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NAEB NEWS LETTER Paqs 5 February 1945 On Friday afternoon, January 26, I took leave of the IRF Convention and SPENT A MOST ENJOYABLE AFTERNOON AS THE GUEST OF WORRIE NoV I K AND HIS STAFF AT WNYC. From the time I VAR GREETED BY THE CHARMING AND EFFICIENT Wiss Davies till the time I took leave of the boys at the City Center, 1 VAS constantly amazed AT THE SCOPE OF THE WNYC OPERATIONSo ThE STATION didn’t grow to its present PROPORTIONS OVER NIGHT HOWEVER. WNYC, ”New York City’s Own Station”, entered the radio field, then hardly OUT of the experimental stage, in 1924. WNYC WAS SOMETHING NEV'—A MUN¬ ICIPALLY operated NON-COMMERCI AL radio STATION DESIGNED TO SERVE THE CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF A CITY OF MANY MILLIONS. ThE CALL LETTERS CONY (C|TY Of J^EW YoRk) WERE ABANDONED IN FAVOR OF WNYC BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE CONFUSION WITH THE AMUSEMENT PARK GqnEY 1 SLAND. A FEW HOURS BEFORE THE OPEN ING CEREMONIES TOOK PLACE, THE POROUS PANELING OF THE STUDIO WALLS AND CEILINGS WERE DECORATED WITH A COAT OF PAINT. This made the formerly sound-proof studio a giant drumhead with all sorts OF vibrations. Too late to do anything but rip out the offending panels, Chief Engineer Raymond Assersow suddenly saved the day by hastily hanging some old potato burlaps around the studio. This however, made it un¬ bearable CLOSE and stuffy—air CONDITIONING NOT HAVING BEEN PERFECTED AT that time. Outdoor ceremonies that opening night in 1924 were interrupted by a sudden torrential downpour that drenched gowns, high hats, and official cut-aways. The Fireman’s Bi^NO was rained out for the first time in its history. WJZ, four years old itself, sent a bouquet of roses to baby WNYC ON ITS opening night. Mayor Hylan, attempting to predict the future, expressed his skepticism REGARDING RADIO BY SAYING THAT ”...RADIO WOULD RETRENCH RATHER THAN expand.” Well, they said the automobile was only a passing fancy too. The original WNYC reception room was decorated in Spanish Patio Style, WITH AN ELECTRICALLY LIGHTED FOUNTAIN SURROUNDED BY POTTED BAYONET PLANTS. These soon had to be .emoveo because they were being used as ash receivers. Canaries in brilliant yellow cages "chopped” or “rolled” according to species to lend some vocal "color” to the studios. The infant station took a real step forward some years later with the innovation of “The Masterwork Hour"—a pioneer step—broadcasting a regularly scheduled daily full-hour recorded concert of outstanding symphonic music. On January 1, 1938, 'ANVC came of age vhen it started functioning as a separate city department under the direct supervision of Mayor P. H LaGuaroia. Shortly afterward, M, S, Nqvik was appointed the station’s first director. Under the paternal wing of a culturally alert and music¬ conscious executive like P. H, LaGuardia, he began to expand the VHNYC programs and services to the millions of inhabitants of New York City and surrounding communities. Increased time devoted to fine music— “live” concerts direct from the many concert halls and outdoor SU 1 iER music centers—was an integral part of this growth. Recognition of