to 9—“Televue hour,” presenting Hews and Coffelt, Riley Davis’ trio, Margaret Maddux, Ruth Taber, Les Baker, Shaw and Tarr, Arthur Duerksen, “Mac” McWhorter, Seibert’s orchestra, Curtis Sturm and Harry Dillon, master of ceremonies. (Wed. Sep. 20)

W6XE—TELEVISION—W6XAH
193.5 M.—1550 K.
8 to 9—Presenting Oklahoma Outlaws, Richard Bailey, Ruth Tabor, Jess Jones, Art Lewis, Pineapple Trio, Curtis Sturm and Harry Dillon, master of ceremonies. (Mon., Oct. 2)

W6XE—TELEVISION—W6XAH
193.5 M.—1550 K.
8 to 9—Televue Hour—Charles Lambert, Varsity Voodooites, Riley Davis Trio, Marguerite Maddux, Art Duerksen, Juanita Ray, Sunkist Syncopators, Pineapple Trio, Dick Bailey, Mac McWhorter, Curtis Sturm and Harry Dillon, master of ceremonies. (Wed., Oct 25)

W6XE—TELEVISION—W6XAH
193.5 M.—1550 K.
8 to 9—Presenting “Televue Hour,” with Mojica Tippeca orchestra, Charles Lambert, Washboard Rhythm Boys, Pineapple Trio, Art Lewis, Arthur Duerksen, Margaret Maddux, “Mac” McWhorton, Paul Seibert’s orchestra, Sunkist Syncopators, Curtis Sturm, station identifier, Harry Dillon, master of ceremonies. (Wed., Nov. 1)

W6XE—TELEVISION—W6XAH
193.5 M.—1550 K.
8 to 9—Television Varieties, presenting Daredevils, Harmony Boys, Television Orchestra, Pat Moran, Bruno Monte, Earl Shaw and Ivan Tarr, Dan Gibbon, Arthur Duerksen, Art Lewis, Harry Dillon, master of ceremonies, Curtis Sturm, announcing. (Fri., Nov. 3)

W6XE—TELEVISION—W6XAH
193.5 M.—1550 K.
8 to 9—“Televue Hour,” presenting Oklahoma Night Riders, Mojica Tippeca orchestra, Earl Shaw and Ivan Tarr, Mac McWhorter, Arthur Duerksen, Margaret Maddux, Pineapple Trio, Dick Bailey, Buffalo Rhythm Stomppers, Art Lewis, Charles Lambert, Harry Dillon, master of ceremonies; and Curtis Sturm announcing. (Wed., Nov. 8)

W6XE—TELEVISION—W6XAH
193.5 M.—1550 K.
8 to 9—“Television Varities,” presenting Margaret Maddux, Bruno Monti, Dan Gibbon, Sunkist Syncopators, Daredevils, “Mac” McWhorter, Horace Krebs, Riley Davis, Art Lewis, Mojica Tippeca orchestra; Harry Dillon, master of ceremonies; Curtis Sturm, announcing. (Fri., Nov. 10)

W6XE—TELEVISION—W6XAH
193.5 M.—1550 K.
8 to 9—“Televue Hour,” presenting Margaret Maddux, Richard Bailey, Mac McWhorter, Charles Lambert, Art Duerksen, Pop Ware’s Oklahoma Night Riders, Earl Shaw, Ivan Tarr, Curtis Sturm, master of ceremonies, and Clinton Maddux announcing. (Wed., Nov. 15)

W6XE—TELEVISION—W6XAH
193.5 M.—1550 K.
8 to 9—“Television Varities,” presenting Mojica Tipeca Orchestra; Daredevils, Dan Gibbon, Bruno Monte, Wilma Davis, Sing Sailors, Gene Fleener and Buddy Baggett, Curtis Sturm, Master of Ceremonies, Clinton Maddux, announcing. (Fri., Nov. 17)

W6XE—TELEVISION—W6XAH
193.5 M.—1550 K.
8 to 9—Television Revue, presenting Paul McCart, Roy Fife, Margaret Maddux, Art Duerksen, Earl Shaw, Ivan Tarr, Pineapple Trio, Pope Ware’s Oklahoma Nite Riders,Mac McWhorter, Charles Lambert; Curtis Sturm, master of ceremonies; Clinton Maddux, announcing. (Wed., Nov. 22)

W6XE—TELEVISION—W6XAH
193.5 M.—1550 K.
8 to 9—Television Varieties, presenting Wilma Davis, Edna Overton, Bruno Monti, Art Duerksen, Horace Krebs, Daredevils, Dan Gibbons, Mac McWhorter, Charles Lambert, Harmony Boys, Television Orchestra. Curtis Sturm, master of ceremonies; Clinton Maddux, announcing. (Fri., Nov. 25)

W6XE—TELEVISION—W6XAH
193.5 M.—1550 K.
8 to 9—Television Revue, presenting Paul McCart, Roy Fife, Margaret Maddux, Art Duerksen, Earl Shaw’s Quartet, Pineapple Trio, Mac MacWhorter, Charles Lambert, Pope Ware’s Oklahoma Nite Riders, Wylie-Sykes Orchestra. Curtis Sturm, master of ceremonies; Mac McWhorter, announcing. (Wed., Nov. 29)

W6XE—TELEVISION—W6XAH
193.5 M.—1550 K.
8 to 9—Television Reue, presenting Margaret Maddux, Dick Bailey, Art Duerksen, Charles Lambert, Frank Cuevas, Mac McWhorter, Earl Smith and quartet, Pop Ware’s Oklahoma Nite Riders, L. Negrani. Curtis Sturm, master of ceremonies; Clinton Maddux announcing. (Wed., Dec. 6)

W6XE—TELEVISION—W6XAH
193.5 M.—1550 K.
8 to 9—Television Revue, presenting Pop Ware and his Oklahoma Nite Riders, Charles Lambert, Richard Bailey, Margaret Sturm, Frank Cuevas, Louis Negroni, Television orchestra, Horace Krebs, Curtis Sturm, master of ceremonies; Clinton Maddux announcing. (Fri., Dec. 8)

W6XE—TELEVISION—W6XAH
193.5 M.—1550 K.
8 to 9—Television Varieties, presenting Wilma Davis, Don Gibbons, Charles Lambert, Bruno Monti, Edna Overton, Margaret Maddux, Dare-Devils, Television quartet, Roy Fife. Curtis Sturm, master of ceremonies; Clinton Maddux announcing. (Wed., Dec. 13)

W6XE—TELEVISION—W6XAH
193.5 M.—1550 K.
8 to 9—Television varieties, presenting Wilma Davis, Jerry Scott, Marjorie Holmes, Edna Overton, Jimmy Gallaher, Dan Gibbons, Bruno Monti, Happy Jack, Dare Devils, Horace Krebs. Curtis Sturm, master of ceremonies, Clinton Maddux announcing. (Fri., Dec. 15)

W6XE—TELEVISION—W6XAH
193.5 M.—1550 K.
8 to 9—Television Revue, presenting Charles Lambert, Oklahoma Night Riders, Eva Schamblin, Frank Cuevas, Earl Shaw and quartet, Louis Negroni, Margaret Sturm, Richard Bailey, Arthur Duerksen, Horace Krebs and Riley Davis. Curtis Sturm, master of ceremonies, and Clinton Maddux announcing. (Wed., Dec. 20)

W6XE—TELEVISION—W6XAH
193.5 M.—1550 K.
8 to 9—Television Varities, presenting Edna Overton, Wilma Davis Eva Schamblin, Idaho Jack, Jimmy Gallaher, Elmer Smith, Dan Gibbons, Bruno Monti, Horace Krebs, Margaret Sturm, Dare Devils, Curtis Sturm, master of ceremonies, Clinton Maddux announcing. (Fri., Dec. 22)

W6XE—TELEVISION—W6XAH
193.5 M.—1550 K.
8 to 9—“Television Revue,” presenting Arthur Duerksen & Company, Charles Lambert, Frank Cuevas, Margaret Sturm, Richard Bailey, Pop Ware and his Oklahoma Night Riders, Curtis Sturm, master of ceremonies; Clinton Maddux station announcer. (Wed., Dec. 27)

W6XE—TELEVISION—W6XAH
193.5 M.—1550 K.
8 to 9—Television New Year frolic, presenting Frank Cuevas, Charles Lambert, Dick Bailey, Horace Krebs and Riley Davis, Arthur Duerkson, Margaret Sturm, Dan Gibbons, Wilma Davis, Idaho Jack, Jimmey Gallaher, Bruno Monti, Oklahoma Night Riders. Dare devils, Bradford’s orchestra, Duerson sisters and the Television quartet, Curtis Sturm, master of ceremonies, and Clinton Maddux station announcer. (Fri., Dec. 29)

Sources conflict about when W6XAH went off the air. On April 30, 1935, it was granted a license renewal to May 1, 1936. Udelson claims the station “ceased operating after 1935 because of the general decline of mechanical television’s prospects, the reassignment of the shortwave television channels to other services, and the lack of local interest in the project.” The 1937 Broadcasting magazine directory no longer has the station listed.

Some Day, Television Will Have News and Talkies

This blog has concentrated mainly on the development of television on the East Coast, where mechanical stations sent signals to home sets with scanning discs starting in the late 1920s. Only the CBS station W2XAB in New York had live, regular programming, which was suddenly cut off the air in February 1933. For the most part, television died in the greater New York area until NBC started broadcasting from the World’s Fair in 1939.

On the West Coast, the story was different. Television has been broadcasting continually since December 23, 1931, when W6XAO went on the air with an electronic system. Even during World War Two, the station broadcast on Mondays every other week. It is still on the air as KCBS-TV.

Don Lee Broadcasting was granted a second license for a station in a different frequency range. The few news reports about W6XS seem to use the call-letters interchangeably. The Los Angeles Daily News of July 9, 1932 reported it was under construction. Variety's 1937 Directory states it operated from Nov. 17, 1932 to Oct. 25, 1934; the Associated Press of Dec. 23, 1932 reported the station was beginning daily (except Sunday) operation that day after preliminary tests.

In June 1933, the Los Angeles Times reported both Don Lee stations operated nightly from 7 to 9 and mornings on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 to 11. It was not the only station in California. W6XAH in Bakersville announced a live, one-hour programme for May 31st, though one of the local papers admitted few people besides engineers would have a set that could pick up the video portion.

The International Photographer magazine published several feature stories on W6XAO. Through its pre-commercial days, the station was under the care of engineer Harry R. Lubcke. The magazine interviewed him for its July 1933 issue. Below is a selection of some of his answers to give you an idea of the state of television at the time, and some of his predictions.

Q. What were the beginnings of television development on the West Coast?

Ans. Television Laboratory work was started in San Francisco in 1927 under the direction of Philo Farnsworth who, since 1931, has been associated with Philco in Philadelphia. This work was of purely a research nature and was not broadcast. The Don Lee Broadcasting System started television research in late 1930 and by late 1931 W6XAO, the ultra high frequency transmitter was broadcasting television images on a regular schedule.

Q. What has been your part in television evolution here in California?

Ans. The work of W6XAO continued, and by May, 1932, the first television image ever received in an airplane was transmitted from this station and received in a Western Air Express tri-motored Fokker plane, flying over the city of Los Angeles. A new cathode-ray type television receiver, developed by the Don Lee organization, was used, and made the reception possible, in that it would operate and remain synchronized when away from power mains common to the transmitter.
On the first anniversary of W6XAO's initial broadcast, the 1000 watt television transmitter W6XS was put into operation. This transmitter being of greater power was heard generally throughout the coast and Nation and by January, 1933, its images had been received across the continent in the state of Maine. Television pictures of the damage done in the recent earthquake were broadcast by W6XS and W6XAO as soon as films taken in the stricken area could be rushed to the television equipment, presaging handling of news events in the future when television becomes more common. W6XAO and W6XS have continued to transmit television images on a regular daily schedule since their initial broadcasts, sending out close-ups of movie stars, news reels, shorts, and other material. This continued service has aroused public interest in the reality of television which at the present time is being manifest in a demand for receiving equipment and the construction of same by those qualified.

Q. How far around the corner is commercial television?

Ans. This is, perhaps, one of the most embarrassing questions that can be asked to one closely connected with television. Many experts have already become false prophets and those that are left are wise enough not to give an answer. I believe, that television is not coming around a corner, but by a long gradual curve, and that some day it will be upon us without our having realized that it has arrived. I expect that the development will be gradual, and that although there will be landmarks and days on which the public talks more about television than others, its acceptance will be a gradual process. The Federal Radio Commission has, of course, ruled television experimental and until that ruling is changed, the transmission of sponsored programs is impossible. Just as radio broadcasting was changed from an experimental basis to a commercial basis and all the stations lost their number prefixes and took on Ks and Ws, as KHJ and WABC, so some day W6XS and W6XAO will become K this and K that.

Q. How long before a system of television can be evolved that will equal in a general way the present status of radio broadcasting?

Ans. About twice as long as it will take to come around the corner. After television receivers are available on the market, public acceptance and familiarity with them must be built up until they are willing to make the necessary expenditure to put one in their home.

Q. What will be the effects of commercial television upon the stage — the motion picture theatre and industry in general?

Ans. I believe television will find its sphere of activity as a home entertainment and as such will not directly compete with the stage or motion picture theatre. It will, undoubtedly, change the type of presentation that we will go to the legitimate and the motion picture theatre to see. Many people believed that the telephone would destroy the usefulness of the telegraph, but we all know that this was not the case. The telephone restricted the field of the telegraph because it handled certain situations in a better way, but they both enjoy a proper field of activity at the present time.
The attraction of a crowd will still cause the American public to go to the theatre and the attraction of the living presentation will cause the stage to survive for all time. Football stadiums are still filled by folks who want to be there, although they could probably find out more about what was happening by staying home and listening to the radio.
There is no doubt that television will help industry in general by creating, as it will, a new industry.
When television has reached its full stature it is entirely possible that, with radio, it will leave its present studios and emerge, full fledged, upon the stage. The radio-television performance of that day will be so nearly a vaudeville performance or play, that it will draw a paying house in its own right. Many will come to see their favorite stars perform in person.
At even a later date I look for a Renaissance to the legitimate stage, when, having reached the ultimate in mechanistic entertainment, we will return to an appreciation of the pure art of the stage. I believe that the stage has the strongest future position of any of our present day theatrical enterprises. Television and radio by that time will have become necessities of life as we will care to live it.

Q. Will television reception in the home ever equal the motion picture in smoothness of detail and beauty?

Ans. Yes. Motion pictures now give more detail than can be appreciated by the eye. When the psychological limit of appreciation of the eye is reached by television, it will be on a par with the motion picture. Just where this limit stands is open to some doubt, but a picture of 200 or 300 lines will probably come close enough to a perfect presentation to be taken as such.

Q. In television reception, are sound and vision simultaneous as in sound pictures in the theatres?

Ans. Yes, if facilities are provided for both. If a human subject is being televised, a microphone and its accompanying channel of communication, as well as television camera and its channel of communication, must be provided from the location of the scene to the viewer's home. This is generally provided by two special channels of communication, such as a broadcasting station carrying the sound and a television station carrying the sight, with separate sound and sight receivers in the viewer's home, or these two receivers combined in a single cabinet. For talking motion pictures, a sound head is provided on the projector in much the same way that it is used in the theatre.

Q. How will television affect the production department of motion pictures, such as directors, cameramen, etc. — if at all?

Ans. Television will affect each and every department of motion picture industry. If they choose to produce movies for television consumption they will be addressing a different audience than they now approach in the theatre. Their presentation must be more on the order of the present radio program than of the present motion picture. Also, television has limitations which must be catered to at the start. The sets must be simple and certain factors in photography taken into consideration.
If they continue to produce motion pictures, they must produce masterpieces that transcend their present efforts and the presentations that will be offered over television.

Q. How will television affect the newsreels?

Ans. Television will be one of their natural outlets in the future. Whether this will take them out of the theatre or not is open to question. The field will undoubtedly be split between actual television camera presentation of an event as it occurs, the transmission of special television news reels over the television, and more carefully edited and presented news items to be shown in the theatres.

Q. Will news television record the action and sound on film as well as direct broadcast to homes so that performance can be repeated in theatres for those who miss direct reception?

Ans. It can. At first, however, it will undoubtedly be best to have regular motion picture cameramen at the scene as well as television cameramen. The television cameraman will scurry hither and yon picking up the best scenes that he can while the event is taking place ; while several movie cameras will more adequately cover the occasion and produce a more complete and organized record for film showing over television at a later time, or for theatre presentation.

July-August 1929

There wasn’t an awful lot to see when W3XK got a new, improved transmitter in July 1929. More people could view the programming, but consisted mainly of silhouette drawings. No live bodies on camera.

W3XK was one of two Jenkins television stations on the air at the time. Frank Jenkins was spending much of his time in mid-1929 trying to transmit from an airplane (which crashed in August, leaving him with a cut over an eye), demostrating a new kind of TV set, and dealing with two lawsuits.

Meanwhile, in the mountains near Poughkeepsie, a television station signed on. You can read more about W2XBU in this post.

The Buffalo News published a roundup of active and semi-active stations from something called the Science Service. This is from July 3, 1929. Later editions added W2XBU, the increase in power of W2XK and put W9XR on the air, so it must have been current.

On Regular Schedule
CHICAGO—W9XAA, Chicago Federation of Labor, 500 watts (approved for 1000 watts) 2000-2100 kc. or 145 m. standard scanning*. Time, daily except Sunday; movies, still pictures and living subjects.
JERSEY CITY—W2XCR, Jenkins Television corporation, 5000 watts, 2100-2200 kc. or 139 m. standard scanning*. 2 to 3 P. M., Eastern Standard Time Mon. Tuesday and Wednesday; 8 to 9 P. M., Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
LEXINGTON, Mass.—W1XAY, Lexington Air Station, 500 watts (construction permit granted for 5000 watts) 2000-2100 kc. or 145 m. standard scanning*. Daily, 3 to 3 P. M. and Friday, 7:30 to 8 P. M.
NEW YORK—W2XBS, Radio Corporation of America, 250 watts (approved for 5000 watts) 2000-2100 kc. or 145 m. 20 frames per second, 60 lines per frame, 72 elements wide, scanning from left to right and top to bottom. Announcement cards, views and living subjects. Daily, (including Sunday) 6 to 10 P. M., Eastern Standard Time.
PITTSBURGH—W8XAV, Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Co., 20,000 watts, 2000-2100 kc. or 145 m. 2100-2200 kc. or 139 m. and 2750-2850 kc. or 107 m. 20 frames per second, 60 lines per frame. Transmitting television programs, generally motion picture films, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 5:10 to 6:00 P. M., Eastern Standard Time.
SCHENECTADY—W2XCW, General Electric company, 20,000 watts, 2100-2200 kc. or 145 m. 24 lines, 20 frames per second. Sunday 11:15 to 11:45 P. M., Tuesday, 12 to 12:30 P. M., Wednesday and Friday, 1:30 to 2 P. M., Eastern Standard Time.
WASHINGTON—W3XK, C. Francis Jenkins, 250 watts (construction permit granted for 5000 watts) 2000-2100 kc. or 15 m. and 2850-2950 kc. or 103 m. standard scanning*. 8 to 9 P. M., Eastern Standard Time, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Radiomovies.
Irregular Schedule
BROOKLYN—W2XCL, Pilot Electric company, 250 watts, 2000-2100 kc. or 145 m. and 2750-2850 kc. or 107 m. Construction permit.
CHICAGO—W9XAG, Aeroproducts, Inc., 5000 watts, 2100-2200 kc. or 139 m. Construction permit.
CHICAGO—W9XR, Great Lakes Broadcasting company, 500 watts, 2850-2950 kc. or 103 m. 24 lines per frame, 18 frames per second, scanning from left to right and top to bottom. (Expect to begin operation about July 3.)
NEWARK—W2XBA, WAAM, Inc., 50 watts, 2750-2850 kc. or 107 m.
NEW YORK—W2XCP, Freed-Eisemann corporation, 2000 watts, 2000-2100 kc. or 145 m. and 2850-2950 kc. or 103 m.
OAKLAND, Calif.—W6XN, General Electric company, 10,000 watts, 2000-2100 kc. or 145 m.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass.—W1XAE, Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing company, 20,000 watts, 2000-2100 kc. or 145 m.
WINTER PARK, Fla.—W4XE, William Justis Lee, 2000 watts, 2000-2100 kc. or 145 m.
*Standard scanning refers to the standard adopted by the Radio Manufacturers association. This is 48 lines per second, with scanning consecutive from left to right and top to bottom as one reads the page of a book.
All the above stations have been licensed by the Federal Radio commission. A number of others who have previously been broadcasting still have their applications pending.

W6XN had been testing for several months and had its grand opening in August. The available story is unclear about whether visuals were broadcast.

We’ll skip the Jenkins litigation as we look at highlights in TV in July and August 1929. There isn’t much. The Federal Radio Commission was asked to grant some licenses. RCA wanted a second permit, solely for specific experiments which it outlined to reporters. In San Francisco, Philo Farnsworth conducted another demonstration of his system that eliminated swirling discs in studios and television sets. A short version of the W2AX story appeared in one paper on July 26. Both have the wrong call letters.

MONDAY, JULY 1, 1929
Television Signals from Plane Goal of Washington Inventor
WASHINGTON, July 1 (AP)—Panoramic views flashed by radio from a speeding airplane to a ground station many miles away is the television goal sought by C. Francis Jenkins, Washington inventor.
Army officers are awaiting with interest experiments soon to be made by Mr. Jenkins with his "aerial eye." If television apparatus can be perfected, as the veteran radio engineer hopes, to send pictures of front line warfare, movements of enemy troops and maps of the battle grounds from scouting planes to general headquarters it will be of great military value.
Jenkins has bought a special plane to be used as a "flying television laboratory" and has been piloting it in practice flights. He plans to be at the controls part of the time when the experiments are made. The "laboratory" is a monoplane of special design, seating four passengers and providing space for television apparatus.
A section of the floor of the cabin will be cut away to serve as a scanning apparatus for the aerial eye. Tests will be made as the plane flies over Washington, views of the ground below being transmitted by radio to Jenkins' new television station north of the city.
The new station is known as W3XK, the same call letters assigned to his old laboratory station in the city. A new 5000-watt transmitter has been installed and two 28-foot towers have been erected. The new station will broadcast a daily program of radio movies In silhouette.



WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 1929
TELEVISION WAVE SOUGHT
WASHINGTON, July 3.—Formal application has been filed with the Federal Radio commission by Station WSVW, Buffalo, operated by the Seneca Vocational school, for authority to construct an experimental television transmitter to be used on 2150 kilocycles with 500 watts power. If the application is granted, it will represent the first opportunity Buffalonians have had to avail themselves of one of the latest developments of the radio art.
According to statements made to the Radio commission by representatives of WSVS, it is the hope of that station eventually to be able to project not only moving pictures in the home, but also the voice and music accompaniment. (Buffalo News)

SATURDAY, JULY 6, 1929
TELEVISION MOVIES NOW BEING MADE
NEW YORK,--A series of short motion pictures, which are being carried to radio fans by television, now is being produced by Visugraphic Pictures, Inc.
These pictures are being broadcast from station W2XCR, Jersey City, owned and operated by the Jenkins Television Corporation, and may be “tuned in” by radio listeners who have receiving sets equipped for television purposes.
Of Widespread Interest
It is interesting to note that the publicity department of Visugraphic received more than 150 newspaper clippings from every part of the United States and Canada bearing on the new television pictures. This indicates the tremendous news value in the science of broadcasting “movies” by television.
From the commercial advertising point of view, the televisual “movies” offers an unexcelled opportunity to manufacturers to popularize a product in a unique and interest-compelling way. (Calgary Herald)

SUNDAY, JULY 7, 1929
Compact Drum Scanner Advances Home Television
The latest television receiver for home use has just been demonstrated at the Jenkins television laboratories and is regarded as one of the simplest and most practical forms of receivers yet proposed. It is a development of the original “drum” type receiver invented by C. Francis Jenkins, a pioneer worker in this field and also in motion pictures.
The new televisor replaces the usual awkward scanning disc, measuring a yard in diameter, with the compact and highly efficient scanning drum. The complete televisor is incorporated in a walnut cabinet measuring approximately 18x18x24 inches, as shown in the illustration. The front end of the cabinet contains a recessed opening or shadow box leading to the large magnifying lens through which the radio-movies are viewed, together with three switches and a “framing” crank. The operation of the Jenkins televisor is simplicity itself. The first switch snaps on a neon glow lamp. A short wave radio set, employed in conjunction with the televisor, is tuned in the usual manner, until the characteristic note of the television signal is at maximum in the loud speaker. The second switch turns on the motor and also serves as a simple method of bringing the scanning drum in step with the picture. The crank is turned so as to frame the picture properly from left to right.
The interior mechanism of the televisor is compact, simple and rugged. The earlier laboratory set-up has been reduced to commercial production equipment for home use. The synchronous motor and scanning drum are mounted vertically and supported by a stanch angle-iron framework.
A special form of distributor serves to flash the four neon lamp plates in succession, illuminating the four quartets of the scanning drum in four successive revolutions. The operation is exceedingly quiet. The framing crank serves to turn the motor and its scanning drum slightly, so as to bring the picture into step with the scanned image. The scanning drum holes are viewed through the magnifying lens, giving an apparent screen size of about six inches square, or sufficient for the simultaneous entertainment of six to eight persons.
As for the nature of the entertainment, only the simplest subjects are being broadcast at this time. Instead of attempting very crude half-tone pictures the engineers are endeavoring to transmit and receive silhouette or black-and-white movies with a fair degree of accuracy. The demonstration of a thrilling boxing contest in silhouette form can be readily followed on the televisor screen and if anything, is so unique as to be perhaps more fascinating than if it were shown to the usual full tone. Titles are included in the television pictures. (New York Herald Tribune)



WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 1929
Bound Brook Likely to be Site Of Television Plant for RCA
Two developments in radio in the metropolitan area are awaiting decisions by the Federal Radio Commission, according to a representative of the Radio Corporation of America. An application has been filed for an experimental television station license for a transmitter to be located at Bound Brook, N. J., where Station WJZ’s transmitting plant is located. The application requests that the thirty kilowatt image broadcaster be permitted to operate on the frequency band of 2,850-2,950 kilocycles, equivalent to 105 to 101 meters.
No definite information relative to the plans of this television outfit will be released, according to the RCA representative, until the license is issued. He declined to say whether this television plant would supplant the one now in operation at 411 Fifth avenue, or whether its entry into the ether lanes would mark the beginning of regular television service for the home. (New York Times)

SUNDAY, JULY 14, 1929
Movies in Home by Radio Object of New Invention
WASHINGTON, July 14.—(Universal News Service)—A 23-year California inventor, E. L. Peterson of Los Angeles, has obtained patent rights on a new and revolutionary new television principal, it was revealed here today.
The Peterson invention solves the present great problem of synchronization between the sender and the receiver of visional broadcasting, according to the inventor and his attorney, Judge Jerome Lyman Richardson of Riverside, Cal., who claimed it will make radio-movies as available as the present vocal radio.
Judge Richardson went to New York today to confer with bidders for the patent rights and for production of the set. He declined to discuss technical details of the new invention, but said:
“It embodies a new and simplified principle, which entirely masters the question of synchronization between the broadcasting and receiving points, heretofore the great problem of televison. All synchronization obstacles of the past have been eliminated and the Peterson invention will make it possible for the average person to sit down in his home, turn a dial and receive the picture broadcast with the aid of no more technical knowledge than is necessary for the operation of the radio.”
The invention is known as ray-o-vision and a corporation has been formed under the laws of California to handle it. Peterson his attorney plan to leave shortly for Europe with a view to interesting foreign operators. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 15)

MONDAY, JULY 15, 1929
WOKO BROADCASTING TELEVISION PROGRAMS
Visual broadcasting, known popularly as television, is now part of the daily radio program of Station WOKO, located on the top of Mount Beacon, near Poughkeepsie, N. Y., according to the Hudson Valley Broadcasting Company, its operators. The images are sent out each after between 2 and 3 o’clock, Easter Daylight Time, on a wavelength of about 145 eters. The call letters are W-2XBU. Subjects used for the visual programs at present are persons, placards, letters and small objects. While images transmitters are said to be “not perfect,” it is expected that experiments will find their reception an interesting diversion and an aid in carrying on television work with home-made receiving equipment.
The apparatus required to intercept the visual programs is a shortwave receiving set equipped with resistance-type audio amplifier, scanning disk, driving motor and neon tube. (New York Times)

WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1929
TO TEST TELEVISION OUTSIDE OF CITIES A thorough study of the possibility of reliable television service for large suburban and rural areas will be made at Bound Brook, N. J., if the Federal Radio Commission grants an application now before it for a 30-kilowatt image transmitter, according to Dr. A. N. Goldsmith, chief broadcasting engineer of the Radio Corporation of America, who will direct the tests. The wave length proposed is 101 to 105 meters, or 2,950-2,850 kilocycles. It is expected that a comparatively short time will be required to prepare for the tests.
“Our plan,” said Dr. Goldsmith, “is to determine the limitations of visual broadcasts outside of cities just as we are now studying such problems within cities. We hope to ascertain the general transmission characteristics of rural television, how such signals will be affected by static and fading, and the power required for coverage of definite areas.
“Television signals have a less useful range than that obtained with a transmitter sending out audible programs. The short wave lengths assigned for television work are more highly absorbed between the transmitter and the receiver. The zone of fading on short waves is nearer the sending station, say within 100 to 150 miles. Television also requires very critical and difficult methods of transmission and reception, therefore we need unusually perfect signals for high quality service. All these characteristics and limitations are to be carefully studied, so the tests will be entirely experimental, leading later perhaps to a study of television over greater distances.
Dr. Goldsmith said the 30-kilowatt image broadcaster probably would give adequate image service in an area of 500 to 1,000 square miles. (New York Times)

MONDAY, JULY 22, 1929
TELEVISION BROADCASTING IS INAUGURATED ON NIGHTLY WASHINGTON PROGRAMS
By KENNETH G. CRAWFORD
(United Press Staff Correspondent.)
WASHINGTON, July 22.—(UP)—Picture broadcasting was placed on a permanent nightly basis for the first time here tonight with the formal opening of a new studio by C. Francis Jenkins, pioneer in the development of television and president of the Jenkins Television company.
For more than a year the inventor has been broadcasting tri-weekly programs from a 50-watt station in his downtown studio and has gained an audience estimated at 20,000, most of its members amateur radio operators.
To serve this audience better and recruit new members, Jenkins established his new station in a converted farm house five miles north of the District of Columbia line. He was recently granted permission by the Federal Radio Commission to operate a station on a wave length of 2,900 kilocycles.
With this more powerful station, he hopes to send pictures regularly as far west as the Pacific coast and as far south as Porto Rico. Even from his old station a few amateurs were able to pick up his programs occasionally from those distances.
Opens New Studio.
Jenkins announced with the opening of the new studio that he will attempt to broadcast views of the national capital radioed from his airplane to the ground station. This will be done with the "aerial eye," on which the inventor has been experimenting almost every day for several years.
The inventor pilots his own plane. His first machine was damaged recently in a forced landing and he is now equipping a new one for the forthcoming tests of the panorama broadcasting device. The mechanical "eye" of the equipment will peer through a hole in the bottom of the ship.
The views it picks up will be sent to the new broadcasting station and retransmitted to the television audience. In order to reach remote receiving stations two 130-foot antenna towers have been erected near the country studio.
The opening program of the new station was a one-hour motion picture which Jenkins prefaced with a brief talk. Later he will broadcast scenes enacted by living images, but the room from which this is to be done is not yet completely equipped.
Jenkins has found that television fans prefer to see living objects rather than motion pictures. The change in power and frequency in the new station has made it necessary for members of Jenkins’ audience to reconstruct their sets somewhat. Most of the amateurs who receive television programs have assembled their own sets from parts made at home, or supplied by the Jenkins Company, the inventor said.
The same equipment required to pick up sound waves is used to receive television waves, but this must be supplements with the picture projection device.
The picture as it comes in is about six inches square and shows on an illuminated screen in black and white.
"We know how to broadcast colors," Jenkins said, "but it isn't practical because it would require too many wave lengths. We would ruin the air for everyone else by attempting it."
Jenkins will not use all the power granted by the radio commission in his initial programs, but plans to utilize it all eventually.

SATURSDAY, JULY 27, 1929
Seeks Television License.
WASHINGTON, July 27. (AP)—The Great Lakes Broadcasting Co. of Chicago has applied to the Federal Radio Commission for a new radio station license for a television transmitter.

MONDAY, JULY 29, 1929
Entire Show Is Broadcast By Television
Washington, D. C., July 31.—Television has turned the corner, according to eminent radio authorities after the encouraging results from the Jenkins television broadcast over station W2AX were made known recently.
For the first time in history, a complete picture story was televised. This "television drama" was on the air one hour. Reports of its satisfactory reception were received from points as far west as Chicago, and as far north as Lexington, Mass. Station attendants expect several days to elapse before all reports are received.
The program was the first of a series to be sent out regularly from 8 to 9 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, over the new power transmitter recently installed about five miles north of Washington, D. C. The series was inaugurated in the presence of radio commission officials.
Dr. Jenkins shared the enthusiasm of friends, radio engineers and television fans who witnessed or took part in this epoch-making event. From now on the public will take a keen interest in these broadcasts, and a big impetus will be given to the further development of television which will usher in a new era of opportunity for radio men and the general public. (Tampa Times)

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 1929
'Talkies' in Home Promise of New Television Device
Philo T. Farnsworth, inventor of a new television device, which he claims will soon permit owner of radio sets to receive motion "talkie" pictures in their homes, demonstrated his invention last night. A group of scientists witnessed the tests.
Photographs, the silhouettes of moving fingers and the curling upwards cigarette smoke were transmitted in his Green street laboratories, from one room to a receiving set in another, and were visible on a screen.
New Method Used
The scientists who witnessed the exhibition were members of the Board of Directors of the California Research Group of Science of Vision—Prof. R. S. Minor, University of California; Dr. T. A. Brombach, Dr. Van Simonton, Dr. J. R. Morris, Dr. Leland Carter and Al Reinke, lecturer at the University of California.
Professor Minor declared that the demonstration was "most interesting.” He said he was particularly impressed with the new method of “scanning”. The Farnsworth device does not use a "scanning wheel" or scanning disk, as is used in other television system. The picture is "torn down” at the transmitting end and "built up" at the receiving end by electricity.
Farnsworth stated that with his device families possessing radio sets will reasonably soon be able to hear and see in their living rooms musical comedies as they are being acted and sung in some distant city, that they will be able to watch some spectacular play occurring in a football stadium, hear the impact of men's bodies as they buck the line, see the fumbles and the passes and the roaring approval of the stadium crowds.
He promises that pictures of events taken in the sunlight will soon be transmitted clearly by his system.
The astonishing new instrument invented by Farnsworth is not a bulky affair. In a cabinet of ordinary size, it resembles the average home radio receiving set. Instead of a loud speaker there is an attachment on top of the cabinet with a round orifice for the "vision field."
He says that the experiments so far made have convinced him and his associates that the device can be placed in a still smaller cabinet and that plans are under way to put it into practical use on a large scale. (San Francisco Examiner)



TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 1929
KGO’s program tonight will be a memorable event; impressive from the number of dignitaries to be presented, absorbing from a dra¬matic and musical standpoint and spectacular for those who will witness the broadcast which will originate in the San Francisco Civic auditorium in conjunction with the Sixth Annual Pacific Radio show. KGO will be on the air from 7 to 11 o’clock.
For its night at the radio show KGO has delayed the opening of its 40,000-watt short wave station W6XN. State and civic officials have been invited to participate in this opening which will feature artists of many foreign countries wearing native costumes. This program will be rebroadcast by the New York stations of the General Electric and it is expected that a score of foreign stations also will relay the W6XN transmission.
Preceding the W6XN inaugura¬tion there will be half-hour program by the Rembrandt Trio. the Melodettes, and the Olympians. At 8:30 those celebrated musical no¬mads, the Pilgrims, who have been traversing the ether lanes for nearly four years, will make their appearance, with August Hinrichs directing. Vocal numbers will be sung by Eva Gruninger Atkinson, contralto, Grace LePage, soprano, and the Olympians. (Santa Ana Daily Register)

THURSDAY, AUGUST 22, 1929
RCA STATION AT BOUND BROOK ASKS LICENSE RENEWAL
WASHINGTON, Aug. 22.—The Radio Corporation of America applied for a renewal of the television license for the portable station serving New York and New Jersey at Bound Brook, N. J. The call letters are W2XBV. Broadcasting station WJZ is located at Bound Brook. (Home News, New Brunswick, N.J.)

SUNDAY, AUGUST 25, 1929
Chicago Station Give Television License
A television broadcasting license has been granted to WENR. The Chicago station has been allocated the visual broadcasting channel ranging from 2,850 to 2.950 kilocycles by the radio commission for television transmission on regular schedule with 5,000 watts power. There are now approximately a dozen stations licensed to broadcast television but all are on an experimental basis. (Chicago Triune

TELEVISION SETS NOW BEING MADE BY JENKINS CORPORATION
With the recent development of a novel combination scanning drum and selector shutter disk by its engineering staff, resulting in a simpler, more economical, and far more practical scanning system, the Jenkins Television Corporation of Jersey City, N. J., now announces the mass production of television apparatus.
“Although we have been in production on experimental television equipment for six months past,” states James W. Garside, President of the Jenkins Television Corporation, “we have withheld mass production of market models until we could be positive of our grounds. Our earlier models were too elaborate and costly for use in the average home, while the results left much to be desired. Therefore, our production until now consisted of sample televisors for use in checking up the efficiency of our television transmitters at Jersey City and Washington, under typical receiving conditions.
48-Line Reception.
“With out [our] latest development, we have evolved a remarkably simple, inexpensive, and highly practical televisor, which can be readily manufactured at a reasonable cost. The new Jenkins televisor will permit of receiving either plain black and-pink radio movies or full half tone pictures, with good detail and illumination within the limitations of our present 48-line system. Should we find it advisable to go to 60 or more lines, based on our present experiments and developments, the Jenkins televisors can be readily changed over to accommodate additional lines and finer detail.
“All in all, I am satisfied we now have a practical televisor with which we can inaugurate everyday television,” concludes Mr. Garside. (Brooklyn Daily Eagle)

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 1929
Motion Picture Are Broadcast
Distinct Progress Being Made in Television Studios at Pittsburgh
[By ROBERT D. HEINL]
Distinctive progress is being made in the broadcasting of motion pictures at the Westinghouse plant at Pittsburgh. Motion and still pictures are being sent daily from the television studio in Homestead works, thence by wire four miles to the KDKA transmitting station and broadcast from there to the Farm, as the short wave receiving station is known about six miles northeast.
Ordinary moving picture films are used and such subjects being shown a Krazy Kat and Pathe current news events. It was explained that motion pictures were chosen because they are more difficult to than actual objects. However, at the Homestead television studios, scanning devices are also available for the broadcasting of living subjects. A television studio is indeed a curious looking place and with its bright lights not unlike a moving picture studio.
Formerly because of the makeshift apparatus, an observer was constantly reminded of the experimental nature of television, but there is little of this in evidence at Pittsburg. The transmitting apparatus is of a substantial character and finished in appearance. The reels whirl in the same businesslike way as for a regular motion picture and with countless operators the scene presented in the television studio is similar to one so frequently seen in the projection booth of an ordinary movie theater.
Looks Like Going Concern
Likewise there is the air of a going concern at the receiving end. Not a lot of loose junk wired together but the apparatus compactly assembled on a table and resembling a camera outfit about the size a professional photographer uses. Also a thing one rarely sees in an experimental laboratory—the floor was neatly swept. Viewing a television picture recalls vividly the way we used to look at old time motion pictures in a kinetoscope, excepting that here in a darkened room sees the picture by peering into a long cylinder sometimes standing as far as five feet back to get the right focus.
The moving pictures being broadcast at Pittsburgh are as yet small, about three by four inches in size but larger than the Bell telephone pictures being sent over wires in color which are only as big as a postage stamp. In both the Westinghouse and the Bell demonstrations, however, the details of the pictures are surprisingly sharp and distinct.
“If we make as much improvement in the next six months in broadcasting motion pictures as we have in the past six,” a Westinghouse official remarked, “we will really be able to report progress. As soon as we get one thing lacked we go after the next.”
Let not the reader gather from this that any definite time has been set when the last thing will be “licked” or when we may expect to receive regular television broadcasts into our homes. It may be just around the corner and again it may be years. At the moment research is being carried on along two lines. The first is perfecting quality of the transmitted picture and the second is the effort being made by radio manufacturers to design a receiver or an attachment to go on radio sets, capable of receiving broadcast pictures and selling at a price within reach of the general public. Quite tantalizing at Westinghouse is a peep at the new 100,000 watt tubes, said to be the world’s largest, which are in the making for the new KDKA and KYW stations, without being permitted to go into details regarding their construction or possibilities. They look to be about eight feet in length and are the first to have water-colored grids. So intricate is the process of manufacture that, though a new tube is started every week, the net result is only about two completed tubes a month. So it may be some time before the required six are completed for the new KYW station at Chicago and 12 for the new KDKA station near Pittsburgh. Although the Westinghouse people are as silent as clams regarding these great new tubes, it is believed when the facts are known about them they may prove a sensation in the radio world. Rumor hath it that instead of 100,000 watts, tests have shown that they are capable of 150,000 watts power (Tulsa World)

June 1929

26 television licenses had been handed out in the U.S. by mid-1929. That doesn’t mean 26 stations were on the air.

In fact, there was one station broadcasting television signals that wasn’t on the list of 26.
One was W7NK, a ham station licensed to Francis J. Brott, the head engineer at KOMO radio in Seattle. KOMO got its own TV station, but it wasn’t until 1953.

Another was General Electric’s station in Oakland, W6XN. It had been on the government list at the start of 1929 as a “special” station but vanished in a directory published at the end of June. Radio News for June 1929 said the station was broadcasting at 23.346 metres, 5,000 watts from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pacific Time on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. That doesn’t mean it was showing pictures; the station was a rebroadcaster of KGO. G.E. applied on August 16th for a license renewal for eight frequencies at 10,000 watts, granted by October 12th.

There were some new developments in technology. Bell demonstrated a colour transmission system, U.S. Radio and Television showed off a transmission by light, while Frank Jenkins came up with a drum to replace the spinning discs inside a television set.

CBS and Paramount joined forces, with radio network president Bill Paley speculating this meant Paramount movie stars could show up on CBS television shows. It didn’t quite happen, and the corporate marriage came apart during the Depression. As for NBC, it expanded its television hours, but was still doing little more than showing call-letter cards or a figure of Felix the Cat whirling around on a turntable (if, indeed, they were using Felix that early).

Mention is made of a possible TV studio in the New Amsterdam Theatre. It finally came about in 1949 when WOR-TV set up a studio there.

Below are the highlights from June, 1929. We’ve tried to find programming information, but it’s very scarce.

MONDAY, JUNE 3, 1929
SHOW TELEVISION PLAN OF WORKING TO SEATTLE FOLK
SEATTLE, June 3. (AP)—Elementary and crude as it was, both in transmission and reception, television, newest wonder in radio science, had its inception here tonight.
Hugo Barden, radio mechanic employed by the Stewart-Warner company; Robert Flagler, technician at KOMO, and Kenneth G. Grayson of a local newspaper, reported reception of the moving pictures transmission over W7NK, the station installed by F. J. Brott at his home.
After detailed instructions in the workings of the television, Brott switched on his motors and proceeded to flash through the ether a series of sketches, letters, numbers and sample figures such as a heart, a diamond and a question mark.

TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 1929
Television, a crowd collector of the 1928 [Chicago Radio] trade show is all but absent this year. Interest in the subject has faded both in commercial and listener circles, apparently because no practical application is yet in sight.
Indeed whether radio television will ever be practicable still is a moot point, with some observers pointing out that requirements of a wide air channel bars it from the broadcasting wave band, and that uncertainties of short waves present another difficulty.
On the other hand A. J. Carter of the Carter Radio Co., a director of the Radio Manufacturers' Association, maintains there has been considerable advance in radiovision practicality, and that only the Federal Radio Commission's frequent changes of mind as to assignment of channels has delayed the marketing of receiving apparatus.
With television activity in the east subsiding, except in Jenkins Laboratories, Chicago radio circles are taking it up. WMAQ, WIBO and WENR are working on short-wave transmitters which will be devoted partly to television experiments. There seems to be no possibility of a commercial television receiver for the ensuing year at least. (George R. Madtes, Youngstown Vindicator)

SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 1929
Station W2XCL, located at 323 Berry st., Brooklyn, which has been operating since March 27 under a construction permit issued by the Federal Radio Commission, has now been licensed by the commission as an experimental visual broadcasting station to transmit in the 2,000-2,100 kilocycle channel (149.2-150 meters), it was announced yesterday [8] by James L. Benjamin, treasurer of the Pilot Radio and Tube Corporation, owners of the installation.
Television broadcasting will begin soon from W2XCL, Mr. Benjamin stated. A new system of disc scanning and a very simple method of maintaining synchronization will be used, so that experimenters will be able to reproduce the broadcast images with little trouble and little expense. The Pilot company expects to sell the parts for a complete television receiver in knockdown form, for home assembly by the amateur constructor. (Brooklyn Daily Eagle, June 9)

SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 1929
REPORTS 20,000 AS ‘LOOKING’ IN ON TELEVISION
Lookers in Are Scattered All Over United States to Pacific Coast
According to conservative estimate there are over 20,000 "lookers-in" tuned to the experimental programs broadcast by the Jenkins W3XK station at Washington, D.C. These "lookers-in" are scattered over the entire United States, some reporting regular reception of images as far as the Pacific Coast. For the most part, the apparatus employed by these television enthusiasts is entirely homemade.
Just what do these "lookers-in" get with their present home-made television receivers? Why do they indulge in this work? These questions are answered by G. E. Foreman, 621 Fourteenth Street W. E., Washington, D. C.
PICTURES WELL DEFINED
"Of course the pictures are not perfect, but they are well defined and easily recognizable, and absolute perfection at this stage of the art means little to me. The fact is that the apparatus is just as it was on the night of January 21st, when the first movies were received.
"Since then, my room has been filled with spectators each evening that the pictures were on, and I have been besieged with requests to view the movies. Due to this popularity, it has been impossible to make very, necessary changes in the set and televisor, which would greatly improve the reception.
"The interest in practical television, even to the experienced radio enthusiast, is surprising.
OLD-TIMERS ENJOY IT.
"Persons old in the radio art, and amateurs with coast-to-coast reception of audible radio to their credit, have sat before my set and gazed in wonder at the tiny image, and have laughed heartily at the antics of Sambo as he chases his dinner.
"Concerning the more serious side of television, I believe experimenters are fortunate to have a station like W3XK from which to receive. The modulation is perfect, the voice of the announcer being clear and distinct, and the television note exceedingly clear and crisp. The reception is so loud that a minimum of regeneration is. all that is necessary, which clears up the picture tremendously." (Hilo Tribune Herald)

FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 1929
PARAMOUNT BUYS HALF INTEREST IN BROADCAST CHAIN
Screen Stars to Be Put on Air, Eventually by Television
ST. LOUIS, Mo., June 14 (U.P.)—Paramount-Famous-Lasky corporation has obtained a one-half interest in the Columbia broadcasting system, Adolph Zukor, president of the film company, announced tonight.
Fifty-three radio stations in the Columbia chain are involved in the deal.
“The arrangement,” said Zukor, "concludes a definite working agreement which will give the public every feature or entertainment.
“Scientific developments have introduced the voice to the motion picture screem,” Zukor said, “and there is every prospect that similar developments shortly will introduce vision into radio.
Air entertainment by the Paramount personnel, which includes presentations on the stage by Public Theaters corporation, will combine with talent already internationally famous, through screen and stage appearances, Zukor added. Paramount’s screen celebrities include Clara Bow, George Bancroft, Gary Cooper and Charles Rogers, who will be joined by Hal Skelly, Mary Eaton and Maurice Chevalier in radio appearances.

SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 1929
TELEVISION WILL CAUSE NEXT MOVIE REVOLUTION
W. S. Paley of Columbia Broadcasting System Pictures Results in Theater and Home.
The perfection of television in broadcasting moving pictures with sound into the home as well as the theater will find the Paramount Famous Lasky Corporation and the Columbia Broadcasting System prepared for this foreseen revolution in the two industries, William S. Paley, president of the Columbia system said in addressing the annual Paramount convention which opened yesterday [15] at the Coronado Hotel. Announcement that Paramount had acquired half-interest in Columbia was made yesterday morning by Paley and Adolph Zukor, president of the Paramount company.
"We hear a lot about television, but not many people know a great deal about it," Paley said. "One thing is certain, however. It is coming. Whether it will be in two years or five, it is sure to come. With our amalgamation of interests, we are prepared. Columbia can lean on Paramount for the new problems entailing actual stage presentations for broadcasting. And Paramount has an outlet in presenting television to the public.
"It is hard to tell just how television will be handled. Whether it will be confined solely to home or whether entertainment houses will also show it on the screen is still problematical.
Television and News Reel.
“It looks as though, because of the size of the theater screen and because of the attractiveness of well-rounded programs presented in the theater, television will somehow fit into the scheme of things there.
"Our imagination can run wild if we think of television in the field of the news reel and imagine seeing flashed on the screen with sound a news event of major importance as it is actually taking place." (St Louis Post-Dispatch, June 16)

A new radio fad, radio television parties, is making a strong bid for popularity in Seattle, according to H. M. Thiel, of the Thiel Hardware Company. Television broadcasting is on the air every night from station W7NK and Hug Barden, engineer for Stewart-Warner last Saturday [15] played informal host for twenty guests at an experimental program. The various objects projected on the screen were plainly discernable and in one picture where a pencil was used to trace the objects the movements of the pencil could be plainly seen. (Bellingham Herald, June 22)

MANY SEND TELEVISION.
THREE OF TWENTY-SIX STATIONS ARE IN CHICAGO.
NEW YORK, June 15. (AP)—Twenty-six stations have been licensed by the federal radio commission to broadcast radiovision on an experimental basis, a recent compilation shows.
All but one are assigned to the short wave band, where they have channels 100 kilocycles wide. The lone station transmitting in the broadcast area is WRNY, New York, which is permitted to send pictures from 1 to 6 a. m.
Power used by the various stations ranges from fifty watts for W2XBA at Newark, N. J., to 30,000 watts for W3XL, Bound Brook, N. J. The majority are operating in the vicinity of 150 or 110 meters. A few have been assigned to the territory stretching from sixty to sixty-seven meters.
Three of the short wave stations are in the first radio district, eleven in the second district, two in the third, one in the fourth, two in the sixth, one in the seventh, one in the eighth and four ninth. The broadcast channel station is in the second district.
The transmitters:
W1XAE—Springfield, Mass.
W1XAY—Lexington, Mass.
W1XB—Somerville, Mass.
W2XBA—Newark, N. J.
W2XBS—New York (portable).
W2XBU—Beacon, N. Y.
W2XBV—New York (portable).
W2XBW—Bound Brook (portable).
W2XCL—Brooklyn, N. Y.
W2XCO—New York.
W2XCR—Jersey City, N. J.
W2XCW—Schenectady.
W2XR—New York.
W2XX—Ossining, N. Y.
W3XK—Washington, D. C.
W3XL—Bound Brook, N. J.
W4XE—Winter Park, Fla.
W6XAM—Los Angeles.
W6XC—Los Angeles.
W7XAO—Portland. Ore.
W8XAV—East Pittsburgh.
W9XAA—Chicago.
W9XAG—Chicago.
W9XAO—Chicago.
W9XAZ—Iowa City, Ia.
WRNY—New York.

TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 1929
Now that “Glorifying the American Girl” is completed, the elaborate sets are being torn down from their frames at the Paramount Astoria studios, and Director Millard Webb is coastward bound already, to take up the megaphoning for another company—First National. Under a new agreement, Webb will direct Billie Dove in an all-talkie, “Give This Girl a Hand,” adapted from a story by Fannie Hurst. This is the first movie for which television rights have been purchased by the author, besides dialogue rights. (Irene Thirer, Daily News)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 1929
Theatre Includes Radio Television and Movies
NEW YORK, June 19.—(AP)—A roof top theatre such as Jules Verne might have imagined equipped for radio broadcasting and for the showing and recording of sound color and three dimensional motion pictures is being constructed above the new Amsterdam playhouse at 42nd street and Broadway, A. L. Erlanger, theatre owner, announced today.
A sound proof glass curtain which may be lowered in front of the stage will enable the broadcasting of any sort of performance from a tap dance to a grand opera without intrusion of sounds from the auditorium, Mr. Erlanger said, while the audience looks on through the glass and listens through amplifiers.
It will be possible at the same time, he declared, for motion picture cameras and microphones to record the performance and when television is perfected for the scenes on the stage to be broadcast visually. Heating and cooling apparatus will regulate temperatures to control acoustics.
The new playhouse, to be called the Aerial theatre, is to be finished in September. It will occupy the upper floor of the new Amsterdam building recently vacated by Ziegfeld's midnight frolics.

FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 1929
The [Federal Radio] commission has...granted an experimental television license to radio station W A A M, Inc., of Newark, N. J. The company plans to operate with 500 watts in the 2750-2850 band. (Daily Herald, Passaic)

SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 1929
BEGINS TELEVISION SIGNAL BROADCAST FROM JERSEY CITY
Jenkins Corporation Says Signals Picked Up With Ample Power at Distance
The Jenkins Television Corporation announces the completion of its powerful television broadcasting transmitter which will serve the New York metropolitan area as well as a large section of the country. Experimental programs are being broadcast on 140 meters, and reports from near and far indicate that the television signals are being picked up with ample power.
The Jenkins Jersey City transmitter, W2XCR, is a 5-kilowatt, crystal-controlled outfit fed by the Jenkins film pick-up for the transmission of radio movies. Later, when the art warrants more elaborate transmission, direct pick-up from living subjects will be undertaken. The power supply for the transmitter consists of two generators, each producing the 2000-volt current for the plate supply, and two smaller generators supplying 24 volts and 250 volts for the filament circuits and grid bias requirements. The transmitter is installed in the annex on the root of the Jenkins plant, and comprises two large panels. Alongside is the operator’s table, with the usual receiver for listening in for S O S calls, together with the elaborate pick-up amplifiers. A microphone permits of making vocal announcements to the “lookers-In” when necessary. There is also a television monitor, so that the quality of the outgoing signals may be checked up.
A second Jenkins television transmitter is being rushed to completion in Montgomery County, Md., outside of Washington, D. C., with the call letters W3XK and a 5-kilowatt rating. This station will be on the air shortly, serving another large section of the country with television programs. (Brooklyn Daily Eagle, June 22)

SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 1929
California is considered rather remote from Ohio, at least in terms of miles; but by radio and through the medium of newspapers that state is apparently easily in touch with this section of the country, at least in the mind of Hugh Okeson, WHK operator.
For last week Hugh received a letter from Station KGO, Oakland, Cal., revealing the fact that an old buddy of his, Kenneth Sherman, former Clevelander and owner of amateur station W8ABR here, is in charge of experimental transmissions from W6XN short-wave station of KGO. Television broadcasts on regular schedule are occupying much of Sherman's time, he relates. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 1929
Ask Television Station In City
General Electric Wants Short Wave Sender Here
A short wave radio station for the purpose of experimenting with television may be erected in this city by the General Electric company, according to a dispatch from Washington yesterday [26].
The application of the company for permission to build the station will be heard by the Federal Radio commission soon after the resumption of hearings in September, it was announced.
Request was made for the frequencies of 2750 and 2250 kilocycles of the television band and power of 50 watts. Under the procedure followed by the commission, the construction permit is first granted and after the station is built a license to operate it is issued, if it is satisfactory to the commission.
The proposed location or other details concerning the station could not be learned yesterday. M. P. Rice, Schenectady, is the broadcast director for General Electric. Efforts to secure further details in that city were unavailing last night. (Atlantic City Press, June 27)

THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 1929
COLOR TELEVISION PROVES SUCCESS IN EXPERIMENTS CONDUCTED IN NEW YORK
NEW YORK, June 27. (AP)—Color television—another step of that infant of science— was demonstrated today at the Bell Telephone laboratories, which devised the apparatus for the American Telephone and Telegraph company.
The apparatus, except for the addition of special color mechanisms, was the same as that demonstrated three years ago in a wire and radio test between New York and Washington. The system is subject to use over long distance wire or radio circuits.
The difference between the color television apparatus and the regular television machine is merely the addition of three electric eyes, each transmitting a current corresponding to the amount of the natural color in the subject. Before the three electric eyes in one end of the auditorium, a young woman stood holding various objects such as a glass of water, a colored ball and a pineapple. The current was turned on. In the darkened receiving chamber at the other end of the wall her image, in the natural colors, was reproduced.
Three wires connected the machine picking up the image and the receiving apparatus, each carrying its own color-current. Bell experts said that where radio was the transmitting medium three wave lengths would be used.