Television made a significant and large leap forward in April 1939 with the start of regular service over NBC television.
Any claims that April 30, 1939 marked the start of television are pure fiction or NBC propaganda. It wasn’t even the start of regular television programming; W6XAO had been on the air in Los Angeles continuously beginning in late 1931.
But the corporate movers and shakers at RCA got in bed with organisers of the 1939 New York World’s Fair and were able to reap huge mounds of publicity for the revival of New York experimental station W2XBS.
We’ll have a story below about the big broadcast, but you can read about it in this post.
There was other television news that month. CBS was working to get its TV studios in place. Du Mont was putting sets in stores in the W2XBS viewing area, while applying to a license to construct a station. Philco, which had a license for W3XE, was spending its time on tour, showing off its broadcasting abilities. There were other closed-circuit broadcasts, such as one in Cincinnati, which did not get regular TV programming until 1947.
In Los Angeles, W6XAO was preparing to build improved facilities while KFI applied for a license; the station got on the air in 1948.
And the television station at the University of Iowa simulcasted with WSUI radio, generally twice a week for 15 minutes. What was broadcast is unclear.
Here is a selection of newspaper stories for the month. We have finished 1939 and will now go back to 1937.
Saturday, April 1, 1939
Television Perfect Sought For L.A.
WASHINGTON, April 1—(UP)—The May Department Stores Co. today after the Federal Communications Commission for authority of construct a television station at Los Angeles.
BURKE CROTTY, photo editor of NBC's press department, on April 1 is being transferred to the network's television production staff to become head of production on the mobile unit, with which NBC is experimenting with outside video pickups under all conditions of light and weather. (Broadcasting, April 1)
Sunday, April 2, 1939
Public Gets First Glimpse Of New Wonder On April 30
"Video Salon" To Be Mecca For Those Wishing To See Laboratory Prodigy In Action
By Robert Gray
WIRELESS was a big attraction at the St. Louis World’s Fair of 1904. Now, 35 years later, a promising offspring of Marconi’s scientific brainchild is to be a featured presentation of the New York World's Fair. Four weeks from today television makes its formal debut with opening of the Flushing meadows spectacle and all the mysteries of this new laboratory prodigy will be unfolded before public view. Large scale activities are planned for television at the Fair, with the focal point to be the special exhibit of Radio Corporation or America and the National Broadcasting Company. This is to be a Mecca for those seeking television knowledge.
From best accounts, this exhibit will be in a building shaped like a large radio tube laying on its side. There will be a "video salon," new name for a studio where pictures sent through the air can be seen on the screen of receiving sets. Too, there will be a television laboratory, typical radio living rooms of today and tomorrow, a "telemobile” which is a unit on wheels for remote picture pickups, a television camera, a model transmitter, and various types of receivers.
The "video salon" will be a place of lively interest, for there visitors will be shown television as it is re-produced in the home. A dozen or more models are to be arranged in semicircle rows and on the varied sized screens or mirrors of the varied sized sets may be when the programs being televised from the transmitter atop the Empire State Building. Included in the laboratory display will be the latest projection receiver, which can throw pictures on a screen measuring six by 10 feet.
NBC already has begun preparing the programs that the Fair visitors, and others in the New York area with television sets, are to see when the regular public service is launched April 30. Rehearsals began last week so that the NBC production staff will be familiar with the greatly changed television facilities in Radio City.
Pictures Reported 50 Per Cent Better
To incorporate improvements made during three years of experimental broadcasting, NBC has completely rebuilt its television equipment in Radio City and has made extensive alterations on the Empire State transmitters. Recent broadcasts reportedly are 50 per cent clearer than those of early televising.
Work on installation of the CBS transmitter atop the Chrysler Building also is nearing completion. It will cost more than a million dollars. Opening date for picture program has not been set by CBS, but engineers hope to have everything ready for a May debut. Then, Fair visitors doubtlessly will be able to visit a television exhibit shown by the Columbia Broadcasting System.
NBC’s plan is to provide 10 hours of picture programs daily when the regular schedule begins in four weeks. There will be presentations from the studios in Radio City sent over the Empire State transmitter, outside pickups made by the “tele-mobiles,” and motion picture films.
Despite protests from some quarters of the industry that television is not ready to leave the laboratories, television sets are to go on the market simultaneous with opening of the Fair. To be sure, they will prove useless to owners other than those living within the limited 50 miles-or-so range of the New York transmitters and they will be comparatively expensive. But they will be on the market, nevertheless.
One rather radical announcement in connection with television receivers was made in New York the other day by one George Wald, who says he has developed on attachment that will enable regular radio sets to pick up television programs. Giving no details, Mr. Wald said that he also has patents which will enable construction of television sets without the expensive iconoscope tube now being used. He promised a demonstration at an un-announced future date.
Engineers Believe Anything Possible
Engineers received the announcement with scepticism, but admitted that “nothing is impossible in television these days.” If Mr. Wald is not spoofing, his devices will eliminate expensive problems which now are weights around television's figurative neck.
Whether television will take as long as its forebear wireless to become of general use to the listening and looking public is a question which only time and the progress of engineers ran answer. But O. B. Hanson, NBC chief engineer, does believe that with opening of the New York Fair telecasting will be regularly under way and thereafter new devices must be perfectedl before they are tried out in actual service.
Thus, if you are going to visit the New York World's Fair, make it a point to visit the television exhibition for no scientific discovery is more symbolic of the “world of tomorrow," and that’s what the Fair is to represent. The television exhibit will give an idea of the medium of entertainment you will be using in your home 15 years or 10 years or maybe two or three years from now. (Memphis Commercial Appeal, Apr. 2)
Tuesday, April 4, 1939
W9XK, University of Iowa
7:15 to 7:30—Television program with radio station WSUI.
Wednesday, April 5, 1939
Roosevelt Slated For Television Role
President's picture To Be Transmitted When He Speaks At World's Fair
New York, April 5 (AP)—A President of the United States will be televised for the first time at the opening of the New York World's Fair, the National Broadcasting Company announced today. Transmission will take place on April 30 as President Roosevelt delivers the address at the fairgrounds which will start the exposition.
Coupled with the picture broadcast is the first program of the first regular television service by N. B. C. from its transmitter in the Empire State Building.
Signals will be relayed from the fair by mobile equipment to the down town transmitter and thence put on the air.
Friday, April 7, 1939
Television Is Not Ready, Zenith Informs Dealers
COMDR. Eugene F. McDonald Jr., president of Zenith Radio Corp., on April 7 addressed a notice to 60,000 radio dealers throughout the country in which he reiterated his view that television is not ready for the public since "even Government television standards are not yet established".
Comdr. McDonald asserted that Zenith's visual station, W9XZV in Chicago, is already operating daily as the only FCC licensed television outlet in the Chicago area. "Today Zenith's television receivers are loaned, not sold," he added. "Zenith is ready-but television is not.
Zenith believes it is unfair to the public and knows it is unfair to the dealers to ask them to finance the television industry's experiments. Radio dealers have been penalized and punished by premature television publicity starting last fall. Prospects were led to believe that television would cover the country overnight. Zenith will not break faith with its dealers. When Zenith believes television is ready for general use in the store and the home, Zenith will supply you with television receivers and not before."
Saturday, April 8
DuMont Plans to Build New Television Stations In New York, Washington
WIDENING of its proposed television activities was indicated by Allen D. DuMont Laboratories, Inc., Passaic, N. J., in applications with the FCC April 8 asking for new stations in Manhattan and Washington. At the same time, DuMont asked that its W2XVT at Passaic be authorized to add the 60,000-86,000 band and increase both its sight and sound power to 5,000 watts.
The applications ask for 1,000 watts on 60,000-86,000 kc. for a transmitter at 515 Madison Ave., New York, and for 1,000 watts on 42,000-56,000 and 60,000-86,000 kc. at 14th & F Streets in Washington. In addition an application was filed for a portable mobile television transmitter of 50 watts power, using the 60,000-86,000 and 156,000-162,000 kc. bands.
The DuMont organization, hitherto primarily engaged in the manufacture of cathode ray tubes, has the capital backing of Paramount Pictures. (Broadcasting, April 15)
Television Station Due in Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES, April 8.—(AP)—After nine years of experiments, a non-commercial television station will be erected on one of the highest hills overlooking Hollywood, Thomas S. Lee, president of the Don Lee broadcasting system, announced today.
The company has practically closed a deal for a 20-acre site on a 1700-foot hill on the Mack Sennett estate for the station. Television engineers recommended a high elevation for best results in reaching San Fernando, Los Angeles, Glendale and other Pacific Coast cities.
There are several hundred television receivers within a 30-mile radius of the present Don Lee station in downtown Los Angeles, which supplies programs six days a week.
The Lee cathode-ray unit W6XAO operates on an image cycle of 45 megacycles. It is the only television station operating west of Kansas City.
No commercial programs of any kind are used. Instead, there are plays, musical numbers and brief lectures and vaudeville acts.
Lee said Harry Lubcke, his director of television, has perfected in nine years several inventions which will be adapted for use in the new location.
Sunday, April 9
Merit of Television Devices to be Studied By U.S. Commission
Report of New York Trip May Decide Question of Equipment Sale
By WILLIAM J. WHEATLEY.
Development of television now has reached a point where the Federal Communications Commission has decided to take a hand to determine whether it is time for the general public to begin investments in expensive receiving apparatus.
A committee of the commission, composed of Commissioner T. A. M. Craven, chairman, and Commissioners Norman S. Case and Thad H. Brown will leave tomorrow night [10] to visit several experimental Laboratories in Philadelphia, New York and vicinity to examine the apparatus and confer with technicians and experts as to the results they have obtained. The report of this committee, which now has before it several applications for television stations proposing public programs, is expected to have far-reaching effect on the question of general presentation of television for public use. All television stations now are on an experimental license.
The pushing ahead of television with public demonstrations this year has led the commission to act, in order to prevent being caught between two fires. On the one hand are the manufacturers who have spent millions of dollars in experiments and are seizing an opportunity to capitalize on this expenditure, while on the other hand is the general public, which might be led into large expenditures for sets, only to have them junked within a few months because of the rapid changes which are now apparent.
Bar to Monopoly.
According to experts, there are many problems yet to be solved before television can be considered a public reality. One of the more serious is the absolute prevention of any one of the several systems attaining a monopoly. What is said to be little understood by the general public is that a television set, at the present stage of development, cannot be tuned from one station to another to get a charge of programs, as is done with the present sound sets. That is one of the matters which the committee is determined to look into this week.
It proposes to find out if any of the laboratories are working on a receiving device which can receive the pictures from all stations, regardless of the method of scanning the pictures.
Another problem before the committee is location of stations. Under the present stage of development, they must be 300 miles apart. Some method must be found for limiting their interference so the very small number of frequencies available can be distributed in as many as possible. There are only 16 channels now available, each channel being 6,000 kilocycles apart.
Projection May Improve.
The picture projection now, according to commission experts, compares favorably only with home movies of about 1926, but it is believed this will be subject to rapid improvement. That is the chief reason the commission is anxious to determine whether it is time now to permit the public to invest in the receivers without having full knowledge of what they are facing in losses.
On the other hand, experimenters who have spent much money in development of television to its present stage are anxious to get it before the public to stimulate investments.
The commission's action, of course, will rest on the recommendations to be made by the Television Committee, and it was indicated it may be necessary to an into public hearings to air all phases of the problem, possibly on a requirement that the experimenters be ordered to show definite reasons why television should be put on the regular license schedule in the near future. (Washington Star, Apr. 9)
Tuesday, April 11, 1939
W9XK, University of Iowa
7:15 to 7:30—Television program with radio station WSUI.
Thursday, April 13, 1939
W9XK, University of Iowa
7:15 to 7:30—Television program with radio station WSUI.
Friday, April 14, 1939
Sending Fingerprints By Radio Faces Test
Criminal identification by television will be tested next Tuesday night.Television Station W6XAO of the Don Lee Broadcasting System announced it would broadcast enlarged photostatic copies of fingerprints from its Seventh and Bixel Sts. transmitter to a receiver at the Royal Palms Hotel where a group of police identification experts will view the results. (Hollywood Citizen-News)
Saturday, April 15, 1939
THAT Kansas State College of Agriculture & Science, Manhattan, Kan., pioneer television experimenter, intends to abandon the lower shortwave visual band and turn to the ultra-high frequencies, was indicated in an application filed with the FCC to change its W9XAK from 2000-2100 kc. to 42000-56000 kc. and reduce power from 125 to 100 watts. The only other licensees of the 2000-2100 band are W9XK of the University of Iowa, which also operates on the ultra-highs, and W9XG of Purdue U. (Broadcasting, April 15)
Philco Video Tour
PHILCO'S mobile television unit, first demonstrated in Miami, New York and Washington [BROADCASTING, March 15, April 1] is now on tour in what Philco Radio & Television Corp., Philadelphia, describes as its "television caravan." The itinerary included Baltimore, Boston, Pittsburgh and Cleveland in latter March and early April, and is scheduled for Detroit, April 18-21; Chicago, April 25-28; Milwaukee, May 2; Minneapolis, May 5; St. Louis, May 9. Demonstrations are given in collaboration with local distributors under the direction of Albert F. Murray, Philco chief television engineer, assisted by Charles Stec, Norman Young and R. J. Bowley. (Broadcasting, April 15)
Sunday, April 16, 1939
REHEARSAL FOR TELEVISION
Times Writer Gains Entrance Into NBC Television Studio During Rehearsal
By WILL BALTIN
—Telecaster—
Crashing the gates of the NBC television studio was next to impossible a few months ago. Even today the casual visitor to Radio City hasn't a chance in a million of gaining entrance into the small studio on the third floor of the RCA building. Radio City, where the production staff of NBC is busy at work preparing a schedule of telecasts to be sprayed from the RCA transmitter in the Empire State building to television set owners in the New York-New Jersey area, beginning two weeks from today. It was, therefore, a pleasant surprise when Thomas H. Hutchinson, capable young production chief of the NBC television department, permitted the writer to make a brief visit to the studios a few days ago. The television studio, like its motion picture counterpart, is pammed [sic] to the hilt with flood lights, cameras, scenery, props, microphones, equipment for technicians and an abundance of other items that are essential for proper transmission.
The bright lights are not blinding, but they do send off sufficient heat to make one uncomfortable.
Our stay in the studio itself was short, for the hustle and bustle of activity in preparation for a program rehearsal was in full swing and standing room was at a premium.
Ushered into a small control room, we were confronted with one of the experimental RCA television receivers with a screen about 7 by 10 inches in size. Hutchinson explained that he views all rehearsals on the television receiver so that he may judge the results as they would appear in the home. Seated with us in the control room was a representative of the RKO organization, NBC television technicians and other staff members.
With the start of the program the room was darkened to permit better vision. Familiar NBC chimes marked the start of the transmission.
The rehearsal for the day concerned itself with the presentation of an O. Henry story, "The Trimmed Lamp," adapted for television by Thomas Sellers. Titles for the production were flashed on the receiver screen much in the manner of a motion picture. Reception was exceptionally clear — better than home movies.
The story concerned itself with two young girls, one money struck and the other aching for happiness in life. How they achieve their objectives and the joys and sorrows that ensue make for diverting television fare.
The actresses and actors participating were "new faces," not having gained fame either as screen or stage performers. Yet, they played their respective roles with such sympathetic understanding, that it would not be difficult for them to achieve stardom in television when the field becomes a commercial rather than experimental industry.
The production itself, however, was not without flaws. Camera angles at times were woefully lacking in symmetry, and the continuity might have been stepped up by a few directorial touches. It is to be presumed these flaws will be remedied when the production is ready for public consumption.
During the midst of the program, an unannounced guest walked into the control room and seated himself next to us. He is also a television enthusiast— Arturo Toscanini. Other guests who viewed the program in another control room at NBC were Edna Ferber and George S. Kaufman, famous playwrights. (New Brunswick Sunday Times)
Tuesday, April 18, 1939
W9XK, University of Iowa
7:15 to 7:30—Television program with radio station WSUI..
WEEKLY TELEVISION SCHEDULE OUTLINED BY NBC NETWORK
By C. E. BUTTERFIELD
NEW YORK, April 18. (AP)—The weekly schedule for public television broadcasts finally has been outlined at NBC.
Besides two hours of studio presentations from 8 to 9 on Wednesday and Friday nights, there will be one or more pickups of outdoor scenes on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday afternoons as well as 23 hours of film transmissions a week. The films will be sent five days a week in 10 minute periods at 15-minute intervals. These periods will cover the hours of 11 a. m. to 4 p. m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and from 4 to 8 p. m. on Wednesdays and Fridays.
The opening broadcast, as has been announced, will be on April 30, starting at 12:30 p. m., mainly from the New York World's fair. It will include the opening parade and the opening address by President Roosevelt. The first of the scheduled broadcasts thereafter will be on May 3.
TELEVISING fingerprints as a police aid in rounding up criminals was successfully tested April 18 on the Don Lee Broadcasting System, Los Angeles television transmitter W6XAO. Experiment was conducted by Harry R. Lubcke, Don Lee television director. Fingerprints were flashed from the downtown Los Angeles studios and picked up by Long Beach, Cal. police, 30 miles away. (Broadcasting, May 1)
Wednesday, April 19, 1939
MONROVIA YOUNG WOMAN ON RADIO
A Monrovia girl. Miss Ruth Elliott, will go on the air tonight [19] in a television radio broadcast over station KHJ [W6XAO] at 8:30 o'clock when the play "Cloisters," written by Leota Summerhays, is presented.
Invited to present a play for this broadcast the Dionysians of Los Angeles chose the play by one of their members and Miss Elliott is one of the cast.
Dress rehearsal of the play which has been directed by a studio director from KHJ was held last night. (Monrovia News-Post)
Thursday, April 20, 1939
Television Launched Commercially With Broadcast From Fair
Program Service And Receivers Are Available to Public
NEW YORK, April 20 (AP)—The advent of television, long heralded as the beginning of a new American industry, was announced today by David Sarnoff, president of the Radio Corp. of America, in a television broadcast from the R. C. A. Exhibit Building at the New York World’s Fair grounds. "Today we are on the eve of launching a new industry,” Mr. Sarnoff said, "based on imagination, on scientific research and accomplishment.
“We are now ready to fulfill the promise made to the public last October when the Radio Corp. of America announced that television program service and commercial television receivers would be made available to the public with the opening of the New York World's Fair."
Audience Watches Miles Away.
The ceremonies at the fair grounds were attended by a group of business and professional men who inspected the new commercial television receivers which go on sale this week.
Eight miles away, in the R. C. A. Building at Rockefeller Center, an audience watched and heard the ceremonies.
"It is with a feeling of humbleness that I come to this moment of announcing the birth in this country of a new art so important in its implications that it is bound to affect all society," Sarnoff said. "It is an art which shines like a torch of hope in a troubled world. It is a creative force which we must learn to utilize for the benefit of all mankind."
Various Models Shown.
The television models on display ranged from an attachment which reproduces pictures only and which plugs into a radio set for sound, to a large console type combination television and sound radio receiver, employing a 12-inch kinescope tube. The attachment model is the direct-viewing type, showing pictures 3 3/8 inches deep by 4 3/8 inches wide, and the largest model reproduces pictures 7 3/8 by 9 3/4 inches in size which are reflected from a mirror in the lid of the cabinet.
Price of the television attachment will be about $175. Complete sight and sound receivers will be priced from about $300 to $800.
Friday, April 21, 1939
NEW YORK, April 21— (AP)— Television had something of a field day in New York yesterday [20].
Fifty minutes of pictures through the air, viewed by newspapermen were used by RCA to announce its first line of tele-receivers, to dedicate its building at the New York World's Fair and to herald what was described as "a new American industry."
Announcement of the tele-sets put them in the price range from $200 to $600, depending upon the type and whether they provide for both sight and sound.
The telecast itself was looked upon by engineers as further evidence that television no longer is "in the laboratory," for it contained scenes at the world's fair eight miles from the receivers, studio pickups that featured a three-round amateur prize fight, and motion pictures.
Reception was unusually good.
Regular program service for the New York public begins April 30 with another world's fair program, the opening address by President Roosevelt. (C.E. Butterfield column, April 21)
W9XK, University of Iowa
7:15 to 7:30—Television program with radio station WSUI.
DEVELOP SILENT CAMERA FOR TALKING MOVIES
(By Science Service)
Hollywood, April 21.—For the first time since sound motion pictures came into use more than ten years ago the motion picture industry has a noiseless camera which can be used inside a sound studio without any sound-proofing box, or "blimp" as it is known in the industry.
The new silent camera, weighing only sixty pounds, was described at the meeting of the Society of Motion Picture Engineers here by G. Laube of the Twentieth Century-lux Film Corporation. The monitor view finder truly conforms to the image being photographed on the film so that the cameraman no longer has to make allowances for palallax. The camera turret mounts four lenses which are quickly changed, while the entire camera is sealed from the action of sand, dirt or water.
It takes about twenty hours of time of one or more members of a dramatic unit to stage a fifteen-minute television play, the society learned from H. R. Lubcke of the Don Lee Broadcasting System here, which is now showing a dramatic comedy serial, "Vine Street," in thirty-two weekly episodes.
Here is what it takes to turn out a fifteen-minute program:
"Preparation of script; construction or modification of props and scenery; cast memorization of lines; cast rehearsal; camera-sound, sound-effects, light rehearsal with production staff; make-up; the performance itself, including visual-aural introduction of the act; the performance proper with overall supervision of lighting, microphone, and television adjustments by a television-producer at a distant receiver; closing announcement; written and verbal report of errors or advances in technic made during the performance."
'Television Girl' New Acquisition
Television girl, so-called, has been captured for the movies. She's Jane Webb, American girl, who went to England, and broadcast in the visual medium. Paramount has signed her to appear with Albert Dekker in "Dr. Cyclops." The deal was made in this country.
Miss Webb is the daughter of Dr. Basil Webb, playwright, and Estelle Webb of the Metropolitan Opera.
Incidentlly [sic], there are a growing group of "television girls," as a result of telcasts [sic] both in this country and Europe. (Los Angeles Times)
** This is not the radio and cartoon Jane Webb, whose parents were James Howard and Sigrid C. Webb. This is likely (Alice) Jane Webb who was a Powers model and contract player in the 1930s who died in Santa Rosa in 1985.
Monday, April 24, 1939
Newsmen Witness Television Demonstration In Studio And Out For First Time
BY C. E. BUTTERFIELD
Associated Press Radio Editor
New York, April 24—Television, both in the studio and out, was demonstrated for the first time to an annual meeting of the Associated Press this afternoon by the RCA-NBC system. The specially arranged visual broadcast was titled "Looking at Tomorrow." From the studio came a picturized review of world affairs since Munich by Dewitt MacKenzie, Associated Press foreign affairs writer.
From outside, mobile equipment picked up scenes of news on the move directly from the Associated Press headquarters in its Rockefeller Center building. It was the first time that television had been utilized to depict history in the making as if it were a single news event.
Likewise, it was the first time that a mobile televisor had been installed in the Associated Press office to show the every-day activity in keeping a nation informed of news through 1,400 member newspapers.
The program, arranged by members of the AP staff in cooperation with the television departments of the Radio Corporation of America and the National Broadcasting Company, was transmitted through the NBC station in the Empire State Building to 20 receivers installed in the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel several blocks away.
In visualizing Europe's story since Munich, AP news photos and selected motion pictures were combined for the studio presentation. Mackenzie, as narrator, gave a graphic recital of a worried world as he told of the search for peace by "the man with the umbrella"—Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain of Great Britain.
Immediately after the program in the Radio City studios of NBC, a switch was made to the fourth floor of the AP Building. There the viewers saw teletypes in action as they brought in news from Europe to complete up to the minute the events outlined by Mackenzie; other teletypes relaying the same story over the country; portable wire photo equipment transmitting the latest news picture; editors at their posts and other activties of a great news organization. The tour of the office was conducted by Announcer George Hicks.
The broadcast was concluded with a view of a teletype sending out a story of the demonstration itself.
To introduce the program and explain some of the items that make television a reality, Miss Helen Lewis of the NBC staff, as mistress of ceremonies, took the viewers behind the scenes in the studio with the aid of the electric' camera.
Coupled with the other "firsts" in the broadcast was the special installation of receivers in the Waldorf-Astoria. Never before had such a large gathering, numbering more than 300 newspaper publishers from all over the country, been handled at one sitting for a television program sent and received by air. Numerous technical difficulties had to be overcome by NBC and RCA engineers to make the demonstration possible.
In addition, the test was another of the preliminaries to regular television programs for the public in the New York area, to start next Sunday with the televising of President Roosevelt as he delivers the address opening the New York World's Fair.
Tuesday, April 25, 1939
W9XK, University of Iowa
7:15 to 7:30—Television program with radio station WSUI.
Television News
NBC's television department announces that it will present March of Time reels as part of its regular program schedule this Summer. The reels proved themselves to be mighty popular film items in NBC's experimental transmissions over W2XBS.
Since the reels are carefully compiled news events with running interpretative commentary, the film has the continuity that is desired in television. In addition, the releases ordinarily have many of the closeups and intermediate shots that televise beat over an all-electronic system.
Under the new experimental agreement the NBC television program department plans to use back releases in daytime telecasts over its transmitter in the Empire State tower to receivers at the New York World's Fair. Special releases will be used during the regular evening telecasts. (Jo Ranson, Brooklyn Eagle)
Wednesday, April 26, 1939
Television Demonstrated By Crosley With Special Program For Newsmen
BY JOSEPH GARRETSON, JR.
Radio combed its hair and powdered its face yesterday [26] as radio voices became at once living pictures on a screen. The occasion was the first demonstration in Cincinnati of modern television, when the Crosley Corporation gave a special showing of its experimental television broadcasting and receiving equipment to newspapermen on the top floor of the 574-foot Carew Tower.
As reporters, editors, and radio officials moved in front of the camera and spoke into a microphone their actions and words were projected simultaneously on a receiving set in an adjoining room. Similarly, the camera and microphone picked up sight and sound on the observation Tower of the skyscraper front where faces and voices were relayed to the receiving apparatus on the floor below.
Since Crosley application for an experimental license has not yet been approved, in yesterday's demonstration pictures and sound were transmitted by wire rather than by radio waves, but video and audio transmitters are ready to go into action when the license is approved.
Lewis M. Crosley, Vice President, said the company now could broadcast television programs over the air and provide receiving instruments through which such programs could be received in a radius of about 28 miles from the receiving point.
But neither Crosley, nor anyone else, knows when the sending and receiving of such programs will become a reality.
Although radio companies have spent millions in television research, neither top officials nor engineers know what it all is going to amount to eventually or when.
The pictures in yesterday's demonstration were clear, but not so clear as good newspaper or magazine reproductions. The sound reception, of course, was of the same quality as present broadcasting.
To the very unscientific mind of this reporter it seems that the answer must be found to two difficulties before television can become a commercial reality.
These difficulties lie in the fact that broadcasts can be made for only a short distance (except at prohibitive cost) and the problem of finding enough suitable and economically feasible programs to broadcast.
Television waves travel as light waves—on a straight line—and they cannot bend around objects as can radio sound waves. This means that the broadcast range is limited to the immediate horizon and explains why Crosley, or any other broadcaster, could send only over a radius of about 26 miles. These television waves can be carried over cables from one point to another, but the writer heard estimates of the cost of this cable ranging from $25,000 to $75,000 a mile. Obviously, at the present stage of development, this would prohibit network television as it is now known in radio.
Then, even if these other obstacles did not exist, there is the question of suitable programs. As long as the broadcasting range of television is so limited, no broadcaster can afford to produce programs of sufficient visual interest to compete with the lavish productions of the stage or motion pictures.
In justice to television, perhaps it should be pointed out that a doubting public envisioned many "insurmountable obstacles" to the development of the steamship, railroad, automobile, airplane, and radio itself.
Officially, the company had this to say of television:
“It is the opinion of the company that television is an unknown factor and, in order to be prepared for any eventuality, it is our intention to keep abreast of the new science by research and development in transmitting and receiving equipment and training personnel both in the engineering and programing branches of the new art. As yet no plans have been formulated for broadcasting television programs.
"While our factory has already constructed a number of television receivers in its laboratory, no schedules have been made for their production. Neither have approximate retail costs been determined, nor have any plans for marketing the receivers been decided upon."
The Federal Communications Commission is now considering Crosley’s application for a permit to construct video and audio transmitters of 1,000 watts power each to operate on the 50-56 megacycle frequency television band. (Cincinnati Enquirer, Apr. 27)
Television For Nova Workout
NEW YORK, April 27.—Television entered the boxing game today following Lou Nova's "transmission" of three two-minute rounds at Radio City yesterday [26]. The recording was made on the third floor and witnessed by a large gathering on the sixth floor. Mike Jacobs of the Twentieth Century Sporting club, promoter of Nova's June 1 bout with Max Baer, was among those witnessing the "show." (Holyoke Transcript and Telegram)
Thursday, April 27, 1939
W9XK, University of Iowa
7:15 to 7:30—Television program with radio station WSUI.
Friday, April 28, 1939
Television Test Enterprise Plans Revealed
Experimental Station To Be Constructed By Earle C. Anthony
The dream of Hollywood as a television center moved a step closer to materialization today with the announcement of Earle C. Anthony, Inc., of plans for construction of an experimental virtual broadcasting station.
The operator of the KFI and KECA radio stations has leased the 14th floor of the Bekins Van and Storage Building at Santa Monica Blvd. and Highland Ave. for the proposed broadcasting operations, Harrison Holliway, general manager of the radio division of the Anthony company, disclosed.
The lease includes use of two towers already atop the building one for visual and the other for sound transmission.
Lee System Expanding
The entry of Earle C. Anthony into the television field follows announcement recently by the Don Lee Broadcasting System of plans for expansion of its own visual broadcasting operations through the erection of a new transmitter on a 20-acre site on the Mark Sennett estate on the Griffith Park boundary. The Lee system is broadcasting daily experimental television.
Earl C. Anthony, Inc., last March 25 filed application for an experimental visual broadcasting station with the Federal Communications Commission for operation with 1000 watts on 42,000-56,000 kilocycles.
The proposed television program will be put into operation upon issuance of the Federal license and receipt of data on television standards to be presented in the Craven report, which is expected within 30 days, Holliway said.
High Tower Planned
The new television station will include the highest visual transmitting tower in Southern California, according to the Anthony officials. The station’s experimental program will be devoted to the compiling of information on coverage and listener-reaction, rather than technical research work.
"Exhaustive research by our engineers has indicated that this site is the most desireable for a television station in the metropolitan area because at the present time television’s effective limits are bounded by the natural horizon, or a distance of approximately 40 miles,” Holliway said. (Hollywood Citizen-News)
Television Programs
Here, there, everywhere, you hear the question: “What will television programs consist of?"
Gilbert Seldes, C. B. S. director of television programs, who sailed for England this week to examine B. B. C. television technique, has been asked this question at least a hundred times in the last month.
Seldes says it is difficult to predict anything about television programs because television covers part of the field of each of the arts with which it will be allied—motion pictures, radio, newsreels, stage, animated cartoons and many others. The programs will be varied as life itself, says Seldes.
"Since we are going to do a job without precedent," he observes, "we will have endless opportunities for improvement and error. Television programs even in the beginning will be divided into several distinct classes. Drama will be only one of perhaps a dozen elements.
"Television will work hand in hand with other forms of art from which it is basically different. It differs chiefly from stage or radio in having a special immediacy for the audience. Television goes directly into the listener's home, and, more than that, into his living room.
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Family Problems
This peculiar quality of television, according to Seldes, creates one of the major problems of sight and sound programs. Being part of the family entertainment, it has to contend with family problems as well, such as junior hammering at something on the back porch, or mama arguing with Suzy about that hat she is not going to wear to that date.
"Maybe long plays won't be suitable for television, until children go to bed—if then,” Seldes said. "As a matter of fact, a new type of play may eventually emerge, short enough and striking enough to rivet the listener's attention to his television receiver, no matter what distractions may be around at the time. Movies will be used in studio work, but whether we will be able to use the regular feature movie, we don't know. We shall see."
Seldes predicts that television will work out a new type of show, just as radio programs were built up after years of experiment. Ten minutes will probably be the limit for an "act" on a television program.
"The lady who wrote that classic letter in 1931 telling us not to spy on her in her bathtub has probably become reconciled to television now. That's fine—because all we have to do now is to give American audiences a complete well-rounded entertainment in an absolutely new medium. That's all—and it's going to be good fun."
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N. B. C. Schedule
Meanwhile, N. B. C. is readying its television program schedule effective the week of April 30-May 6. Call letters of the station are W2XBS, video frequency, 45.25 mc.; audio frequency, 49.75 mc. The following sight and sound programs will be transmitted to those possessing television receivers in the metropolitan area: APRIL 30 (Sunday), 12.30 pm. to 4.00 p.m.—President Roosevelt, Grover Whalen and others in opening ceremonies of World's Fair. Program, originating at the World's Fair grounds will be televised by NBC mobile unit and relayed to Manhattan for broadcast. Review of opening parade will be included in telecast.
MAY 3 (Wednesday), 8:00 to 9:00 p.m.—Fred Waring's Pennsylvanians and Richard Rodgers of song-writing team of Rodgers and Hart, featured in first studio program. Composer will be at piano to accompany Marcy Written, of “The Bova From Syracuse,” in songs from Rodgers and Hart production. Program also includes Marjorie Clark and Earl Larimore in "The Unexpected,” dramatic sketch by Aaron Hoffman; the Three Swifts, Jugglers; a relay from World's Fair and Disney cartoon comedy, "Donald's Cousin Gus."
MAY 5 (Friday), 8:00 to 9:00 p m.—Mitzi Green, comedienne, in program presented from Radio City television studios. Other items: Josephone Huston in 'The Choir Rehearsal," musical piece by Clare Kummer; Roy Post, inventor of “lie detector," in demonstration of device, and Novello Bothers, comedy whistlers. (Jo Ranson, Broolyn Daily Eagle)
Sunday, April 30, 1939
W2XBS, New York
12:30 to 4 P.M., President Roosevelt Speaking at World’s Fair and Other Opening Day Ceremonies. (Video Frequency, 45.25; Audio Frequency 49.75). Special film of “Gunga Din.”
Magic of Television Brings Moving Pictures Of Fair Opening Into East Port Chester Home
Television—that big question mark of radio for the past few years—is here at last, and by here, we mean right here in the Port Chester area.
It was a memorable and historic occasion for that small group which gathered yesterday afternoon [30] at the home of William Hoisington at 88 Henry Street, East Port Chester, to witness the first official television broadcast in history.
Comparable in significance to that day back in November, 1910, when the radio "craze" first started, the event left no doubt with even the most skeptical that television has at last.arrived and has opened up a new field with apparently boundless possibilities.
Long interested in radio, Mr. Hoisington was one of the first to recognize the fact that television was not just a myth—it some day was to become an actuality.
Builds Own Set
The fruits of his study and labor on the subject were rewarded yesterday when, through the medium of his home-made set, he presented the entire “telecast" of the opening of the New York World's Fair.
Flashed on a screen four inches wide and three inches deep, the pictures were amazingly clear and it was hard to realize that these were actually slight waves being broadcast much the same way sound has for many years.
Not only were sweeping panoramic scenes of the exposition grounds shown by the NBC television camera, but scenes at the speakers' stand, where President Roosevelt, Governor Lehman, Mayor LaGuardia and. other dignitaries helped open the fair, were presented also. It was easy to distinguish between the various speakers although the images were comparatively small because the camera was so far away.
To the thrilled group who crowded the radio room on the second floor of the Hoisington home, the broadcast was just about as much fun as actually going to the fair. As the camera was shifted about the Myriad of people, buildings and bunting stood out clearly, as did the trylon and penisphere. Only 100 Sets Tuned In
It was estimated that from 100 to 200 receivers were in tune throughout the Metropolitan area and that possibly 1,000 persons looked on.
Mr. Hoisington did not complete assembling his set until yesterday morning but it worked perfectly throughout the day, the only hitch being occasional interference from the ignitions of passing cars, which blurred the pictures.
The East Port Chester radio enthusiast, who is associated with a radio dealer in Greenwich, revealed that his set cost about $200 to build. The parts arrived last Monday and he had the task of assembling scores of parts in order to tune in on yesterday's first telecast. Some idea of the detail may be gleaned from the fact that he had to hook up 58 resistors, 35 condensers and 11 volume controls.
The heart of the set is the picture tube, which costs $27.50 and which actually screens the pictures after 16 other tubes have picked up the sight and sound waves from an aerial on the roof and have ironed there out, so to speak.
The apparatus uses less current than an old-fashioned radio, although one of the tubes is a 2,000-volt rectifier. It is completely safe and sound, however, Mr. Hoisington pointed out.
"The aerial is all-important," he related. "It must be 10 feet long and horizontal and preferably should be of beam construction. Height is a very important element. That's why the aerial for the NBC transmitter is located on top of the Empire State building."
Not only did guests at the Hoisington home yesterday take in the fair's opening, but they also witnessed television broadcast of moving pictures from Radio City—"pictures through the air" as the announcer proclaimed them.
There was a reel on the "Gray Armada," showing the U. S. Navy in all its spectacular might and power at sea, and then there was a condensed version of the motion picture "Gunga Din," the first such telecast in history.
Beginning today, there will be 25 hours a week of telecasting, and Mr. Hoisington predicted after yesterday's successful demonstration that it's entirely possible that by next Fall radio fans will actually see the leading football games via radio's new medium, while still enjoying the comforts of home.
A native of Wayne, Pa., Mr. Hoisington and his wife have lived in East Port Chester for the past two years. He attended Brunswick School in Greenwich and studied television abroad. He has been in radio commercially for the past 18 years, the last 10 of which have been devoted to designing sets. He plans to introduce television to Greenwich High School students in the near future.
Mr. Hoisington operates his own 150-watt amateur station, W-ILAS, on six different wave bands, and intends to install television equipment soon, so that he can see as well at hear the various "hams" throughout the country with whom he talks—and they will get a chance also to see him.
Mrs. Hoisington admits she's a "radio widow," especially since the advent of television.
"He took my curtain rods to make that new antenna," she confided yesterday. "What next?" (Port Chester Daily Item, May 1)
Over 5,000 See Fair Opening On Television Receivers Here
Four local Radio Dealers Host Yesterday as RCA Launches New Medium of Entertainment; Public's Reception Is Enthusiastic; Showings Continue
More than 5,000 New Brunswickers saw President Roosevelt officially open the New York World's Fair yesterday afternoon [30], although they were miles away from the scene of the actual ceremonies.
Through the medium of television, the faces of the President, Governor Herbert H. Lehman of New York, Mayor Fiorello H. LaGuardia of New York City, Grover A. Whalen and others were brought to this city and produced on receiver screens ranging in size from 8 by 10 inches to 3 1/2 by 4 1/2 inches.
Enthusiasm for the new medium of entertainment, which was launched officially as an industry in the United States yesterday by Radio Corporation of America, ran high wherever a television receiving set was available.
Four local radio dealers opened their doors to the public from 12:30 to 4 o'clock so that the World's Fair ceremonies could be witnessed on television receivers.
At the Norman Van Heuvel radio store, 412 George street, about 1,000 persons filed into the specially built television reception room in the rear of the store at the rate of 25 at a time to see the World's Fair opening. Those who witnessed the program expressed amazement at the exceptional clarity of the presentation, Van Heuvel said. He exhibited one of the new RCA-Victor television consoles.
2,000 At Dunn’s
Great interest and excitement prevailed at the Dunn & Dunn radio store, 25 Livingston avenue, where a crowd, estimated by Everett Dunn to exceed 2,000, jammed the establishment to view the television program.
Dunn had a large curtain stretched across the front of the store to darken the place, and had a seating arrangement for 80 persons to witness the transmission. Dunn pointed out that Harry Wagner, manager of the Roger Smith Hotel, was so delighted with the reception that he personally extended an invitation to every hotel guest to visit the Dunn store.
The first purchaser of a television receiver in this city, as far as could be ascertained today, was Arthur McCallum, head of the Flako Products Corporation of this city, who placed his order with Dunn & Dunn after seeing yesterday's remarkable presentation.
The J. Schwartz Furniture Store at 289 Burnet street was a mecca for 1,200 persons who stood in line waiting to be admitted to a special room where the television show was received. Eighty persons at a time were admitted to the reception room.
Future Demonstrations
Eisler's, Inc., 124 French street, attracted nearly 1,000 persons during the television transmission. with 40 persons witnessing the program at a time.
Dunn and Eisler showed DuMont receivers, while Van Heuvel and Schwartz exhibited the RCA receivers. All dealers will demonstrate their sets whenever programs are available. Showings today, tomorrow and Thursday will take place from 11 a. m. to 4 p. m. and on Wednesdays and Fridays from 4 to 9 p. m.
What was believed to be the only factory-manufactured home receiver in operation at a local residence was viewed at the home of Will Baltin, radio-theater editor of The Daily Home News, by more than 50 persons yesterday afternoon. A large DuMont console, loaned by the Van Heuvel radio store, was in operation.
J. Adam Frisch, local radio dealer, built his own television receiver from an Andrea kit and displayed his handiwork to 10 relatives and guests at his home. (Daily Home News, New Brunswick, N.J., May 1)
Even Scoffers Now Excited By Possibility Of Television
They Work, Is Consensus As World's Fair Opening Is Shown At Two Stores Here
Like their parents and grandparents before them who were inclined to scoff when told radio and telephone would soon become commonplace instruments, thousands experienced the thrill of seeing a new field of entertainment unfold before their eyes when the first public television program was broadcast yesterday afternoon [30] from the World's Fair of Tomorrow.
ALREADY VISION FUTURE
"It's a miracle". "It’s like a little talking movie".
"How soon can we have a program every day?"
These were the remarks that predominated as the curious crowded into the small backroom at Kuss Brothers store in Hackensack. They stood wide-eyed as they watched Grover Whalen introduce speakers at the World's Fair grounds, heard and saw President Roosevelt welcome its first visitors, and the United States Army band play the national anthem.
It was a newsreel made and shown the instant the event took plcae [sic] and it was enough to make those in atendance [sic] live in anticipation.
Kuss Brothers made possible the public broadcast by mounting a television receiving set on a platform in the rear of its store.
CLEARLY VISIBLE
Even at a distance of 10 feet, the small 8 by eight by 10-inch screen was clearly visible.
Nothing escaped the television eye focused on the speakers' stand at the fair grounds and spectators in Hackensack smiled approvingly as President Roosevelt greeted the crowd.
They laughed as unknown persons were caught by the television eye as it swept past the grandstand to the United States Army Band.
Sound waves distorted the picture at this point until it was properly focussed and then the band was clearly shown.
Press photographers made candid pictures themselves as they scurried around for places of advantage to take their news pictures.
AUDIENCE EXCITED
And when the 3 1/2 hour program was over, the audience talked excitedly about the marvels of television.
While Kuss Brothers entertained the public in Hackensack, Franklin Furniture Company, Inc ., of Englewood, also gave a first showing for its patrons and friends.
One of the most common remarks heard was:
"What will I do with my radio set?"
And this and other questions kept salesmen busy all afternoon as they explained television sets without the sound equipment could be purchased to go with radio transmitters.
The price of a television receiver ran slightly over $200 while the complete set costs more than $400. (Bergen Evening Record, May 1)
LARGE POTENTIAL CUSTOMER AUDIENCE AWAITING TELEVISION
By Institute of Public Opinion.
NEW YORK, April 29.—As the first commercial television "telecasts" go out over National Broadcasting Company transmitters in the New York area tomorrow, a nation-wide survey by the American Institute of Public Opinion shows that there is a large potential customer audience awaiting the new television industry. While television is likely to be confined to the larger metropolitan areas for some time, the Institute estimates that approximately 4,000.000 families throughout the United States—or about one family in eight— consider themselves good prospects for home television sets.
Not all of these families will have the opportunity to operate sets in the near future, of course, but the Institute's survey points to a substantial market even in the limited areas where the telecasts will be available.
For the new television industry—celebrating its birthday today —the Institute's survey will be an auspicious sign. The survey shows that the idea of television has been well sold to the public even before it has been widely demonstrated.
For the present, television broadcasts will be limited to the New York City area, according to NBC officials, and will be extended to such cities as Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago, Detroit and other cities as soon as possible. Today's survey reveals that the sections most interested in television are New England, the East, the Chicago-Detroit area and the West Coast.
Typical Screen About 7 by 5 Inches
Much will depend on the way home television sets work in actual operation, and canny salesmen are warning customers in the New York area, where sets are now on sale, not to expect "too much." The typical home television set will have a screen about 7 inches by 5, and will not give the large, smooth images of some of the better home "movie" outfits—at least not at first.
While it is not yet possible to speak of "standard prices" in connection with television, it is expected that a large number of receivers will be available at about $200.
This is the kind of receiver on which the Institute's survey is based —one costing about $200 and providing a 7-by-5 screen.
The public has accepted the mechanical perfection of television as assured, the survey shows, and it is the cost which is the limiting factor at this time.
"I would buy a set in a jiffy—if I could use clam shells for money," is the way a Los Angeles clerk answered the question put by the interviewer.
Many others said they would be interested "when sets come down to $100 or $75." Some said that they would rather invest $200 in a new radio or toward the purchase of a new automobile. Only a few said they thought television "impractical" or the screen too small for pleasure.
Those interested in buying sets said (1) that television is "the next step" and that it will make radio more interesting, (2) that they want to be among the first to try it. (St. Louis Globe-Democrat, Apr. 30)
