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First Commercial Radio Broadcast
KDKA, a radio station based in Pittsburgh, PA becomes the first scheduled commercial programmer for a radio station. It was November 2nd, 1920, and history was made. This landmark event marked the dawn of a new era in communication. With a transmission announcing the U.S. presidential election results, KDKA set the tone for the age of radio broadcasting, revolutionizing how people receive news and entertainment. -
Baird Televisor
The Baird Televisor, developed by inventor John L. Baird, stands as a milestone in the history of television technology. Introduced in 1926, it was one of the earliest television systems. Utilizing a rotating disk with perforations to scan images, the Televisor produced low resolution pictures. The Televisor was unveiled at a London department store, transmitting the image of a ventriloquist's dummy. -
World's Fair Introduces Television
At the 1939 World's Fair, the public experienced a major moment in the history of mass media and technology. On April 30th, 1939, the television was displayed to the public, capturing imaginations with its potential to transmit moving images and sound over distances. Although it was basic, and a bit primitive, the demonstration fueled excitement and marked a new era. This event laid the groundwork for the incoming rapid growth of television in the United States. -
Invention of the Transistor
The future of radio and television is forever changed when John Bardeen, Walter Brattain, and William Shockley of Bell Laboratories invent the transistor. This tiny device revolutionized electronics by replacing bulky vacuum tubes. Transistors drastically improved the performance and reliability of radios and televisions. -
RCA's New Color System Adopted
In 1953, color television was becoming realistic for commercial use. It was then that RCA beat out CBS when the National Television System Committee adopted RCA's new system for commercial color TV broadcasting. This opened the door for the public to begin viewing color television nationwide shortly after. -
The Height of the Golden Age
During the Golden Age of Television, television became the centerpiece of American culture, offering a range of programming from sitcoms to dramas. Shows like "The Twilight Zone" were popular for families to enjoy together. Television, by this time, faced limited competition from other forms of media. With this in mind, TV networks enjoyed unprecedented viewership and advertising revenues.