Radio doings (Dec 1930-Jun1932)

Eehmd The MlKE Intimate Glimpse of the Studios and Artists by Dr. Lee DeForest, grand old pioneer of radio broadcasting. SOMEBODY said that the late Thomas A. Edison didn't make the first talking machine, that he just made the first one you could shut off. There seems to be some dispute as to who made the first public radio broadcast. On the night of November second Los Angeles radio stations celebrated the anniversary of the first public radio program which was supposedly broadcast over KDKA, Pittsburgh, under the auspices of Dr. Lee De Forest, who is now a resident of Hollywood, and spends most of his time experimenting on television. Los Angeles is very modest, as most eastern friends know, so it was celebrated without dispute. However, the truth is that Dr. Do Forest presented many successful broadcasts from the California Theatre in San Francisco six months prior to the broadcast from KDKA on November 2nd, 1920. He had previously tried to broadcast from New York City but the Mayor declared his experiments were a public nuisance, so he pulled up stakes and came West. And as further proof that California was the scene of the first radio broadcast we submit the fact that successful attempts to broadcast the voice and music were made from Point Loma to Los Angeles in 1912. The Rhythmettes seemed to be happy at KNX but within one month we find them at KMTR. They will find plenty of competition at the latter station, as far as harmony is concerned. THE Hallelujah Quartet, a colored organization that has been featured in many programs sent by KHJ to the East, is now sending out the splendid harmony for which it is noted from a theatre in San Francisco. Raymond Paige, program director for the Don Lee station, expects them back in Los Angeles one of these days. ALTHOUGH the NBC and Columbia chains have taken quite a few of our most popular radio artists to their eastern strongholds, California is not suffering much as many eastern and mid-west stars are finding their way out west. Any station might feel justly proud in adding Oscar Heather, tenor soloist, to its staff. KGFJ is to be congratulated on the acquisition of Mr. Heather. He is a pioneer in the broadcasting field, making his first appearance before the microphone at KYW, Chicago, in 1924. He was a staff artist at WENR for three vears, and has been featured at WHT. WQJ and KMOX. As a soloist with the Minneapolis and Chicago Symphony Orchestras h e gained quite a reputation before taking up radio. BY the way. Hollywood holds a number of records as far as radio broadcasting is concerned. Bill Sharpies, chief of the breakfast club gang at KNX, claims the oldest daily broadcast in the United States, in point of actual hours. He was born in Pittsburgh and has broadcast over KDKA. Years ago he was a reporter for the Publishers Press Association and reported the Shamrock and America yacht races off Sandy Hook. The De Forest System was used and Dr. Lee De Forest was present on the press tug with Bill Sharpies. AND while on the subject of records we would like to hand a bouquet to KGFJ of Los Angeles. Up to the time of going to press this station had been on the air for 26,948 hours, a world's record, if you please. Broadcasting 24 hours a day without pulling the switch for four years is something to crow about. Vera Van. the beautiful blonde singer of KMTR — and featured soloist and dancer at the Olson Cafe, is now a staff artist with KHJ. \Turn to Next Page] Vera Van. who brings a new note in interior decoration to the studios of KHJ. RADIO DOINGS Page Twenty-three