February 1937

Television got a shot at regular publicity in February 1937. That’s when the publisher of The Film Daily began printing Radio Daily. TV news was included, though much of what was published was quotes about the industry, rather than developments.

Issues are available on line so, below, we have transcribed the newspaper’s main TV blurbs. We’ll also round out our look at the month with other newspaper stories.

A feature story in the Raleigh News and Observer of Feb. 5, 1937 briefly outlined where TV stood, mentioning the Nipkow scanning disc of 1884 and the realisation in 1930 that the mechanical system was inferior to the cathode ray camera tube. Its story pointed out:

Philco in Philadelphia have been making field tests for the past 11 months; 345 lines interlaced are used to produce high definition pictures at a distance of 10 miles from the transmitter. At present the tests have been temporarily discontinued while improvement equipment is being installed.
Farnsworth Television, Inc., of Chestnut Hill, Pa., have been waiting for a license for their stations. This has been recently received and it is believed that they plan to be on the air with television field tests. Don Lee, Inc., on the Pacific Coast, it is understood is transmitting 240 line pictures. A few other experimenters, using low-definition systems, are operating.

The Radio Manufacturers Association had approved 441-line transmission system.

During the month, NBC president Lenox Lohr was visiting radio affiliates on the West Coast, and talking about television, telling the Sacramento Bee tests had been emanating from the transmitter atop the Empire State Building since July and over 100 TV sets in New York were being tuned in by engineers to help get the bugs out.
Here’s a summary of developments for the month. Unsourced stories are from Radio Daily.

"Goal Sighted" as Solutions Obtained for Problems of New Science
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.— (U.P.) — Steady progress toward solution of the principal technical problem delaying commercial use of television was reported today by A. D. Ring, assistant chief engineer of the federal communications commission.
The necessity for standardization of television equipment and operation has been met by the use of specifications established by the radio manufacturers association, he pointed out. Standardization is necessary, he explained, because sending and receiving units must be synchronized to produce satisfactory transmissions.
"Commercial use of television is still 'Just around the corner'," Ring said. "Steady progress in experiments has enabled us to see the light of our goal, however."
After television engineers perfect the methods of transmission, there will be three other important considerations, Ring declared. They are:
1. Development of a receiving unit that will be within the buying range of the average person and yet will maintain the technical standards required for satisfactory transmission.
2. Providing programs that will hold the aural and visual interests of the consumer throughout the broadcast schedule.
3. Allocation by the federal communications commission of permanent frequencies for television stations in a narrowing broadcast spectrum.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1937
Television Station Asks General Okay
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2.—(U.P.)—R. D. Lemert, Los Angeles, asked the Federal Communications Commission today for authority to construct a new television broadcast station to be operated on unlimited time and powered with 500 watts.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1937
IOWA GIRL SCOUTS USE TELEVISION
Girl Scouts of Iowa City, Iowa, apparently can lay claim to being the pioneer scouts of the country—and perhaps of the world—in the use of television. To date, as part of a series of educational features given over W9XK, an experimental television station of the electrical engineering department of the University of Iowa, they have given several sound end sight programs based on first aid, arts and crafts, archery, star studies and photography. The girls write their own scripts and illustrate the talks with charts. In describing emergency treatment for a sprained ankle or for a bad cut, for example, their chart will show how to make and use a bandage or a tourniquet.
Professor Edwin H. Kurtz, head of the electrical engineering department of the university and director of W9XK, one of the pioneer television stations, said reports of sight and sound programs have been received from many points in Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois and Kentucky. (Latrobe Bulletin)

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1937
W6XAO Hollywood
8:30-8:45—Television (sound on KHJ, KDB and other Mutual-Don Lee stations).

Dorothy Page Qualifies In Television Tests
One of the first radio stars to qualify for television broadcasts is Dorothy Page, beautiful singing star of Irvin S. Cobb’s Paducah Plantation on KMJ, who was invited to appear on two television programs from Radio City during a recent visit to New York.
Song Writer Cole Porter and Max Gordon, the famous producer, were in the audience and both were so impressed by her image that they insisted on meeting her in person. She was the fifth radio personality to be presented on an audience television broadcast. (Fresno Bee)

Television in Home Believed Far in Future
The day when the family will sit down in front of the living room television set is still a long way off, in the opinion of William S. Paley, president of Columbia Broadcasting System.
The radio executive today said practical television might be available in New York in the next two years, that metropolitan centers generally would have the new see-hear entertainment medium first. because of the difficulties of transmission to rural districts.
He habarded [sic] a guess that home television sets would .be priced at about $400 in the beginning.
Motion picture stars are top favorites with radio dialers, but their popularity depends on good performance and not merely a big name, Paley declared.
And a mere "hello, everybody" from a screen personality is not sufficient for listeners who demand something more interesting from broadcasting actors.
Paley, on a visit to Columbia's Pacific Coast headquarters in Hollywood from New York, credited radio with raising the intellectual level of the masses. (Hollywood Citizen News)

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1937
W9XK, University of Iowa
7:15 to 7:30—Television program with radio station WSUI.

Philco to Demonstrate Practical Television
Philadelphia — What is believed to be the first demonstration of television on a practical basis is scheduled for the once-over on Thursday before a private audience. At that time, the Philco Radio & Television Corp. will demonstrate, for the first time, their 441 line television. Show will be held at the Germantown Cricket Club, some distance from Philco's tele station at the company plant, W3XE.
Philco demonstration last summer showed pictures on a mirroring plate of 345 lines.

Lohr Scouts Television
Spike in Retail Volume
PICTURES of 441 line definition are much clearer than those of 343 lines, the definition employed in previous tests from the Empire State. Another significant advance has been made in our work of television development. As we proceed in this fascinating adventure of bringing radio sight to distant eyes, it is encouraging to be able to report this substantial progress.
The development of television service promises to be orderly and evolutionary in character and is a tribute to the radio industry which enjoyed public favor on a scale that is most encouraging to its future. The public may purchase present day radio receiving sets with confidence as to their continuing serviceability. Television receiving sets cannot precede a television program service of satisfactory quality, which will be available at the beginning only in sharply restricted metropolitan areas following the eventual solution of technical, economic and program problems. — MAJOR LENOX R. LOHR, NBC Prexy.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1937
No Further Hearings Planned on Television
Washington Bureau of THE RADIO DAILY
Washington — Commander T. A. Craven, chief of engineering division of FCC, last night told RADIO DAILY that the commission does not expect any further hearings at present pertaining to television. Craven stated that should any applications be made, they will be heard, but the commission plans no hearings on its own initiative.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1937
Television Shows Seen Better for Advertisers
While television shows will be more expensive for broadcasters than radio offerings, television will give advertisers advantages in reaching a desired nationwide audience that radio cannot provide, RADIO DAILY is advised. Television shows will be more costly because in every instance where performers appear, sponsors will have to provide settings, lights and backgrounds, performers will have to be made up and properly dressed. In radio this is not necessary.
By recording a television show on film, sponsors will be able to offer it nationally and reach a desired audience, say at 9 o'clock.

First Demonstration Given Of New 441-Line Television
Connie Mack, Boake Carter Featured.
Philadelphia, Feb. 11—(U.P.)—Research engineers presented a preview of commercial television Thursday in the first demonstration of pictures meeting the standard set by the radio industry, but said that visual broadcasting probably would not be ready for the public during 1937.
Manager Connie Mack of the Philadelphia Athletics baseball team was the featured player on the one-hour program given for a group of newspapermen. Seated before the microphone and broadcasting camera of station W3XE with his interviewer, Boake Carter, Mack talked about his prospects for the coming season.
The "first televised fashion show" was another feature of the program with models parading across the seven and a half by ten inch screen.
News Reel Shown.
A news reel of the Ohio and Mississippi floods and a short musical feature were included on the program to demonstrate the ease with which sound motion pictures may be received in the home by means of television.
Pictures projected contained 441-scanning lines, the standard number set for commercial television by the Radio Manufacturers Assn. Previous demonstrations for the public have been with 345 lines.
Although most radio experts engaged in television research now are working with 441 lines—giving a much clearer picture than the lesser number—the demonstration by the Philco Radio and Television Corp. was the first witnessed by persons outside research circles.
Speed.
Visual broadcasting equipment scans the image to be transmitted as a human eye reads this type. The impressions of the sensitive television "eye," or camera, then are broadcast and received in the same manner at such a terrific speed that the human eye is able to see the entire picture instead of a series of dots arranged in more than 400 horizontal lines.
A number of obstacles stand in the way of commercial television, officials said. The federal communications commission must approve technical standards; the present limited range of broadcasting—a radius of approximately 25 miles from the station—must be increased; the government must issue suitable commercial licenses; an entirely new type of radio program must be developed, and the price of receiving sets must be reduced to a popular level.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1937
W6XAO Hollywood
8:30-8:45—Television (sound on KHJ 900 kcs and other Mutual-Don Lee stations).

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1937
TELEVISION CHANNELS UP TO THE PRESIDENT
President Roosevelt will be called upon to decide the number of channels to be allotted commercial television interests and his decision will play an important part in determining just how soon commercial television will get under way in the U. S., Radio Daily is advised.
The Army and Navy and other Government departments have made requests for all the ultra high frequencies suitable for television. Commercial interests have also made application for assignment of various wave lengths. The Army and Navy are not under control of the Federal Communications Commission, which has jurisdiction over commercial radio and television. Therefore, it is expected the President as commander-in-chief of the Army and Navy will be called upon to decide the controversy as between government and private requests for television wave lengths.
Jas. M. Skinner, chairman of the Radio Manufacturers Ass'n, said last week in Philadelphia that if the government agencies are successful in acquiring the frequencies they seek, television progress will be impeded. Philco officials said last week that the chief obstacle in the way of commencement of television service is government requests for television frequencies.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1937
W9XK, University of Iowa
7:15 to 7:30—Television program with radio station WSUI.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1937
Radio Company Seeks Television Station
WASHINGTON—The Zenith Radio Corp., Chicago, applied to the communications commission yesterday [17] for permission to operate a new television station on 42,000-56,000 and 60,000-86,000 kilocycles with one kilowatt power, unlimited time. (Decatur Daily Review)

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1937
TELEVISION IN NATURAL COLOR IS PREDICTED
Patent for Process Using Red and Green Filters Is Granted
By Science Service
WASHINGTON, Feb. 19. — The achievement of television in natural color is claimed in a patent granted to D. K Replogle, of Leonia, N. J. The patent is assigned to the Radio Corporation of America.
As in colored motion pictures using a two color process, the scene or picture to be transmitted would be split u pin [sic] two "ranges of color values." Thus there would he two television cameras: one would scan the scene thru a green filter; the other thru a red filter.
Each would convert the color values representing the televised scene into corresponding electrical impulses that would be simultaneously broadcast over two separate channels.
At the receiving station, two synchronized television receivers, one for each channel, would pick up the incoming impulses.
Those coming over the "red channel" would be picked up by the "red" television receiver which would reconvert the received electric impulse into a red colored image, corresponding to the red rays of the original scene or picture.
The "green" receiver would give a corresponding green image. The two images, red and green, would be combined so that a person looking at the television screen would see a single reproduction, in natural color, of the original scene. (Evansville Press)

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1937
W6XAO Hollywood
8:15-8:30—Television (sound on KHJ, KGB, KDB and other Mutual-Don Lee stations).

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1937
W9XK, University of Iowa
7:15 to 7:30—Television program with radio station WSUI.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1937
The two daily experimental television broadcasts made from experimental television station W9XAL, Kansas City, are synchronized and broadcast as a feature program by the allied radio station KXBY as a means of acquainting the radio audience with the work of the television school, which operates the station.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1937
W6XAO Hollywood
8:15-8:30—Television (sound on KHJ, KGB, KDB and other Mutual-Don Lee stations).

April 1939

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.
• • •
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."
• • •
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)

September 1941

New York’s two main broadcasters were slowly expanding their programming as September 1941 began. WNBT and WCBW resumed Saturday broadcasts, and the NBC station even aired a broadcast on a few Sunday afternoons.

The only other major story that month was the sign-on of the Philco station, WPTZ, on the 1st. It quickly signed a deal with Atlantic-Richfield to air play-by-play football.

Even though the U.S. had not entered the war, the Treasury Department was pushing Americans to buy War Bonds and Stamps. WNBT aired a special broadcast with patriotic songs, Arthur Treacher and the ubiquitous Grover Whalen.

There’s very little news available about the other stations; DuMont was still putting W2XWV through test transmissions in New York.

The listings below come from a number of different newspapers, including the Brooklyn Eagle.

Monday, September 1, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
8:00—Test Pattern.
9:00 to 11:00—Amateur Boxing from Jamaica Arena.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:00—Test pattern.
2:30—News.
2:45—“Boys in the Back Room.”
3:15—Children’s story.
3:30 to 4:30—Test pattern.
7:30—Test pattern.
8:00—News.
8:15—Joan Edwards, songs.
8:30 to 9:30—“Men at Work.” Variety with Adia Kuznetzoff, baritone; Jan and Janis, dancers; Tana, songs; Reid and Mack, acrobats; Three Blue Jackets, tap dancers; Al Bernie, comedian.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
12 to 6 p.m.—Tests and selected films.

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 30. – Town's first commercial tele broadcasts will start Monday (1) . W3XE, experimental station operated since 1932 by Philco Radio & Television Corporation here, was granted a 60-day commercial license by the FCC. For 15 hours a week flying photos will be transmitted over an approximate 25-mile radius from Philco's 230-foot transmitting tower. Programs will include mostly playlets, variety shows and newsreels. In addition, mobile tele unit will pick up athletic events, parades and public meetings.
Present power of station is 3,000 watts, but will be stepped up to 10,000 watts, according to chief engineer David Grimes. E. N. Alexander is station manager. Paul Knight comes in from WPEN here as announcer. Philco, since 1926, has been on the air a total of nearly 8,000 hours with studio programs and special events. At present there are an estimated 400 television receivers in the area, most of them Philco's own experimental sets. (Billboard, Sept. 6)

IN ITS daily telecasts, WCBW, CBS video station in New York, has been including the following announcement: "The programs of this station are intended primarily for home reception, and other use may not be made of them without the permission of CBS."
Since this indicates a policy at variance with that of NBC, which has permitted Adam Hat Stores to distribute to the 800 bars and grills with television sets in the New York area posters advertising the fight telecasts sponsored by Adam Hats on WNBT, NBC television station, BROADCASTING asked CBS for an explanation, receiving the following statement from the CBS television department:
"We feel that during the formative years of television we must reserve all rights in our programs to protect the future of television against detrimental precedents. As requests are made for permission to use our programs for other than home reception we shall consider each case individually." (Broadcasting, Sept. 1)

Tuesday, September 2, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
1:00—Test Pattern.
2:30—“Nickelodeon” and film varieties.
3:30 to 5:00—Test pattern.
8:00—Test Pattern.
9:00—Zeke Manners’ Gang.
9:30—“Play the Game.”
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:00—Test pattern.
2:30—News.
2:45—Dancing lesson.
3:15—Children’s story.
3:30 to 4:30—Test pattern.
7:30—Test pattern.
8:00—News.
8:15—Joan Edwards, songs.
8:30—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
9:00—“Personalities in Sport.” Bob Edge interviews Ruth Aarans, table tennis champion, and Ralph D. Palmer, UP radio sports editor.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
12 to 6 p.m.—Tests and selected films

Wednesday, September 3, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
1:00—Test pattern.
2:30—Racing at the Aquaduct.
8:00—Test Pattern.
9:00—Film: “On the Farm.”
9:30—Film: “Walk, Do Not Run.”
9:45—Film: “How to Use Your Camera.”
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:00—Test pattern.
2:30—News Report.
2:45—“Table Talk.” Helen Sioussat interviews Harper Sibley, Lawrence Phillips, Dr. Floyd Ruch, Bill Slocum Jr.
3:15—Children’s story.
3:30 to 4:30—Test pattern.
7:30—Test pattern.
8:00—News.
8:15—Joan Edwards, songs.
8:30 to 9:30—Visual quiz program.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
12 to 6 p.m.—Tests and selected films.

Thursday, September 4, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
1:00—Test pattern.
2:30—Film: “Eve of the Revolution.”
3:15—Film: “Children of Africa.”
3:30 to 5:00—Test pattern.
8:00—Test pattern.
9:00—Film: “America Outdoors: Archery.”
9:30—Mary Sutherland, comedienne.
9:40—“Current Events in Art” with Helen Appleton Reid.
9:55—News with Ray Forrest.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:00—Test pattern.
2:30—News.
2:45—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
3:15—Children’s Story.
3:30 to 4:30—Test pattern.
7:30—Test pattern.
8:00—News.
8:15—Sports with Bob Edge.
8:30 to 9:30—Country Dance.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
12:00 to 6:00—Tests and Selected Films.

Friday, September 5, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
1:00—Test pattern.
2:30—“Radio City Matinee.”
3:30 to 5:00—Test pattern.
8:00—Test pattern.
9:00—Spinning Wheel Singers.
9:10—Ireene Wicker’s Tele-Whizzes [picture to right].
9:40—Harvey Harding, songs.
9:50—News with Kent Cooper [Herald Tribune says Sam Cuff].
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:00—Test pattern.
2:30—News.
2:45—Film.
3:15—Children’s story.
3:30 to 4:30—Test pattern.
7:30—Test pattern.
8:00—News.
8:15—Harvest Moon Ball Winners [Herald Tribune says National Defense Program].
9:00—Sports with Bob Edge.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
12:00 to 6:00—Tests and Selected Films.

Saturday, September 6, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
1:00—Test pattern.
2:30 to 5:00—Aqueduct Races.
8:00—Test pattern.
9:00—Hendrik de Leeuw, travel talk.
9:30—Ted Steele and Betty Randall, songs.
9:45—One-act Play: “The Artist.”
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:00—Test pattern.
2:30 to 4:30—Films.

Monday, September 8, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
8:00—Test Pattern.
9:00 to 11:00—Amateur Boxing from Jamaica Arena.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:00—Test pattern.
2:30—News.
2:45—“Boys in the Back Room.”
3:15—Children’s story.
3:30 to 4:30—Test pattern.
7:30—Test pattern.
8:00—News.
8:15—Joan Edwards, songs.
8:30 to 9:30—“Men at Work.” Variety show.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
12 to 6 p.m.—Tests and selected films.

AS PART of a program to acquaint Chicagoans with television as a medium and box office attraction, Balaban & Katz Corp., Chicago theater chain and operator of television station W9XBK, started daily television demonstrations Sept. 8 on the mezzanine of the B & K Chicago Theater. Six telegenic hostesses will invite persons to be televised, and six receivers bave been installed in individual booths. The promotion is under the direction of William C. Eddy, B &K Television Director. (Broadcasting, Sept. 15)

The Philco Radio and Television Corp., C and Tioga sts., announced yesterday [8] that its new commercial television station has been given the official call letters WPTZ under authority of the Federal Radio Commission. (Philadelphia Inquirer, Sept. 9)

Tuesday, September 9, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
1:00 to 5:00—Test pattern.
8:00—Test Pattern.
8:15 to 11:00—Football: Brooklyn Dodgers vs. Chicago Bears at Ebbets Field.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:00—Test pattern.
2:30—News.
2:45—Dancing lesson.
3:15—Children’s story.
3:30 to 4:30—Test pattern.
7:30—Test pattern.
8:00—News.
8:15—Joan Edwards, songs.
8:30—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
9:00—“Personalities in Sport.” Bob Edge interviews Red Cochrane, boxer.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
12 to 6 p.m.—Tests and selected films

Wednesday, September 10, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
1:00—Test pattern.
2:30—“Radio City Matinee,” with British Refugee Children; Christopher Rule; Sarino.
3:30 to 4:30—Test pattern.
8:00—Test Pattern.
9:00—“Stars of Tomorrow” with Nick Kenny.
9:30—“Thrills and Chills” with Doug Allan and Harold McCracken
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:00—Test pattern.
2:30—News Report.
2:45—“Table Talk” with Helen Sioussat. Topic: “Should the United States Establish a Governmental Propaganda Bureau?” Panel: William L. Shirer, Graham Munson, Dorothy Dunbar Bromley, Sydney Herzenberger.
3:15—Children’s story.
3:30 to 4:30—Test pattern.
7:30—Test pattern.
8:00—News.
8:15—Joan Edwards, songs.
8:30 to 9:30—Visual quiz program.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
12 to 6 p.m.—Tests and selected films.

An NBC television fashion show yesterday [10] of knitted wear for British children served notice that Bundles for Britain plans to turn young people all through the United States loose with knitting needles within the next few weeks.
After models of snow suits and V-neck sweaters had been paraded by representatives of Bundles for Britain’s junior membership, participants, including two daughters of Mrs. Wales Latham, president, of the organization, indicated that this was a task the young folk really take to.
That boys are going to participate was affirmed by Paul Freeman, 13, of Forest Hills, who already has knitted a scarf, two army caps and an army helmet and is balling the yarn for a flier’s helmet, in which, he explained confidently, “you have to remember to leave holes for earphones.”
“I get kidded a little,” he admitted, “but I figure boys can do this as well as girls, and that it’s worth it, don’t you?”
Alastair Kyle, 10, also of Forest Hills, a British refugee, directed the show, but balked at the knitting part, explaining earnestly that his “out-of-school” time was completely consumed these days in a pastime growing in favor among these youngsters. “I need all my time to draw my maps of how the war’s coming,” he said.
The campaign, introduced by Mrs. Latham, is to be carried throughout the country with the assistance of stores and shops in which special instructions will be given for knitting the special garments wanted. (New York Times, Sept. 11)

NBC and Columbia are now spending between $1,500,000 to $2,000,000 a year on television. NBC, operating on a commercial license, has a budget of nearly $1,000,000 and, with five regular sponsors, has a gross income of around $50,000-$75,000 a year from commercial programs.
CBS declines to reveal how much it is spending a year, but indicates the amount is not much less than NBC's budget. Since it has only a construction permit for commercial operation, CBS has no sponsors as yet and therefore no income. But it claims to have several sponsorship requests.
There is still wide divergence in estimates of the number of television receivers in actual operation in the New York area. NBC officials say their surveys have shown there are 4,500 sets in private homes and 600-odd in public places, mostly cafes and bars. They expect these figures to be doubled by next Jan. 1, they assert. CBS officials estimate there are between 3,000 and 5,000 sets in the area, inclusive of private homes and public spots, but that not many of these are adjusted to the new television channels. CBS men are pessimistic about future sales, at least for some time, mostly because of the situation in metal priorities.
NBC's five present regular sponsors are Adam hats, Botany mills, Bulova watches, John David haberdashery, and Bloomingdale's and Abraham & Strauss department stores. Television hourly rates are $120 from 6 to 10 p.m. daily, $60 from 8 a.m. to 12 noon daily, $60 from noon to 6 p.m. Monday-through-Friday, $90 from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, $90 from 11 p.m. to sign-off daily. One-minute spots are $8 from 6 p.m. to sign-off and $4 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Hourly service charges are $150 for large studio, $75 for small studios, film studios or field pickups. There are other charges for additional services or facilities. Both NBC and Columbia operate 15 hours a week, as required by the FCC.
NBC Staff Cut
Before the FCC side-tracked television activity last year, NBC had 96 full-time employees in the department. It now has about 70. Alfred H. Morton is vice-president in charge of the department, with Noran E. Kersta assistant in charge of sales and general coordinator. Thomas H. Hutchinson is program manager and Robert Shelby is television engineer under O. B. Hanson, NBC vice-president and chief engineer. There are five television program producers, but their names are not being announced until arrangements can be made to handle actor applicants who would otherwise inundate the premises. James McNaughton is television scene designer.
There are no regular television writers as yet. The producers do some of the scripting, assisted by members of the regular NBC writer staff. In the actual televising of shows, everything in front of the camera is handled by the program people, while the engineering department has charge of what goes on in back of the camera lens. That, of course, is merely a broad general rule. NBC's equipment consists of three cameras in the studio, two for film televising, two on one mobile unit and two on a portable unit.
NBC programs include studio-produced plays and special visual commercial shows, plus such outside events as fights, ball games and other sports.
80 on CBS Staff
Columbia has more than 80 full time employees in its television department. Adrian Murphy is executive director; Gilbert Seldes in charge of programs; Dr. Peter Goldmark, chief television engineer, and Leonard H. Hole, manager of television operations (more or less a coordinator between program and engineering). Entire executive setup, like that at NBC, is much more fluid than in regular broadcasting.
CBS emphasizes this fluidity particularly in the directorial phase of its television work. Officials explain that with everyone admittedly groping his way in television, no one yet knows what form direction will take or how far it will go. Various members of the staff do directing work at times, frequently shifting over temporarily from other duties. Worthington Miner, legit stager, is head director for the company, with Phil Booth and Seldes also doing considerable work. Others of the technical staff include Edward Anhalt, cameraman and assistant director; Rudolph Bretz, cameraman and assistant director; Steve Marvin, assistant director; Richard Hubbell news announcer and assistant director, and Robert Bendick, cameraman.
Columbia has two cameras in its single studio, which, incidentally. Is several times the size of NBC's and affords much greater scope for camera mobility, etc. CBS has had remote television cameras and equipment on order for a year, but has been unable to get delivery. Unlike NBC, it airs no plays or what it calls 'fiction' shows, but confines itself to news programs, vaude bills, individual acts and such shows as dance instruction and the like. Columbia has done considerable experimentation with and airing of color television. (Variety, Sept. 10)

Thursday, September 11, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
1:00—Test pattern.
2:30—Chronicles of America Film: “Declaration of Independence,” commentary by J. Raymond Hutchinson.
3:15—Film: “Colombia, S.A.”
3:25—Film: “Plaster Sculpture.”
3:35 to 5:00—Test pattern.
8:00—Test pattern.
9:00—“Music Miniatures” with Jerry Sears.”
9:20—“Words on Wing.” Paul Wing, spelling bee.
9:50—News with Ray Forrest.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:00—Test pattern.
2:30—News.
2:45—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
3:15—Children’s Story.
3:30 to 4:30—Test pattern.
7:30—Test pattern.
8:00—News.
8:15—Sports with Bob Edge.
8:30 to 9:30—Country Dance.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
12:00 to 6:00—Tests and Selected Films.

Friday, September 12, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
1:00—Test pattern.
2:30—Racing at the Aquaduct.
3:30 to 5:00—Test pattern.
8:00—Test pattern.
9:00—“Going South,” musical comedy
9:30—“You’re An Artist,” with Frank Eliscu.
9:40 or 9:45—Harvey Harding, songs.
9:50—“Face of the War” with Sam Cuff.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:00—Test pattern.
2:30—News.
2:45—Film.
3:15—Children’s story.
3:30 to 4:30—Test pattern.
7:30—Test pattern.
8:00—News.
8:15—Harvest Moon Ball Winners [Herald Tribune says National Defense Program].
9:00—Sports with Bob Edge.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
12:00 to 6:00—Tests and Selected Films.

Saturday, September 13, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
1:00—Test pattern.
2:30 to 5:00—Aqueduct Races, including the Beldame Handicap.
8:00—Test pattern.
9:00—Whispering Jack Smith’s previews.
9:30—View and Description of Jonker’s Diamond and Vargas Diamond.
9:40—Opera Workshop, “Manon.”
9:55—News with Ray Forrest.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:00—Test pattern.
2:30 to 4:30—Films.

Sunday, September 14, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
1:30—Test pattern.
2:30 to 5:00—Air Meet, Newark Airport.

Monday, September 15, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
8:00—Test Pattern.
9:00 to 11:00—Amateur Boxing from Jamaica Arena.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:00—Test pattern.
2:30—News.
2:45—“Boys in the Back Room.”
3:15—Children’s story.
3:30 to 4:30—Test pattern.
7:30—Test pattern.
8:00—News.
8:15—Joan Edwards, songs.
8:30 to 9:30—“Men at Work.” Variety show with Equille and Marcelle; Gloria Parker, songs; Sue Reed, songs; Indian Dances.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
12 to 6 p.m.—Tests and selected films.

ALL BUT ONE of the teams of the National Professional Football League have signed with individual stations for [radio] coverage of their games this season, and most of the stations have already signed sponsors....
Exclusive television rights to all home games of the Dodgers at Ebbetts Field have been awarded to WNBT, NBC's video station in New York, and will be presented on a sustaining basis. (Broadcasting, Sept. 15)

Tuesday, September 16, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
1:00—Test pattern.
2:30—Film: “When Dreams Come True.”
2:45—Film: “A Mother’s Influence.”
3:00—“Dizzy Heights and Daring Hearts.”
3:30 to 5:00—Test pattern.
8:00—Test Pattern.
9:00—Colony Opera Guild: “Faust.”
9:30—Billiard Highlights, Frank Copeland.
9:40—To be announced.
9:50—News.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:00—Test pattern.
2:30—News.
2:45—Dancing lesson.
3:15—Children’s story.
3:30 to 4:30—Test pattern.
7:30—Test pattern.
8:00—News.
8:15—Joan Edwards, songs.
8:30—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
9:00—“Sports Workshop” with Bob Edge.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
12 to 6 p.m.—Tests and selected films

COMMERCIAL television facilities in Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Milwaukee were authorized last Tuesday [16] when FCC issued construction permits to Philco Radio & Television Corp., Earle C. Anthony Inc. and The Journal Co., publisher of the Milwaukee Journal.
The Philadelphia grant to Philco was for Channel No. 3 (66,000 to 72,000 kc.). The new station replaces Philco's former experimental station, W3XE, which has been operating commercially under a special authorization using the call letters, WPTZ, pending the granting of the new commercial television facilities.
Earle C. Anthony Inc. licensee of KFI and KECA, Los Angeles, who also was issued a construction permit for a Class C FM station at the same meeting received the Los Angeles video construction permit. Channel No. 6 (96,000 to 102,000 kc.) was assigned. Completion date was set for Jan. 15, 1942.
The new Milwaukee station was authorized to The Journal Co., licensee of standard broadcast station WTMJ and its FM adjunct, W55M. The grant was for use of Channel No. 3 and was subject to certain engineering requirements with completion date set for Oct. 27, 1941. (Broadcasting, Sept. 22)

FCC Applications, Sept. 16
WRGB, Schenectady—Reinstatement CP commercial television station Channel 3.

Wednesday, September 17, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
1:00—Test pattern.
2:30—“Radio City Matinee” with Li Ling Ai; Perry Martin, Christopher Rule; Richard Kent.
3:30 to 4:30—Test pattern.
8:00—Test Pattern.
9:00—Ted Steele [photo to right] and Betty Randall, songs.
9:10—“Current Events in Art,” Helen Appleton Read.
9:25—Zeke Manners’ Hillbillies
9:55—News.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:00—Test pattern.
2:30—News Report.
2:45—“Table Talk” with Helen Sioussat, interviews.
3:15—Children’s story.
3:30 to 4:30—Test pattern.
7:30—Test pattern.
8:00—News.
8:15—Joan Edwards, songs.
8:30 to 9:30—Visual quiz program.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
12 to 6 p.m.—Tests and selected films.

Alice Dowd will be the guest to be interviewed at the opening of Christopher Rule’s television matinee on Station NOV [sic] today from 2:30 to 3:30 o’clock. This is the opeing of a series of interviews with women in business.
Mrs. Dowd will show three costumes designed by Lorna Whittingham, of California. (Women’s Wear Daily, Sept. 17)

Thursday, September 18, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
1:00—Test pattern.
2:30—Film: “Yorktown”; Major George Fielding Eliot.
3:15—Film: “The Land of the Wends” (1937). Alwyn Bach narrates the legend of gnomes and sprites who make their home along the River Spree, accompanied by Schubert’s “Autumn.”
3:25—Film: “Gimme Some Skin” (1940) with the Delta Rhythm Boys.
3:30 to 5:00—Test pattern.
5:00—Fashion Discoveries.
8:00—Test pattern.
9:00—Hendrik de Leeuw, travel talk.
9:30—“Play the Game.”
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:00—Test pattern.
2:30—News.
2:45—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
3:15—Children’s Story.
3:30 to 4:30—Test pattern.
7:30—Test pattern.
8:00—News.
8:15—Sports with Bob Edge, interview with John Hightower.
8:30 to 9:30—Country Dance.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
12:00 to 6:00—Tests and Selected Films.

'FASHION DISCOVERIES'
With Wynn Price, Ruth Hopkins, Peggy Read
30 Mins.
BLOOMINGDALE'S
Thursday, 5 p.m.
WNBT-NBC, New York
(Norvian Waters)
It has long been anticipated that fashion displays would be a natural for television. It remains a plausible anticipation of things to come. Meantime the fashion show pioneered Sept. 18 over NBC by Bloomingdale of Manhattan, and Abraham & Strauss, of Brooklyn, merely felt its way tremulously and self-consciously.
Handled as a 'Five o'clock Party' in a private home, there were a few rather silly efforts at characterization. Punch concerned a theatrical first night, for which the stylish ones were eager to pet tickets and all of them failing. In the end the dumb maid got a call from her boy friend who had ducats to the big opening. Land. (Variety, Oct. 8)

ANNOUNCED with large display space in the New York Times, Fashion Discoveries of Television, first commercial fashion show on television, got under way last Thursday afternoon on WNBT, New York. Departing from the usual style show manner, the telecast was a dramatic comedy, whose plot gave an opportunity for girls to pose in new dresses. Series is sponsored by two department stores, Bloomingdale's in Manhattan and Abraham & Strauss in Brooklyn, and placed through and produced by Norman D. Waters & Assoc., New York. Series will be telecast each Thursday, 5-5:30 p.m. for a 13-week test. (Broadcasting, Sept. 22)

The husbands won’t be overjoyed. . . but pretty soon the women will be attending fashion shows via television. Yesterday [18], under the auspices of two great department stores, a new sponsored series of fashion programs, “Fashion Discoveries in Television,” made its debut before NBC’s camera (WNBT-5). Introduced by Ira D. Hirschmann, store executive, and with Peggy Read as commentator, the telecast portrayed at five o’clock party. It was in the form of a deftly done little playlet, with inconsequential chatter and tuneful music. Among those present were the Four Singing Harry Conover models, Wynn Price and other beauties. The gals among the viewers must have ooh-ed and aah-ed at the fetching costumes displayed. But this ignoramus got his greatest kick out of the good-looker who wore them! (Ben Gross, Daily News, Sept. 19)

Friday, September 19, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
1:00—Test pattern.
2:30 or 2:45—Fashion Pageant: “Styled for Defense,” under the auspices of the U.S. Treasury Dept. at Rockfeller Center.
3:30 to 5:00—Test pattern.
8:00—Test pattern.
9:00—Ireene Wicker’s Tele-Whizzes.
9:30—Alfred Mann and Edith Weiss Mann, music.
9:40—Harvey Harding, songs.
9:50—“Face of the War” with Sam Cuff.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:00—Test pattern.
2:30—News.
2:45—Film.
3:15—Children’s story.
3:30 to 4:30—Test pattern.
7:30—Test pattern.
8:00—News.
8:15—To be announced.
9:00—Sports with Bob Edge, interviewing Carl Loveday, badminton player.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
12:00 to 6:00—Tests and Selected Films.

The New York State Committee for the Sale of Defense Bonds and Stamps used spectacular showmanship yesterday afternoon [19] in presenting the first, big event of its selling campaign at the Promenade Cafe in the Sunken Plaza of Rockefeller Center. With the co-operation of the National Broadcasting Company, the committee drew upon American couture and the talent of the American stage, screen and radio to produce “Styled for Defense,” the first outdoor style show ever televised.
The fifteen penguins which have been in the Promentheus [sic] Pool since Aug. 15 were shunted into the background and the distracting fountain display was shut off, as invited guests, most of them women, seated themselves in the plaza, and the strollers craned their necks on four sides above. A band station complement from Fort Jay on Governors Island, under the baton of Sergeant Andrew Zaniewski, played from a stand in front of Treasury ouse.
The program consisted of patriotic songs and sales talks for the defense bonds and stamps interspersed with showings of gowns, suits and accessories. Arthur Treacher, better known as the Jeeves of stage, screen and radio, was master of ceremonies during the first part of the program. Lucy Monroe sang “The Star Spangled Banner,” Conrad Thibault, “Arms For the Love of America,” and Barry Wood, “Any Bonds Today? Renee Rochelle wound up the proceedings with: “God Bless America.”
Colonel Richard C. Patterson jr., chairman of the New York State Committee for the Sale of Defense Bonds and Stamps, told the audience: “Remember when you buy defense savings bonds and stamps, you don’t spend money. You make a profitable investment. You buy a share in America!”
Grover A. Whalen, chairman of the board of the Coty International Corporation and gasoline co-originator for New York, spoke on behalf of Retailers for Defense. Bert Lytell, president of the Actors’ Equity Association, read an excerpt from President Roosevelt’s address of April 10, opening the defense bond-and-stamp drive. John B. Kennedy, radio news commentator, also spoke.
The fashion creations, included originals from the recent showings of New York’s top-flight houses, littered with jet, sequins and jewels from Paul Flato and dripped black and silver fox, natural ranch mink and Himalayan marten.
The fashion show of twenty-four costumes opened with a daytime ensemble from Jay Thorpe. Mrs. Douglas Fairbanks sr., the former Lady Ashley, brought the display to an end in a creation by Hattie Carnegie.
Other houses which participated in the show were Saks Fifth Avenue, John Wanamaker, H. Jaeckel & Sons, Mary Lewis, Bonwit Teller, Porter’s, Arnold Constable, Charles LeMaire, Lilly Dache, Stein & Blame, Bergdorî-Goodman, Russeks Fifth Avenue, B. Altmann, Henri Bendel, Nicole de Paris, Lord & Taylor, Lanz of Salzburg, R. H. Macy, Milgrim, Jane Engel, The Tailored Woman and Town & Travel Wear, Ltd. Vyvyan Donner was the commentator. (NY Herald Tribune, Sept. 20)

Saturday, September 20, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
1:00—Test pattern.
2:30 to 5:00—Belmont Races, including the Lawrence Realization.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:00—Test pattern.
2:30 to 4:30—Films.

Sunday, September 21, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
3:30—Football: Brooklyn Dodgers vs. Detroit Lions at Ebbets Field.

Monday, September 22, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
8:00—Test Pattern.
9:00 to 11:00—Amateur Boxing from Jamaica Arena.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:00—Test pattern.
2:30—News.
2:45—“Boys in the Back Room.”
3:15—Children’s story: “Hansel and Gretel.”
3:30 to 4:30—Test pattern.
7:30—Test pattern.
8:00—News.
8:15—Joan Edwards, songs.
8:30 to 9:30—“Men at Work.” Variety show with Paul Draper, dancer; Mary Sutherland; Billy and Ann Tyus, dancers; the Martels; Marshall and Manfield.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
12 to 6 p.m.—Tests and selected films.

Tuesday, September 23, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
1:00—Test pattern.
2:30—Film: “Vincennes.”
3:15—Film: “Remnants of Frontier Life.”
3:30 to 5:00—Test pattern.
8:00—Test Pattern.
9:00—“Stars of Tomorrow” with Nick Kenny.
9:30—“You’re An Artist,” Frank Eliscu.
9:40—Opera Workshop: “Il Trovatore.”
9:55—News.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:00—Test pattern.
2:30—News.
2:45—Dancing lesson.
3:15—Children’s story: “Hansel and Gretel.”
3:30 to 5:30—Test pattern.
7:30—Test pattern.
8:00—News.
8:15—Joan Edwards, songs.
8:30—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
9:00 to 9:30—“Sports Workshop” with Bob Edge.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
12 to 6 p.m.—Tests and selected films

Wednesday, September 24, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
1:00—Test pattern.
2:30—“Radio City Matinee” with Christopher Rule, Mrs. Pennyfeather, others.
3:30 to 5:00—Test pattern.
8:00—Test Pattern.
9:00—“Miniatures in Music” with Jerry Sears.
9:20—“The Inquiring Reporter” with Jimmy Jemail.
9:30—To be announced.
9:50—“Face of the War”; news with Sam Cuff.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:00—Test pattern.
2:30—News Report.
2:45—“Table Talk” with Helen Sioussat, interviews.
3:15—Children’s story: “Hans in Luck.”
3:30 to 4:30—Test pattern.
7:30—Test pattern.
8:00—News.
8:15—Joan Edwards, songs.
8:30 to 9:30—Visual quiz program.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
12 to 6 p.m.—Tests and selected films.

Our own Jimmy Jemail [right], who was radio’s first Inquiring Reporter, also becomes the first Inquiring Reporter for television. He makes his initial appearance before NBC’s camera Wednesday evening [24]. In 1921, Jimmy visited a radio station, WDT, above a piano factory on Ninth Avenue. A buxom singer, one Vaughn Leath, was the emcee, entertainer, in fact, the whole works. Jemail asked her this question for his News column: “What does the future hold in store for radio?” Vaughn replied, “Please step up to the microphone and we will post a milestone in radio history.” Jimmy did, and repeated the question on the air. She thereupon told him: “In a few years radio is destined to become the greatest means of mass entertainment in the country.” Vaughn De Leath, thus became an accurate prophet and Jimmy went down in the books as Radio’s First Inquiring Reporter! (Ben Gross, Daily News, Sep. 21)

Thursday, September 25, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
1:00—Test pattern.
2:30 to 5:00—Belmont Races.
5:00—Fashion Discoveries.
8:00—Test pattern.
9:00—“Thrills and Chills” with Doug Allan and Malcolm Rosholt.
9:30—“Words on the Wing,” spelling bee with Paul Wing.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:00—Test pattern.
2:30—News.
2:45—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
3:15—Children’s Story: “Snow White and Rose Red.”
3:30 to 4:30—Test pattern.
7:30—Test pattern.
8:00—News.
8:15—Sports with Bob Edge, interview with John Hightower.
8:30 to 9:30—Country Dance.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
12:00 to 6:00—Tests and Selected Films.

College gìrl wardrobes were highlighted yesterday [25] in the second of a series of “Fashion Discoveries of Television,” a commercially broadcast televised program from the National Broadcasting Systems station WNBT in Radio City. The program, which is a combination fashion show and light entertainment, is sponsored over this station each Thursday afternoon at five o’clock by Abraham & Straus and Bloomingdale’s, and is planned and produced by Norman D. Waters, head of the advertising agency of that name.
Yesterday’s ‘playlet’ showed scenes in a grandstand of a college campus and in a fraternity house. Providing suitable background, the television set shows a close-up of a group of boys and girls in the grandstand and records of their flippant conversation and interest in a football game. Peggy Read, the commentator, meanwhile deftly takes up ail the lulls in the conversations of the students and gives a brief description of the clothes theyare wearing and the price of the garments; in a number of instances Miss Read mentions the resource of the garments. (Women’s Wear Daily, Sep. 26)

Friday, September 26, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
1:00—Test pattern.
2:30 to 5:00—Belmont Races.
8:00—Test pattern.
9:00—“Modern Mikado” with Bruce Hamilton, Jack Millard, Pamela Wood.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:00—Test pattern.
2:30—News.
2:45—Film.
3:15—Children’s story: “The Six Companions.”
3:30 to 4:30—Test pattern.
7:30—Test pattern.
8:00—News.
8:15—National Defense Program: Activities of the U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps.
9:00—Sports with Bob Edge.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
12:00 to 6:00—Tests and Selected Films.

Although the reception on our television set was miserable, during the few lucid moment’s [sic] enjoyed by our machine, we had a tremendous kick out of the telecasting of Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Mikado” last night [26] (WNBT-9). A modernized streamlined version, produced by Shawmus O’Toole before the cameras of NBC, it revealed itself as first-rate entertainment. A group of veteran radio artists, including Pamela Wood, Jack Millard and Bruce Hamilton, gave a sweel performance. The costumes and the scenic background enhanced their efforts greatly. By all means, let’s have more Gilbert and Sullivan on television! (Ben Gross, Daily News, Sep. 27)

N. W. AYER & SON, Philadelphia, and Atlantic Refining Co. are handling the first commercial television football schedule, starting with a night version of the Temple-Kansas game Sept. 26. The opener also marked the first televised night grid game, either sustaining or commercial, according to Ayer.
The entire Temple home schedule along with Penn and the Eagles-Bears pro game Nov. 30 will be televised by Atlantic on WPTZ, Philco video station. Last year Atlantic televised football experimentally, adhering to FCC rules than in force. This season, the bars are down and the entire television coverage, including announcers, will be independent of the conventional broadcasts.
Announcers have been trained to handle the new technique as well as commentaries and commercials. Dramatized commercials are being used, spaced not to interfere with actual play. New techniques will be used for commercials and the Ayer agency has been conducting research into various methods.
In televising the night game Sept. 26, five cameras were used—two on the 45-yard line, two showing special score boards which summarized play and the fifth at the studios for pre-game lineups and commercials. A special antenna was used to carry signals from the relay station atop the stadium, W3XP, to a receiver at the Philco plant some distance away.
Last year Ayer and Atlantic accompanied the television picture-story with the running story by the regular announcer handling the conventional broadcast. No pictures of field or crowd could be shown in which Atlantic promotion might be picked up. (Broadcasting, Sept. 29)

Saturday, September 27, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
1:00—Test pattern.
2:30 to 5:00—College Football: Manhattan vs. St. Bonaventure, Randall’s Island Stadium.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:00—Test pattern.
2:30 to 4:30—Films.

Monday, September 29, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
8:00—Test Pattern.
9:00 to 11:00—Amateur Boxing from Jamaica Arena.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:00—Test pattern.
2:30—News.
2:45—“Boys in the Back Room.”
3:15 to 3:30—Children’s story: “John Gilpin.”
7:30—Test pattern.
8:00—News.
8:15—Joan Edwards, songs.
8:30 to 9:30—“Men at Work.” Variety show with Eleanor Bowers, songs; Bourbon and Bane, dance team; Kajar, magician; Harland Dixon, dancer; Windy Cook, trick vocal effects.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
12 to 6 p.m.—Tests and selected films.

Tuesday, September 30, 1941
WNBT (NBC), New York, Channel 1
1:00 to 3:30—Test pattern.
3:30—Film: “Daniel Boone.”
4:30 to 5:00—Test pattern.
8:00—Test Pattern.
9:00—Whispering Jack Smith’s Prevues.
9:30—“In the Spotlight.”
9:50—News.
WCBW (CBS), New York, Channel 2
2:00—Test pattern.
2:30—News.
2:45—Dancing lesson.
3:15—Children’s story: “Hans in Luck.”
7:30—Test pattern.
8:00—News.
8:15—Joan Edwards, songs.
8:30—Metropolitan Museum of Art.
9:00 to 9:30—“Sports Workshop” with Bob Edge.
W2XWV (DuMont), New York, Channel 4
12 to 6 p.m.—Tests and selected films

Hollywood, Sept. 30. Harrison Holliway has contrived KSEE as the call letters for the Earle C. Anthony television station.(Variety, Oct. 1)

First in its presentation of a complete model line of motor cars for 1942, Hudson scored another notable first by making the premiere ‘42 appearance this week in Hollywood television.
Interested in television, it was a gala occasion when executives from the Hudson Sales Corp., headed by Howard P. Grove, Pacific Coast sales manager for the Hudson Co., rolled a new 1942 Hudson Super Six sedan before the KTSL cameras in the Don Lee Studios atop Mt. Lee overlooking the film capital.
The show was presented in the new $200,000 Don Lee Studios atop a 1700-foot mountain above Hollywood. Owner Thomas S. Lee, colorful radio and television figure, has consistently sought nee and diversified content for his programs which have included pickups at a rodeo, prize-fights and boxing bouts, Easter dawn services at Hollywood Bowl, baseball games and the Pasadena Tournament of Roses parade.
The new 1942 Hudson Super Six was inspected by the telephoto and wide angle tele-photo camera for the 500 home teleceiver owners within a 100 mile radius of KTSL. (Hollywood Citizen News, Oct. 1)