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March 1944
13
KDKA EXHIBIT TAKES LISTENERS BACK TO OLD RADIO DAYS
PITTSBURGH, PA. — Thousands of listeners were given an opportunity to review the history of radio from its modest inception back in the early experimental days down through the years to its present niche as one of the country’s major industries at a KDKA-Westinghouse Radio Stations, Inc., radio exhibit at Gimbel's Department Store here in January.
Contributing prominently to the radio historical theme was the movie, “On the Air.” This educational feature, a 30minute sound film produced by Paramount for W. R. S., Inc., authentically traces radio history from its very beginning down to the present day. Not without its humorous angles, it also reveals little-known facts and experiences behind the early days of broadcasting.
The elaborate exhibit abounded with obsolete and current radio installations and equipment marking the milestones in the progress of broadcasting down through the years. The display included those antiquated crystal sets with earphones of broadcasting's pioneer days and their successors— considered great strides in those days— the one-tube sets, and the two and three-tube sets with loud speakers.
Another outstanding feature was a replica of the original KDKA transmitter, the first transmitter ever used for entertainment purposes as a public service. It lent quite a contrast to adjacent pictures of KDKA's modern transmitter, thus depicting the progress and development of radio equipment.
Also attracting attention of the visitors at the exhibit was a picturesque scale model of the WBOS transmitter at Hull. Massachusetts — Westinghouse’s powerful short wave station.
Crowds at the exhibit showed interest in this painting of the garage in which Frank Conrad conducted research ivhich led to birth of broadcasting in 1920.
W. B. McGill, general advertising manager of W estinghouse Radio Stations, created this allegorical sketch of the first radio broadcast.
The powerful WBOS short-wave transmitter at Hull, Massachusetts, was represented at the display by this picturesque scale model.
The replica of the first KDKA transmitter attracted the attention of oldtimers as ivell as proving a curiosity item to younger radio enthusiasts.
Catwhisker detectors, horn-type loudspeakers and other items of broadcasting's “ infancy ” brought back nostalgic memories to some visitors.