Television was continuing to expand in September 1929 and there was even live programming from New York, although it wasn’t over a TV channel.
D.E. Replogle, New York Chairman, Television Committee, Radio Manufacturers Association, Inc., gave a summary that appeared in the press that month:
For several months, a television transmitter has been broadcasting on a regular schedule in New York city. A new station is soon to go on the air with increased power in Jersey City. From Pittsburgh, experimental television signals can be received regularly.
Another station has been on the air on an abbreviated regular schedule from Washington, D. C., for some time. In New England, we have one station which has been on the air intermittently for the past year. In Chicago, one station is now on the air regularly and another is building a very modern television studio and transmission apparatus with prospects of being on a regular schedule later in the fall. On the Pacific coast, several experimental stations have been operating on irregular schedules.
The Federal Radio commission has been flooded with requests for licenses to broadcast experimental television schedules, and several such licenses have recently been granted, so that at least three more television broadcasting stations are being planned for this coming fall and winter. This looks like a very formidable array of transmitting stations.
However, it must be understood that none of these stations has yet put on the air signals intended to have an entertainment value. All transmitting is, frankly, experimental, and, in cases where regular schedules are being maintained, they are for the purpose of solving the difficulties and problems that must necessarily arise from regular sustained transmission.
This certainly describes W2XCP, which applied for a license in October 1929. We hear little about it after this.
Television got a boost in September from the annual Radio Fair in New York, but the broadcasts were of the closed-circuit type and not over a transmitter. Still, actually people (and animals) went on the air live, though the cameras of those days could pick up not much more than a head shot. This blog has avoided mentions of non-station special transmissions, but we make an exception this time to give you an idea of the people who appeared on television.
We also have stuck, almost without exception, to stories about television in the United States. However, this month marked the debut of TV on BBC, even though almost no one except reporters saw it. Due to the historic nature of the broadcast, we are passing along two stories from England.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1929
Motion Picture Broadcast Makes Progress at KDKA
By ROBERT D. HEINL
PlTTSBURG, Pa., Aug. 31—An impression was gained in a visit to the Westinghouse plant that distinct progress is being made in the broadcasting of motion pictures. Motion and still pictures are being sent daily from the television studio in Homestead works, thence by wire four miles to the KDKA transmitting station and broadcast from there to the Farm, as the short wave receiving station is known about six miles northeast.
Ordinary moving picture films are used and such subjects being shown a Krazy Kat and Pathe current news events. It was explained that motion pictures were chosen because they are more difficult to than actual objects. However, at the Homestead television studios, scanning devices are also available for the broadcasting of living subjects. A television studio is indeed a curious looking place and with its bright lights not unlike a moving picture studio.
Formerly because of the makeshift apparatus, an observer was constantly reminded of the experimental nature of television, but there is little of this in evidence at Pittsburg. The transmitting apparatus is of a substantial character and finished in appearance. The reels whirl in the same businesslike way as for a regular motion picture and with countless operators the scene presented in the television studio is similar to one so frequently seen in the projection booth of an ordinary movie theater.
Looks Like Going Concern
Likewise there is the air of a going concern at the receiving end. Not a lot of loose junk wired together but the apparatus compactly assembled on a table and resembling a camera outfit about the size a professional photographer uses. Also a thing one rarely sees in an experimental laboratory—the floor was neatly swept. Viewing a television picture recalls vividly the way we used to look at old time motion pictures in a kinetoscope, excepting that here in a darkened room sees the picture by peering into a long cylinder sometimes standing as far as five feet back to get the right focus.
The moving pictures being broadcast at Pittsburg are as yet small, about three by four inches in size but larger than the Bell telephone pictures being sent over wires in color which are only as big as a postage stamp. In both the Westinghouse and the Bell demonstrations, however, the details of the pictures are surprisingly sharp and distinct.
“If we make as much improvement in the next six months in broadcasting motion pictures as we have in the past six,” a Westinghouse official remarked, “we will really be able to report progress. As soon as we get one thing lacked we go after the next.”
Let not the reader gather from this that any definite time has been set when the last thing will be “licked” or when we may expect to receive regular television broadcasts into our homes. It may be just around the corner and again it may be years. At the moment research is being carried on along two lines. The first is perfecting quality of the transmitted picture and the second is the effort being made by radio manufacturers to design a receiver or an attachment to go on radio sets, capable of receiving broadcast pictures and selling at a price within reach of the general public. (Springfield Daily Republican)
New Television Permit
A television broadcasting license has been granted to WENR. The Chicago station has been allocated the visual broadcasting channel ranging from 2,850 to 2,950 kilocycles by the radio commission for television transmission on regular schedule with 5,000 watts power. There are now approximately a dozen stations licensed to broadcast television but all are on an experimental basis. (Indianapolis Star)
Daily Television
With the opening of its new television station on the outskirts of Washington, D. C., the Jenkins Television company has announced that it will provide daily television transmission for fans. (Ponca City News)
Television Men Placed in Cage
For good and sufficient reasons, television workers are placed in wire cages, these days. We hasten to explain that the reasons are purely electrical, and not psychological. In brief, the men who handle the delicate film pick-up mechanism which converts film images into radiomovie signals, for transmission over station W2CXR, the Jenkins television transmitter in Jersey City, are obliged to work in grounded copper mesh cages which keep out all stray radio signals disturbances or inductive disturbances.
The pick-up apparatus and amplifier for radiomovies are exceptionally delicate and suscepible to extraneous interference, we are told by the engineers of the Jenkins Television Corporation. Unusual precautions must be taken by way of thorough shielding against stray radio signals ae well as inductive disturbances within the laboratory building and even from outside sources. Aside from the large copper mesh cage, which serves as a generaI shielding of all the apparatus, there are individual copper covers and partitions for the various pieces of sensitive equipment, while the critical conductors are copper sheathed. Only in this manner, we are assured, can satisfactory television signals be broadcast free from troublesome streaks and specks due to interference. (Nashville Banner)
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1929
Voice and Image Go Together Over Wire
Entertainment for both the eye and the ear, through a simultaneous transmission of clear television images and the voice of the televised person over wires, which its designers say can be broadcast over any radio station in New York with the same success, using existing broadcast apparatus, was demonstrated here yesterday [2] in the studio and laboratory of the Baird Television Corporation.
The images were clear enough for the observer to read newspaper headlines a quarter of an inch in height or to identify an unfamiliar face seen on the television screen from a picture of the person displayed after the demonstration. A section of a newspaper was held before the te1evision. The observer in another room at the other end of the wire system recognized a well-known make of automobile. The voice of the person at the televisor, by means of a microphone and a loud speaker linked with the system, came through to the observer continually, in perfect synchronism with the movement of his lips as seen in the visual instrument.
Captain Jarrard Directs Tests.
The demonstration was made over wires between the studio of the Baird Television Corporation in the Paramount Building and a special laboratory on Forty-fifth Street, under the direction of Captain W. J. Jarrard, representative of the Baird interests in America. The apparatus used, developed in this country on the system employed in England by John L. Baird, Scottish inventor, employ only the frequency facilities which could he applied to any program broadcaster and hence could be easily transferred from wires to an existing station in New York, said Captain Jarrard. Ultimately, it is planned to broadcast both voices and images over the same radio wave, not by using films of the talking motion-picture type which has been demonstrated in this country and abroad, but by using living persons and their voices, he added.“What you have seen here today of our progress with images over wires, equiva1ent to ‘10-kilocycle’ radio transmission,” said Captain Jarrard, “is now to become a reality on the radio in England. I have been informed today by cablegram from London that the British Broadcasting, The British Postoffice and Baird have at last come to an agreement and experiments are to start immediately.”
Captain Jarrard referred to a definite program of image and sound broadcasts to go on the air in London over 2LO and other B. B. C. stations for reception by special experimenters. Broadcasts from films, which have hitherto been limited in their application in England because of the attitude of the postoffice authorities, have been called “tele-talkies” by Baird and his associates. Speaking of Baird’s laboratory demonstrations. Captain Jarrard said:
“In the production of ‘tele-talkies’ Baird utilizes a film (like sound films in this country) and simply transmits the sound on one wave and the image on another. The importance of sending speech with vision is immensely accentuated where ‘tele-talkies’ is concerned. Owing to the fact that only the narrow waveband (10 kilocycles) can be used, both television and ‘tele-talkies’ are limited to somewhat restricted scenes, such as one or two persons speaking or singing. Such subjects, when seen only, without the accompanying sounds, have very little interest compared with a combination of vision and sound. The sound helps the vision and the vision helps the sound. The combination is infinitely superior to one or the other separately.”
Rapid Development Expected
The accord reached by the British Postoffice, the British broadcasting concern and Baird interests is expected to pave the way for rapid development of television and sound sent simultaneously over the radio from the living entertainer. The British authorities formerly had been steadfast in their assertions that television on the radio in its “present state” would not serve public interest.
Captain Jarrard said also that his company’s vision and sound system has been accepted for an hour daily over Radio Belgique, one of the most powerful stations of Belgium; that tele-talkies will be demonstrated soon in cooperation with the German Postoffice offic1als at the German radio exposition, and that other television broadcasts are being planned in Australia, South Africa, Spain and France. In Germany the Baird interests are said to be allied with the Bosch Magneto Corporation, the Carl Zeiss 1ens concern and the Loewe Radio Company for tele-talkie development, broadcast of which are now on the air over the Witzleben and Koenigswusterhausen stations in Berlin. (New York Times, Sept. 3)
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1929
BOSTON TO HAVE TELEVISION STATION
Boston is soon to have television. This was made known yesterday [4] by the Federal Radio Commission which has issued a construction permit to the Shortwave & Television Laboratories, a local concern located on Brookline av. The announcement issued by the commission gives the Shortwave & Television Laboratories permission to try experimental television on the 2000 to 100-kilocycle band with a power of 500 watts [later known as W1XAV].
Coincident with the announcement made by the Federal Commission came a statement from A. M. Morgan, who is in charge of the Shortwave & Television Laboratories. Mr Morgan started that his company expects to have its station in operation within 30 days. He also stated that plans for effecting a tieup of the television broadcast with sound broadcast so that programs given local radio fans might be visible as well as audible. (Boston Globe, Sept. 5)
JENKINS CO. ASKS LICENSE RENEWAL
WASHINGTON, Sept. 5.—Jenkins Television Company, of Jersey City, N. J., yesterday [4] applied to the Federal Radio Commission for renewal of its license on the same frequencies and power as now used. The Television Company broadcasts throughout the New York district. (Home News, New Brunswick, N.J.)
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1929
DRAMA IS SENT BY JENKINS IN TELEVISION TEST
WASHINGTON, D. C., Sept 7.—Television has turned the corner, declared E. R. Haas, director of the National Radio Institute, Washington, D. C., after the encouraging results from the Jenkins television broadcast over Station W2AX were made known here recently.
For the first time in history, a complete picture story was televised. This “television drama” was on the air one hour. Reports of its satisfactory reception were received from points as far west as Chicago, and as far north as Lexington, Mass. Station attendants expect several days to elapse before all reports are received.
The program was the first of a series to be sent out regularly from 8 to 9 p. m., eastern standard time, over the new 1,500-watt power transmitter recently installed about five miles north of Washington. D. C. The series was inaugurated in the presence of radio commission officials.
Dr. Jenkins shared the enthusiasm of friends, radio engineers, and television fans who witnessed or took part in this epoch-making event.
“I confidently predict,” concluded Director Haas, “that the public will take a keen interest in these broadcasts, and a big impetus will be given to the further development of television which will usher in a new era of opportunity for radio men and the general public.” (Atlanta Journal, Sept. 8)
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1929
Drama is Sent by Radio Television
Schenectady, N. Y., Sept. 11.— Broadcast television today made its initial, appearance as a vehicle of drama. In a one act play, having a cast of two characters, engineers of the General Electric company, demonstrated to a party of newspaper men that at television, synchronized with the regular form of radio broadcast, can be used to present the radio audience with both the sight and sound of drama.
The drama shown at the company’s radio studio today appeared on a screen a few inches square and displayed only the head of the characters with the moving images of small stage proportions introduced as effects. The spoken portion of the drama was broadcast thru regular radio channels by the company’s station.
The broadcast of television scenes with figures in full length and background in some detail is in the not far distant future, the engineers indicated. This apparatus, of larger proportions than the broadcast apparatus, so far has not been adopted to broadcast wave lengths and therefore must remain for the time being as a laboratory demonstration, said the experimenters.
The television apparatus used in the broadcast of the drama was simplified and portable set developed by Dr. Alexanderson. The broadcast by the drama was made possible thru the use of three television outfits constituting, so far as the receiving apparatus was concerned, a single camera. The three units were connected with a single broadcasting outfit and thru the use of a director’s control switch the individual action of each character was sent in consecutive order to the receiving apparatus.
The broadcast was from a distance of three miles and on a wave length of 397.5 meters. The image on the television screen possessed the clarity of the average newspaper photo. (Plattsmouth Journal, Sept. 13)
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1929
NIGHTLY RADIO MOVIE PROGRAMS BEING SENT.
WASHINGTON (AP).—Transmission of nightly moving picture programs has been inaugurated by W3XK, the new Jenkins television station, near here. The old station operated on 46 meters. The new one is sending on 100 meters, or 2900 kilocycles. The pictures are of 48 lines and are being transmitted on a band 100 kilocycles wide.
The programs are being given from 8 to 9 o’clock each night except Sunday. Moving pictures and cartoon stories are being transmitted now. Later images of living persons will be sent, C. Francis Jenkins, head of the television company, says.
Completely new equipment has been installed in the station. The power of the old transmitter, which was located in the heart of Washington and consequently subject to considerable Interference, was only 50 watts. The new transmitter has potential power of 5000 watts, although 1500 are being used at present. (Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Sept. 14)
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1929
HILL INVESTIGATES TELEVISION CLAIMS
By MARTIN CODEL.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 18. (NANA)—A double mission took Capt. Guy Hill, army signal corps officer, who has been acting as chief engineer for the federal radio commission, to Chicago today.
First, he intends to investigate the claims of station WIBO that it can transmit television images within a 10-kilocycle band of wave lengths, a narrower spacing than has hitherto been regarded possible for good results.
Secondly, he will inspect the plant and operations of the Universal Wireless Communications Company at Plainfield, Ill.
Captain Hill left here today, to be gone the remainder of the week. In Chicago, he will be guided about by Harold Hayes, department of commerce radio supervisor. An incidental visit will be paid Chicago’s police radio station for purposes of inspection.
Considerable curiosity surrounds the WIBO television experiments because of the claims made. Commissioner H. A. Lafount, after a recent visit in Chicago, stated he witnessed excellent reception of moving images.
In this case, two prize fighters In action, on a screen eight inches square. Not being a technician, Mr. Lafount could not say whether the transmission was being accomplished within the exceedingly narrow spacing claimed. Actual persons were used as the television subjects.
The Nelson brothers, who are the experimenters, have advised the commission that they now can show televised subjects that are recognizable and clear on a 14-inch square screen, maintaining the transmission within the same 10-kilocycle limits.
If this can be done the Chicagoans have made rapid strides forward in this newest phase of radio progress. It is understood an effort will be made to commercialize the development.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1929
WASHINGTON, Sept. 21—The Radio Commission yesterday [20] granted to R. C. A. Communications, Inc., at Bound Brook, N.J., the use through its experimental station W2XL, of 2850-2950 kilocycles for television but denied its application regarding relay broadcasting.
The same corporation obtained a construction permit for a new station at Chicago, using 500 watts power and a frequency of 1712 kilocycles.
The commission yesterday granted four other radio changes. (Plainfield Courier-News)
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1929
Television Exhibit at the Radio Fair
By MARTIN CODEL
NEW YORK, Sept. 23 (NANA)—Only enough to pique the imagination is being revealed at the television exhibit here at the radio world's fair. Yet it is sufficient to arouse more interest and curiosity than any other feature of an exposition otherwise marked by a paucity of startlingly new developments in radio equipment. Crude but distinctly recognizable features were discernible today on a fourteen inch square screen of ground glass which is set against a black cloth background in a darkened room at one corner of Madison Square Garden, The image or images move and speak; their motions are plain and their voices coming thru a loud speaker just over the screen, are clear.
The visitor at the television exhibit walks past a platform on which stars of Broadway musical shows sing or other celebrities speak while seated before the television apparatus developed by Dr. E. F. W. Alexanderson, General Electric company research scientist, in collaboration with Dr. Frank Conrad of Westinghouse and Dr. Alfred N. Goldsmith of the Radio Corporation of America.
The television subjects sit before a revolving scanning disc with forty eight apertures placed in spiral formation at its outer edges. Each of the holes has a small lens which concentrates the light reflecting the objected being televised into photoelectric cells. The light images are virtually made up of pencil points of light before being transformed into electrical energy and transmitted.
In this case, carrier waves on wires bring the signals to the receiving set in the dark room nearby. The receiver has a disc revolving in synchronism with the transmitter's disc. Neon lamps behind the discs throw the reflections on the screen in a pinkish glow.
Twenty such completed images are transmitted per second, each representing a fractional change in motion by the subject, just as the several pictures on a motion picture reel represent changes in motion. Radio energy could carry the television images as well as wires, if not better, but it is more convenient In the exposition hall to use wires for the short distance of the transmission. The keen young men who are operating the apparatus are enigmatic about its commercial portents, but one of them admitted freely that the current demonstrations do not represent all the latest developments in television at their command.
Television Not Yet Perfected
New York, Sept. 23 (AP)—Television has stepped temporarily from the laboratory for another public demonstration, not much changed in appearance or fundamentals over a year ago.
Except for a slightly larger picture that can be thrown on a 14 by 14 Inch screen and an improved neon lamp in the receiver to increase the light intensity for better detail, television progress has not been such as to warrant any change in the statement of a year ago that the time of reception of practical movies in the home still is some distance away.
The first public demonstration since 1928 will be held during the week of the radio fair in New York beginning today to be followed by another at the Chicago radio show October 21 to 27 inclusive.
The setup consists of a transmitter before which the person to be televised sits, and a miniature theater, draped to exclude outside light, where the pictures are received and thrown on a small screen. Wires connect transmitter and receiver, no attempt being made to link the two by radio channels. When pictures are put into air, transmission and reception problems increase many fold. Brief television acts are to be given, and watchers will hear the voice of the sitter being fed into the theater from a microphone beside the televisor, over a separate wire leading to a loud speaker placed just above the screen.
The demonstration, under the auspices of the Radio Corporation of America is in charge of R. D. Kell, assistant to Dr. Alexanderson of the General Electric laboratories at Schenectady.
Improvements of a year center in the development of the Moore neon lamp used in the reproducer to project the received copy of the electrical energy in the form of light through a scanning disk. This lamp, the resuit of the continued efforts of Dr. R. McFarland Moore, gives a much stronger ray, resulting in a sharper picture. A current of 150 milliampers can be put into it, compared with 50 or less heretofore.
Twenty pictures are transmitted per second, with 48 lines per picture, comparable to a newspaper cut having 80 dots per square inch. Before being amplified to fit the 14 by 14-inch screen, the picture is about an inch and a half square. The enlargement is by a lens similar to that in a moving picture projector.
The wire channel used provides a frequency path 20 kilocycles, twice as wide as the 10 kilocycle band for the broadcasting of sound.
Last year the picture shown was 12 inches square and was not so plain. Even with the improvements, it flickers considerably, somewhat like the early movies, although it contains virtually the same amount of detail. This flicker is one of the problems to be overcome, the engineers said.
Good detail is obtainable only where a head is projected. If a scene such as a play is attempted, much of the action is lost.
Largely because of the extremely high cost of the present apparatus and the many problems to be overcome before television is sufficiently developed to be practical, Mr. Kell would make no prediction as to the future status of the science. He said considerable time must elapse before television would be a factor in broadcasting.
RADIO SHOW OPENS GATES AT MADISON SQ. GARDEN TODAY
The progress of radio since its inception, and particularly during the past year, and the radio hopes of the f[u]ture will be revealed to visitors to the Radio World’s Fair, which is opening this afternoon.
Actual television demonstrations, broadcasts of famous N. B. C. and C. B. S. features, models of the latest sets, reproductions in miniature of transoceanic transmitting and receiving stations and presentation of radio notables are outstanding among the features to enlighten and entertain guests today.
The formal opening takes place at 7:30 o’clock this evening, when Sir Thomas Lipton, English yachting sportsman; Congressman Wallace White of Maine, father of the present radio law; Count Felix von Luckner, the German sea-raider, and Olive Shea, chosen as the most beautiful radio artist in America, will be presented to the crowds.
Visitors will see moving television pictures, transmitted by perhaps the most perfect apparatus yet constructed, of many notables, including Mayor James J. Walker, Sir Thomas Lipton and many stage, screen and radio favorites. The schedule for today follows:
2:00—Freddy Coots, song writer.
2:30—Blossom Seely, actress.
3:00—Beautiful girls from John Murray Anderson’s “Almanac.”
3:30—Miss Helen Flint, co-star, “N[deleted] Rich,” comedy-drama.
4:00—Jack Valle, uklulele [sic] character star.
4:30—Edith Franklin, the Mystery Girl.
5:00—Priscilla Holbrook, Wizard of the Blacks and Whites.
7:30—Paramount-Publix stars, Mayor Walker, Sir Thomas Lipton; also Claudette Colbert, Walter Huston, Charles Ruggles, Paul Ash, Nino Martini, Bradford Brown, C. B. S. announcer; Louis Whitten, guest announcer, and Miss Olive Shea, “Miss Radio of 1929.”
8:30—Henry Burbig, humorist of CeCo Couriers; Norman Brokenshire, C. B. S. announcer; Harriet Lee, Merle Johnson.
9:00—Irene Bordoni, musical comedy and picture star.
9:30—Barnum & Bailey, two White Elephants.
10:00—Phillips Carlin, N. B. C. announcer.
10:10—Curt Petersen, N. B. C. announcer.
10:30—George Frame Brown, Matt Thompson of “Real Folks,” and “Real Folks” cast in costume.
10:40—“Around the Samovar,” C. B. S. feature.
10:50—Snedden Weir, N. B. C. announcer.
10:55—Eli Stivack; Bradford Brown, C. B. S. announcer. (Brooklyn Daily Eagle)
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1929
Babe Ruth Scheduled for Television Show.Following is the [Radio] show’s Television schedule [at Madison Square Garden], which includes “Babe” Ruth and other personalities.
1:00—Don Ball, C. B. S. announcer, with the Columbia Radio Show Troupe.
2:00—Minna Gombell, featured in new play, “Nancy’s Private Affair.”
3:00—Evelyn Herbert, star of “New Moon”; Irene Delroy of “Follow Thru.”
3:30—Ray Sinnott, “Gloom’s Enemy.”
4:00—Ralph Rainger and Adam Carroll, featured Twin Piano Act from “The Little Show” and beautiful girls.
4:30—“Red” Solomon, 13-year-old boy signed by the Chicago Cubs baseball team.
5:00—Patrick Kelly, N. B. C. announcer.
6:30—Alice Foote MacDougal Orchestra; Frank Knight, N. B. C. announcer.
7:30—Babe Ruth.
7:40—Edward Thorgersen, N. B. C. announcer.
8:00—Yascha Bunchunk, conduc[t]or of the Capitol Grand Orchestra, with his $30,000 ‘cello and Ballet Girls from the Capitol Theater.
8:10—John S. Young, N. B. C. announcer.
8:30—Arthur Allen of Socony Land Sketches; David Ross, C. B. S. announcer; Freddie Rich, orchestra leader of the Sonatron Hour.
9:00—Paul Whiteman and Old Gold stars; Ted Husing, C. B. S. announcer; Rhythm Boys [with Bing Crosby]; Mildred Bailey; Ponce Sisters.
9:30—Ralph Wentworth, C. B. S. announcer; David Mendoza; Willy Ropyn [sic]. (Brooklyn Daily Eagle)
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1929
Following is the television broadcast schedule [from the Radio Show at Madison Square Garden] for today.
1:00—Edith Franklin, the Mystery Girl.
1:30—Lambert Fairchild, aldermanic candidate.
2:00—Clayton, Jackson and Durante.
2:30—Cast of Earl Carroll’s “Sketch Book.”
2:45—Hugh Watson, C.B.S. Announcer.
3:00—Bailey & Barnum, Two White Elephants.
3:30—Clarence Willard, the man who grows, will grow eight inches before the Television camera.
4:00—Celvin Keetch [sic], N.B.C. announcer.
4:30—Priscilla Holbrook, pianist.
5:00—Radio Fair Ensemble, Bradford Brown, C.B.S. announcer.
5:30—Jack Valle, uke and character impersonation.
6:00—Edith Franklin.
7:00—Ludwig Laurier.
7:30—Herbert Diamond Entertainers; David Ross, C.B.S. announcer; Will Osborne.
8:00—John Murray Anderson, of “Almanac” fame, in person.
8:30—Roxy Theater Gang; Alois Havrilla, guest announcer; Gladys Rice, Erno Rappe, Judson House, Beatrice Belkin, Ethel Louise Wright, Willy Robyn.
9:00—Rudy Weidorf, sax virtuoso.
9:10—Milton J. Cross, N.B.C. announcer.
9:30—Estelle Taylor, motion picture star and wife of Jack Dempsey.
9:40—Snedden Weir, N.B.C. announcer.
10:00—Johnny Green, Millionaire Song Writer.
10:30—Bailey & Barnum.
10:35—Dixie Echoes.
10:40—Phillips Carlin. N.B.C. announcer; Olive Palmer, Paul Oliver Elizabeth Lenox, the Revelers and Gustav Henschen. (Brooklyn Daily Eagle)
Roxy Ballet Dances For Television Test
Dancers in the Roxy Ballet Corps have been recruited to participate in experiments to determine the ideal feminine type for television broadcasting. The tests were given at Madison Square Garden Wednesday [25] as a special feature of the Radio World’s Fair.
Those selected represent perfect type of the red head, the blond and the brunette. Irene McBride and Julia Diamant, outstanding types of the brunette beauty, will be pitted against Ann Fleming and Lo Reitzig, blonds, with Patrician Bowman, premiere danseuse of the Roxy, as the intermediate red head. (Atlanta Journal, Sept. 29)
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1929
Programs to be broadcast from the Radio Show [at Madison Square Garden] today are:
The television schedule follows:
2:00—Characters from “Remote Control,” Patricia Barclay, Concuolo Flowerton, Walter Greaze and Hobart Cavanaugh.
2:30—Bradford Brown, C. B. S., announcer.
3:00—Lambert Fairchild.
3:15—Crystal Studio Serenaders, Don Ball, C. B. S., announcer.
3:30—Edith Franklin, the Mystery Girl.
4:00—Ray Sinnott, “Gloom’s Enemy.”
4:30—Priscilla Holbrook.
5:00—Ruth Morgan of “Whoopee.”
5:10—Howard Butler, N. B. C., announcer.
5:30—Jack Valle, ukulele.
6:00—Edith Franklin, the Mystery Girl.
7:10—Snedden Wir, N. B. C., announcer, Ludwig Laurier, N. B. C., announcer.
7:30—Edward Thorgersen, N. B. C., announcer.
8:00—Vincent Lopez.
8:10—Bebe Daniels.
8:20—John Held, Jr., Phillips Carlin, N. B. C. announcer.
8:30—Bailey & Barnum.
9:00—May Singhi Green and Peter DeRoss.
9:10—Welcome Lewis, Graham McNamee, National Cavaliers, Ben Pollack.
9:30—Theo. Alban, tenor.
9:40—Seiberling Singers with Paul DuMont, N. B. C. announcer.
10:00—Joe Murray and Mary Quillin McCrory in “Hits and Bits of Scotch.”
10:15—Gold Seal program with Benny Kruger and Charlotte Woodruff. Ted Husing, C. B. S., announcer.
10:30—Curt Peterson, N. B. C., announcer.
10:40—Edward Thorgersen, N. B. C., announcer. (Brooklyn Daily Eagle)
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1929
DE FOREST MAKES BIG TO JENKINS TELEVISION
The board of directors of the De Forest Radio Co. has authorized an offer to purchase the stock of the Jenkins Television Corporation.
In accordance with the plan submitted to stockholders, it is proposed to exchange stocks on the basis of one share of De Forest no par common for one and three-quarters shares of Jenkins no par stock.
The offer expires October 18. (Brooklyn Times Union, Sept. 27)
PRESENTING MEDAL TO BYRD OPERATOR AT SHOW TONIGHTMalcolm Hanson, chief wireless operator of the Byrd Expedition in the Antarctic, will be awarded the gold medal of the Veteran Wireless Operators’ Association for the most distinguished performance in wireless communication in 1928, at the Crystal Studio of the Radio World’s Fair at 8:30 o’clock tonight.
Following is the television schedule:
2:00—Bailey & Barnum.
2:30—Tony Sarg and his Marionettes.
2:40—Columbia Radio Show Troupe; Don Ball, C. B. S., announcer.
3:00—Tatters-in-Prints, C. B. S. feature; Bill Bradley, C. B. S. announcer.
3:30—Jack Powell and Charles Barnes, featured in Murray Anderson’s “Almanac.”
4:00—Jack Valle, ukulele.
4:30—Edith Franklin, the mystery girl.
5:00—Howard Butler, N. B. C., announcer.
5:30—Priscilla Holbrook, pianist.
6:40—Snedden Weir, N. B. C., announcer.
7:30—Norman Sweetser, N. B. C., announcer, and Lee Stevens.
7:40—Beau Brummel.
8:00—Ralph Rainger and Adam Carroll, featured twin piano act of “The Little Show.”
8:20—Norman Brokenshire, C. B. S., announcer.
8:30—The Howard Fashion Plates.
9:00—Paul Tremain, Sax Virtuoso and his Aristocrats of Music.
9:10—Rosario Bourdon, Cities Service program; Edward Thourgersen [sic], N. B. C., announcer.
9:30—Ray Sinnott, ukulele.
9:40—Billy Jones and Ernest Hare; Curt Peterson, N. B. C. announcer.
10:00—Arthur Pryor; Arthur Allen and Louis Mason, “Gus and Louie”; John S. Young, N. B. C., announcer.
10:40—Norman Brokenshire, C. B. S., announcer.
10:50—David Ross, C. B. S., announcer. (Brooklyn Daily Eagle)
Prospect is Distant For Commercial Television
By B. A. SCHWARZ.
Chief Engineer, De Forest Crosley, Limited.
Over-optimism and enthusiasm is apparent concerning television development. Although a great army of scientists, engineers, experimenters and inventors are working on it, numerous baffling problems still exist.
The most difficult of these problems is to secure detail with any sizeable image. The image to be transmitted is converted into a series of dots by means of a rotating disc on which appears a succession of apertures arranged in spiral so that these apertures sweep the picture or the subject to be transmitted. The principle is primarily the same as the motion picture camera, working on a succession of changes taking place at an interval of about one-sixteenth of a second. At this rate the eye cannot arrest each change in motion, and hence the image appears continuous. These dots transmitted vary in intensity as the light and shadow of the subject is graded.
This accumulation of dots of graded shadow intensity is exactly the same as the newspaper half-tone picture, except that is the latter we have 3,600 dots per square inch, and thus but little white space is left between them and the detail is quite complete. A picture one inch square would not be satisfactory, of course, and to magnify it would simply add to the white spaces between the dots.
Thus to make a picture which might be properly viewed, it would be necessary to have one four or five inches square and would need, roughly, a total of 17,000 to 21,000 dots. Since all of these must be transmitted in less than one-sixteenth of a second, transmission at a rate of 272,000 to 336,000 dot elements per second would be required. This would necessitate a transmission band width about 27 to 33 times as wide as that used at present for music and speech broadcast. Thus only three or four broadcasting stations could transmit in the present broadcast band at one time within the range of reception of the receiver. The difficulties of attempting to broadcast such a broad band with equal intensity and then to receive it without distortion are at present stubborn problems.
Another problem is present, inasmuch as the receiver scanning disc must synchronize with that of the transmitting station. There is no problem in large cities where the frequency of current would be identically the same at the transmitting and receiving stations, but in rural communities or localities where a different frequency is used, we must resort to mechanical governors or other methods of speed control. This is not a very serious but nevertheless one requiring greater perfection.
The use of photo cells at the transmitter and neon glow lamps at the receiver, and the proper illumination of the images, have been favored with very satisfactory and rapid development. Experimentation with scanning discs or drums is in very capable hands also, and very great improvement has been shown. But a useful, worthwhile addition to present broadcast and remove it from its present state experimental interest a great deal of work must be done. It would seem at present as if several years of research and experience will be required before the state of perfection required for every-day commercial use is attained. (Ottawa Citizen)
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1929
RADIO SHOW ENDS TONIGHT; RECORD CROWD ATTENDEDWith an anticipated attendance for the week of 306,000 visitors, the sixth annual Radio World’s Fair closes tonight at the Madison Square Garden at 11 o’clock. The figure is said to constitute a record for attendance at previous radio shows.
Following is the Fair’s last day television schedule.
2:00 p.m—Edith Franklyn, the Mystery girl.
2:30—Columbia Radio Show Troupe—William Bradley, C. B. S. announcer.
3:00—Bailey and Barnum.
3:30—Neel Enslen, N. B. C. announcer.
4:00—Jack Valle, ukulele.
4:30—Milton J. Cross, N. B. C. announcer.
5:00—Radio World’s Fair Ensemble—Hugh Walton, C. B. S. announcer.
5:30—Priscilla Holbrook, pianist.
7:30—Welcome Lewis, Snedded Weir, N. B. C. announcers.
8:00—Bela Lublow, conductor Lublow’s Hungarian Ensemble.
8:10—Littman Entertainers; Norman Brokenshire, C. B. S. announcer; Fred Buchner, Byron Halliday, Helen Richards.
8:30—Erminie Canoway, the Texas Tomboy.
8:40—Nit Wits, Bradford Brown, N. B. C. announcer; Margaret Young, Lucille Black, Harry Swan.
9:00—Bailey & Barnum, the Globe Trotters.
9:10—Curt Pedersen, N. B. C. announcer.
9:30 p.m.—Romany Patterson, Don Ball, C. B. S. announcer; Emory Deutch.
10:00—Paramount-Publix Stars, Louis Witten, guest announcer; Frank Knight, C. B. S. announcer; Vino Martini, David Mendoza, Dorothy Baughman, Veronica Wiggins, Paramount Male Quartet. (Brooklyn Daily Eagle)
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1929
TELEVISION FROM 2L0.
Sitting in a dark room in Long Acre, London, to-day a number of men gazed into a round glass eight inches in diameter.
Suddenly an eerie picture appeared—a black face with white lips and white hair, and a voice came from the loud speaker, “Good morning everybody, Sir Ambrose Fleming speaking.”
It was the first television transmission broadcast from 2L0. Officials of the Baird Television Company, whose process was being used in the experiment, watched the test in a receiver in their Long Acre offices, but when the picture of the black-faced man appeared the operator of the wireless set burst out laughing.
BACKWARDS!
“The BBC are sending the picture out backwards,” he said. “We are seeing the negative instead of the positive.”
A messenger hurried downstairs, and a little later the oblong of light disappeared, to reappear presently with the face its natural colouring. Listeners in and “seers-in” were able to see the faces as well as hear the voices of those who took part in the broadcast but they were not able to hear and see at the same time.
A message was read from Mr. William Graham, the President of the Board of Trade, and Mr. “Sid” Howard, the comedian, gave a short talk.
MR. BAIRD SATISFIED
Mr. Baird said he was quite satisfied with the broadcast. Mr. Baird added that the only sets at present in the country were the one at his home and one or two others belonging to his friends. As the face of a girl was coming through indistinctly Mr. Baird pointed out that men’s faces broadcast better than women’s.
At present a complete wireless set for speech and vision costs about £90, but an attachment for adding to an ordinary wireless set can be made for about £12. (Birmingham Evening Despatch)
TELEVISION TESTS.
Famous Scientist on the Next Step.
From a Special Correspondent.
”What will television do next? Will it be possible for a man to watch a football match without stirring from his own fireside?”
After the first television broadcast by the B. B. C. to-day I put these questions to Professor Sir John Ambrose Fleming, whose invention of the thermionic valve made wireless broadcasting possible for the public.We stood in a room at the headquarters of the Baird Television Company where, a few minutes before, an intent audience had watched the arrival through the ether of the televised faces of men and women. They were broadcast through 2L0 from a studio in another part of the building. The face of Sir Ambrose Fleming himself, with its white moustache and bushy eyebrows and its crown of silvery hair, was among them.
“You have just seen one face transmitted at a time,” Sir Ambrose said. “The next step will be to achieve the transmission of more comprehensive images such as those of football and cricket matches in progress.
“I think it could be done by placing a large mirror on the field of play. This would reflect a wide section of the scene for transmission by television.
“The mirror could be moved about if necessary. Despite its large size it would be easily portable.
Transmitting Colours
“Already in this building colours have been transmitted by television. One day a man whose image was being transmitted placed a policeman’s helmet on his head, then tied a red scarf round it. The blue of the helmet and the colour of the scarf came through perfectly.
“The contours of the face are so plainly revealed in transmission that the effect suggests a stereoscopic film.”
No members of the public received the television transmission through 2L0 to-day because televisor sets are not yet available to them.
A high-pitched burring noise from the set, which stood on a table at one end of the room, warned us that the television broadcast was about to begin. We heard a voice reading a message from Mr. William Graham, President of the Board of Trade. He said he looked to television to provide a new industry for Britain and the British Empire; then Sir Ambrose Fleming, as president of the Television Society, was heard congratulating the Baird Company and the B.B.C. on the new departure in broadcasting.
Sent Out Backward
Through a round glass, about eight inches in diameter, we saw a flickering oblong of reddish light—a picture of wireless waves. Then what seemed to be a black face appeared.
“Why,” said the operator of the set, “Sir Ambrose’s picture is being sent out backwards. We are seeing the negative instead of the positive.”
A messenger ran downstairs, and not long afterwards Sir Ambrose’s face again flickered into view, this time in the positive.
Afterwards we saw the face of Mr. Sidney Howard, the comedian—saw it smile and saw its eloquent eyebrows move as he gave a humorous talk about television.
Two girls broadcast musical items. When it was pointed out to Mr. Baird that their faces came through less distinctly than the faces of the men, he said that men’s faces were usually best for broadcasting.
“I am delighted with the result of this broadcast,” he added. “The sounds and images have also been received at Savoy Hill, at the General Post Office, and at my private house on Box Hill.
“There are very few sets in existence yet, and we do not propose that there shall be any television on a large scale until a suitable programme can be provided on two wave-lengths. (Evening Standard, London
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1929
If You Can Get It WENR Has an Air Circus Going
[A]n increasing number of television signals are being put into the air to be heard and seen by those who possess special apparatus.
Latest to join the ranks is WENR, Chicago, which has just been granted a license by the Federal Radio Commission to operate [W9XR] in the 100-kilocycle band. At present only 50 watts are being used, with a scheduled increase soon to 5,000.
The time of operation daily is from 3 to 4 and 7 to 10 p. m. The new television plant is, like the broadcast transmitter, at Downers Grove, 30 miles from Chicago.
A specially prepared moving picture film is being put into the air. It gives a number of circus views and geometric figures y which “seers” can check distortion.
To those possessing pickup apparatus Chief Engineer E. H. Gager announces that in “scanning” there are 24 lines a picture and fifteen pictures a second, from left to right and top to bottom. Soon the number of lines will be increased to 48.
Another Chicago television plant is in immediate prospect for WMAQ is seeking permission to transmit motion pictures and other subjects from a special studio. (Dean S. Kintner column, Cleverland Plain Dealer)
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1929
TELEVISION STATION SOON
Within 30 days, the television broadcasting stations, known as the W-2-XCP, being erected by the Freed Eisemann Radio will begin to broadcast regular programs from the Allwood, N. J. plant of the Freed Eisemann Radio Corp. At the present time, the antenna has been erected; and the equipment is alrady [sic] radiating energy during the preliminary tests which are being made prior to the broadcasting of regular programs. Both wave lengths granted to the corporation, 2,000 to 2,100 kilocycles and 2,850 to 2,980 kilocycles, will be utilized.
It is expected that the Dodge Twins, noted Broadway stars, and many other theatrical luminaries, together with the governor of New Jersey will be present at the inauguration of programs from this station. While the station has been built and will be run for the purpose of developing television apparatus, it will also enrich the programs available to the group of television enthusiasts who are building and operating their own receivers at the present time. There is no question, or doubt but that this little group of experimenters will be the forerunners of a tremendous group of men and women who will be receiving television entertainment in their own homes in the future, according to Joseph D. R. Freed, president of the Freed Eisemann Rardio [sic] Corp., who is personally supervising the erection of W-2-XCP.
While it is contended that from five years to a decade is almost sure to pass before televised programs in will present themselves on a home receiver basis, nevertheless the work by the experimenters at this particular time, is vital in the development of apparatus which might be retarded were it not for these enthusiasts. (Pittsburgh Press)
MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1929
Earl Television Station To Begin Broadcasting Within Thirty Days
The construction of the television station at the Earl Radio Corporation and the Freed-Eisemann Company’s plant in Allwood has progressed so rapidly that engineers announced today that experimental tests will be inaugurated this week. Actual operation of the station which will be known as W2XCP, will be started within a month.
Assigned Two Channels
Work was started last week on the antenna equipment. As soon as the preliminary tests have been completed, a regular schedule of broadcasting will be adopted on the two wave lengths the Radio Commission assigned to the station. 2,000 to 2,100 and 2,850 to 2,980 kilocycles.
Governor Morgan F. Larson will be asked to be the first subject to be televised at the inaugural program, plans for which have already been made, although a definite date has not been set.
The station is being built, it was explained, for the purpose of developing television apparatus. Although television is now practically in the laboratory, engineers believe it will take considerable time before it is perfected to the point where it will be on a basis comparable to audible broadcasting.
The companies announced that experimenters interested in constructing apparatus capable of receiving the station will be furnished with the necessary constructional data to build apparatus with which they can receive the program. (Passaic Daily News)
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1929
Chicago, Oct. 15. (U.P.)—Television struck the worst snag of all today when prospective television actresses learned that makeup they'd have to use would make them look "perfectly hideous."
So now it's up to the television magnates, whose hopes of sending movies through the air to be received on radio sets finally are bearing fruit, to make the actresses of the country "television conscious."
"And that's going to be none too easy." said Austin Rahe, New York television expert, who came to Chicago to direct the first professional television performance at the annual Chicago radio show.
Actresses Balk.
"When you tell a beautiful woman that she has to smear her face with layers of black grease paint to make lines which will register on television,” Rahe continued, "she's apt to balk."
It seems that for the past two years there have been television broadcasts going on quietly for a little group of fans all over the country who sit enthralled nightly while hazy pictures from the air flicker on little white screens set up among the maze of television apparatus in their homes.
In all these broadcasts, mere men have been the actors and their faces have been painted heavily enough to register upon even the crudest of television receivers. That, of course, was all right for the dyed-in-the-wool television fan who doesn't much care who or what he is looking at just so long as whoever or whatever it is comes over the air to be turned into pictures with the aid of his scanning disks, synchronized motors and other such technical things.
Radio Movies Planned.
But now the television manufacturers have come so far along in improving their apparatus that they hope to install their machines in period cabinets and make radio movies just as satisfactory as radio music. To do so they’ve got to get professional entertainers to act in their television shows.
And to do that some of the professionals will have to be women, because even the best of present day television performances are a bit draggy simply because the girls are not included in their casts. Love interest apparently is just as necessary for a good television drama as it is for a good movie.
That at least is the opinion of Rahe, who is doing his best to find actresses, without objections to "perfectly hideous" makeup, to play in his television show.
"If they don't put on makeup and plenty of the very blackest kind," he said, "they're going to look like animated pumpkins on the screen. And if they do put on plenty of makeup they are going to look like aged walruses in the studio."
TWO WAVELENGTHS CARRY PICTURES AND VOICE IN TELEVISION TESTS
CHICAGO, Oct. 16. (AP)–Development of television to the point where it is hoped home reproducers may be available here in December is indicated in experiments now under way. U. S. Sanabria, young experimenter who has spent several years in an effort to improve transmission of light, and Prof. L. P. Garner believe they have made progress which warrants a brighter outlook as to the time when television will begin to approach practicability.
Working in the laboratories of the Western Television corporation, which operates in conjunction with WIBO, broadcast station, and W9XAO, short wave plant, they have used two wavelengths, the broadcast channel of 526 meters for voice and 146 meters for pictures, as the easiest way to synchronize sound and sight.
Their progress has led Clem Wade, president of the corporation, to express the belief that the reproducing apparatus they have designed for the home will be ready before the end of the year. He said it could be attached to any broadcast receiver, which is used to pick up the voice on a loud-speaker. It also brings in pictures on the short wave of 146 meters and reproduces them on a screen in the front of the cabinet.
The size of the picture received, the engineers said, ranged from an inch and a half square up to about eight by 12 inches. They have copied pictures up to 21 inches square, but so far these have not been practicable.
The screen is mounted on an adjustable extension arm, so that it can be moved back and forth in front of the lens to change the size of the received image. The reproducer has the usual scanning disk, with a spiral of holes; a motor to drive the disk, a neon glow lamp and a lens.
Observers have reported that the pictures transmitted approach the clarity of good newspaper pictures, with little if any distortion. The experimenters have transmitted from the studio ranging from closeups to full-length, including ballet dancers, quartets, an eight-piece orchestra and amateur boxers.
The engineers said the width of their television band, generally considered 100 kilocycles for good detail, occupies less than half that space because of a specially designed scanner.
The television "microphone" for the pickup in the studio consists of a battery of photoelectric cells, a light source and a motor driven scanning disk. The corporation has been conducting experiments for more than a year.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1929
TELEVISION DEMANDS PRESSED PANTS
BY DEANE S. KINTNER
(Radio Editor)
THAT television is still in the experimental stage is admitted by most persons familiar with it.
Included is William S. Hedges, president of the National Association of Broadcasters and manager of WMAQ by virtue of being radio editor of the Chicago Daily News.
Admittedly to further experiments he is asking the Federal Radio Commission for a wave length on which to make visual broadcasts.
But there's this notable difference between his proposal and others of like nature:
Hedges says he has a new television system termed the “microvisor,” which is capable of producing full length rather than bust pictures of persons posing before it.
Still of the bust type were images seen by visitors to the television exhibit at the Radio World's Fair in New York City, although there had been some enlargement of the visual screen. Identical will be the demonstration next week at the Chicago Radio Show.
So WMAQ'S microvisor, to be operated in a special studio forming a part of new headquarters in the newspaper building, promises to be of unusual interest.
Authorization to use 5,000 watt power for visual broadcasting, the same as that used for audible programs, is asked. Chicago already has three television stations, the commission's records show. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1929
The story of radio’s rise from the time the first wireless signals flashed across the Atlantic until today when it is regarded as one of the master instruments of the ages will be dramatized before the eyes of visitors in the special $100,000 radio pageant of progress section of the Chicago radio show which opens in the Colesium tomorrow [21]. ...The RCA-Alexanderson system of television, though still in the laboratory stage, will be exhibited for the first time outside of New York City. A continuous demonstration of this new picture-radio will be under the direction of Austin Rahe of New York. Stars of the stage, screen, radio and distinguished persons in business and professional life will appear before the televisor, and arrangements have been made so that spectators can see them in person and on the television screen at the same time. (Chicago Tribune, Oct. 20)
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1929
TELEVISION NEAR PERFECT, BELIEF
By PAUL H. KING
CHICAGO, Oct. 22. (U.P.)—Television gradually is nearing perfection, demonstrations at the annual Chicago radio show revealed today.
Radio experts believe that within three or five years it will be practicable for commercial use.
One of the latest television sets attracted as much attention as the hundreds of other radio sets.
As a demonstration, the picture and voice of persons picked at random from the audience transmitted from the machine to the receiving set, several yards away.
At times the voice was distinct and picture plainly visible, furnishing a good conception of what is to come. Then static obscured the picture and caused the voice to fade away.
Elimination of the static and perfecting of other mechanical parts of the television set, now are being worked on at all the larger manufacturing plants.
Practically all the leading radio manufacturing companies in the United States were represented with elaborate displays.
DE FORREST RADIO
The no part capital stock of the De Forrest [sic] Radio Company has been increased 345,680 shares through the exchange of common shares for those of Jenkins Television, on the basis of one De Forrest share for one and three-quarters of Jenkins. The total authorized De Forrest stock is now 1,330,680 shares. (Lancaster New Era)
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1929
RENEW LICENSES FOR TELEVISION
The general experimental and experimental television licenses of Radio Pictures, Inc., of New York, was recently renewed by the Federal Radio Commission [station WRNY]. (Quad City Times)
Television Still In Infancy, WLD Finds
By WLD
(State Journal Radio Editor)
CHICAGO—Television is still in its infancy—the infancy in which the movies were 20 years ago, the infancy in which radio itself was eight years ago. It’s in the laboratory stage, and it will be three, four, or even five years before it will reach the present capabilities of the radio and the audiofilm.
A demonstration of a television receiver at the Chicago Radio Show in the Colesium and talks with radio engineers at the show and at various meetings held during the exposition has convinced your correspondent of this fact.
But the very fact that television is here in any form is worthy of note, whether it be in the experimental era or a perfected invention.
Images Fairly ClearTwo or three hundred people were jammed into a booth at the show for the demonstration. Before us were two screens about 14 inches square. Flickering yellow light played on them several minutes, and suddenly the face of a man appeared. As his lips opened, his voice issued from an amplifier over the screen. He spoke briefly, then brought before the audience the face and voice of a singer.
The images were fairly clear, but lacking in the sharp detail of the photograph or motion picture; but the flicker of the whirling disc was disconcerting at the times. (Wisconsin State Journal)
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1929
WGBS is planning to broadcast talking and musical programs in synchronization with pictures sent out by a local television station. It is also completing arrangements for a new radio broadcasting chain, of which it will be the key station. (Ben Gross, New York Daily News
MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1929
Working Demonstration of Television to Be Feature of District Radio Show
ONE of the most interesting exhibitions to be found at the Washington Radio Show which opens Monday [28] at the Mayflower will be a working demonstration of television.
C. Francis Jenkins, Capital inventor, who already holds 60 basic patents on this latest wonder, will be at the television booth from 2 until 3, and from 8 until 9 o’clock Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
During these hours a television program will be broadcast from Jenkins’ high powered radio station five miles north of Washington by way of Georgia-av extended. Station W3XK, as it is known, will send waves out into the ether, that, when translated by the small cabinet receiver in Jenkins’ booth, will show themselves as moving' pictures.
Not Quite Like Movies
The moving pictures which the watchers will see in the big glass eye of the television receiver set, will be quite different than the movies we see at local theaters.
Just as newspaper pictures which were first made in one tone or silhouet [sic], had to go thru process of development which enables pictures now to shore lack and white, light lights and shadows, so must television develop.
The demonstration at the radio exhibit will show “movies” of silhouets. Jenkins has had perfect transmission and reception of the regular movie film in laboratory experiments, but such demonstration is not yet quite ready for public exhibition.
Just One Part of Science
However, transmitting pictures by means of movie film is but a minor part of television. The real television patent is based on a machine which Jenkins has invented which looks a scene, person, or thing, just as does the naked eye, then thru an intricate and detailed process changes what is seen into vibrations which may be picked out of the ether and changed back into visible pictures by the proper receiving apparatus.
When television was first demonstrated before a group of distinguished statesmen and scientists at Jenkins’ laboratory in June, 1924, Curtis Wilbur, former Secretary of the Navy, said: “I suppose we will be sitting at our desks during the next war and watching the battle in progress.”
He was told by the inventor that it would be possible. Since then some marvelous strides have been made in the development of this wonder. (Washington Daily News, Oct. 24)
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1929
WANT VISION LIFTED
Washington, D.C., Oct. 29 (AP).—The Jenkins Television company of Jersey City, N. J., applied to the federal radio commission today for permission to change the broadcasting frequencies of its experimental station [W2XCR]. Tests have indicated that better television results would be obtained on a higher band of frequencies, the application stated.
