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

Maioi" IvilIio— TV AchicNcincnrs in 19)1 Ten ()ut.st.iiKling achievements in radio and television during lyil were listed by Dr. C. B. Jolliffc, Vice Presi- dent and Technical Director of RCA. in a year-end summary issued at Radio City, New York. Dr. |olliffe"s selections follow: 1. Field testing the RCA compatible, all-electronic color television system under regular broadcasting con- ditions, showing the public and industry its potentialities for service. Tests included outdoor and studio pickups, transmissions by radio relay and co,ixial cable from New \'<)rk to Washington, D. C, reception on experimental home type receivers, featuring the RCA tri-color picture tube, and showings on a 9- by 12-foot screen in a Broad- way theatre. On October \f>. 17 and 18, 1951, a test program of the RCA compatible color system was transmitted across the Nation. It was received in San Francisco and Los .Angeles and relayed back to New York, where it was also received. In all, these color signals travelled nearly 8,000 miles. 2. Adoption by the National Television System Committee of field-test standards for a compatible color TV system, which were incorporated in the RCA-NBC equipment, and field tests started. Other companies also began testing these standards. 5. Emergence of the practicality of the UHF ( ultra high frequency) fwrtion of the broadcast spectrum for television's expansion into 70 new channels that can provide for more than 2,000 UHF stations and bring TV coverage within range of nearly every American community. Major contributions toward this goal re- sulted from operation by RCA-NBC of America's first UHF experimental station on regular schedule, at Bridge- pon. Conn., which has become the testing ground for the receiving-set industry. 4. Inauguration of coast-to-coast television service employing microwave radio relays. 5. Start of pilot production of the transistor, a tiny device which will eventually replace certain types of elearon tubes and play an important role in communi- cations of the future. 6. Development of new .md improved electronic equipment for the Armed Forces. An important example is "miniaturization," or the diminishing of the size of electronic instruments through development of smaller components: also, the development of special electron tubes to meet the exacting demands of military appli- cations. 7. Super-electronic computer — known as "Project Typhotm" — designed .md built by R( A scientists in cooperation with the U. S. Navy. The unit has been used in 1,000 test runs of proposed guided tnissiles at an enor- mous saving to the government in expended materials. 8. Theatre television, which, as a new industry and service, spreads across the country for independent opera- tion and in networks linked by radio relays or coaxial cable. 9. Multiple tr,msmitting antenna, developed by RCA, which made possible simultaneous broadcasts by five TV stations and three FM stations from the tower atop the Empire State Building in New York. 10. Extension of the usefulness of industrial TV, one of the most significant being the television-micro- scope, which extends the range and versatility of the light microscope. TV Opera Acclaimed (Continued from Page 9) Allen, who played the title role, were given high praise, and Allen has since received offers of movie contracts. The production given by NBC to "Amahl and the Night Visitors" was impressive in all respects. Eugene Berman, one of the most distinguished artists in the theater, was engaged to design the settings and costumes. No expense was spared and the results were acclaimed by the critics. The 21-year-old conductor, Thomas Schippers, too, was singled out for his sensitive inter- pretation of the Menotti score. At the opening of the Opera, Menotti appeared briefly to introduce his new work. His own personal charm and wit captivated the television audience even before the opera itself was unfolded. The great success of the opera was immediately fol- lowed by a recording session of the work by RCA Victor. The records probably will be relea.scd sometime this Spring. An avalanche of requests from listeners and from the press for a repeat performance were seriously con- sidered by NBC. It was impossible to repeat the opera immediately because several of the singers and the con- ductor had commitments abroad. However, NBC is considering the possibility of producing the opera again in April as an Easter ofTering. Undoubtedly, "Amahl and the Night Visitors" is the most outstanding success in opera on television to date. RADIO AGE 3J ■ UtfV,! ! . ! .!