Radio age research, manufacturing, communications, broadcasting, television (1941)

right: television programs PRODLCED UV NBC's pioneer new YORK STATION, VVNBT, ARE PUT ON THE AIR FROM THIS MODERNISTIC ANTENNA ATOP THE EMPIRK STATE BUILDING. BELOW: WNBT'S TRANSMITTING CONTROL ROOM. whether they use standard band or FM receivers. Tele%'ision is a field which has held the close attention of the com- pany's management and engineers ever since the formation of NBC. This company is the pioneer in tel- evision broadcasting in the United States, and has a long record of "firsts," both in engineering achievements and in the creation of television programs. Develop Program Technique NBC engineers have helped to perfect present-day television cam- eras, studios and studio lighting, and transmission systems. Prac- tically the entire technique of put- ting a television program on the air is an NBC product—from au- thor's manuscript to actor's make- up. The following dates stand out in historical importance: October 30, 1931—'NBC com- menced television broadcasting from transmitter atop Empire State Building, New York, with 120-line pictures, in experimental tests of RCA semi-electronic system, em- ploying mechanical-scanning cam- era and electronic receivers. Com- mencing in 1933, NBC broadcast programs with 240-line pictures, in first field test from Empire State tower transmitter of RCA all-elec- tronic system. June 29, 1936 —Having recon- structed the Empire State tower transmitter on the basis of earlier tests, NBC began broadcasting pro- grams in second field test of RCA all-electronic system, with 343-line pictures. April 20. 1939 — NBC's station WNBT inaugurated America's first regular television program service to the public, televisifig the cere- monies operbing the New York World's Fair, with 441-line pictures broadcast throughout metropolitan area from Empire State tower. Jul]) 1, 1941 —Ten years after NBC television first went on the air, NBC inaugurated commercial television, broadcasting the pro- grams of four advertising sponsors, with .525-line pictures. NBC had previously received the first com- mercial television license granted by the FCC, and had issued the first television rate card ever pub- lished. With the exception of a brief period required in 1941 to adapt the transmitter and other equip- ment to new FCC standards, NBC's pioneer television station WNBT has been on the air continuously for five years, with regular weekly programs of sight-and-sound broad- casting. Within the past two years, NBC has established America's first television network, over which it furnishes a regular progi'am serv- ice. It is for the present a modest three-station hook-up of NBC's sta- tion WNBT with WPTZ, the Philco station in Philadelphia, and WRGB, the General Electric station in Schenectady. All members of the NBC organ- ization share with the rest of the RCA family a tremendous and en- thusiastic confidence in television as a great postwar industry and service. With the cooperation of the Government and of other mem- bers of the radio manufacturing and broadcasting industries we hope the full possibilities of televi- sion will be brought to realization early in the coming years of peace. Guide to Future What I have said here about the past eighteen years of NBC history is a bare outline, w-ith numerous omissions, of a fascinating period of pioneering achievement. NBC started with only an ideal for guidance. Today, it has both the ideal and an eighteen-year tra- dition of faithful service to back it up. We could not ask for more trustworthy guides into a future that is full of significance and promise. Buy War Bonds [RADIO AGE 7]