Radio doings (Dec 1930-Jun1932)

THE past year witnessed the most stupendous parade of important and interesting events to be broadcast in the history of radio. A brief resume of famous broadcasts during 1931 leaves one in awe at the wonder of it all. Briefly, here are a few highlights from last year's schedule: Premier Mussolini addressed Americans for the first time, from Rome. First world-wide broadcast from Vatican City, in which Pope Pius XI delivered his first radio address to the world, translated by Marconi, inventor of wirelsee. Prince of Wales spoke at the opening of the British Exposition in Buenos Aires. British Grand National Steeplechase broadcast from Aintree, England. First broadcast from the stage of the Metropolitan Opera House in New York. Broadcast of a beating human heart from Philadelphia. Discussions by Ramsay MacDonald. President Hoover's gala Sunday programs for unemployment relief. OxfordHarvard debate by radio. Roll call of countries celebrating thirtieth anniversary of Marconi's first wireless message across the Atlantic. Description of Knute Rockne funeral. First broadcast by Helen Keller. Address by King George V. Mahatma Ghandi's speech from London. World Series. Student's chorus from Heidelberg, Germany. A triflle different from the old home-talent — weather report — and — phonograph days, isn't it? And there's more to come. Every day radio officials in both national chains are working tooth and nail to improve their programs, and capture even more interesting and world-important events in 1932. If we live to be as old as Methuselah, we'll never fail to get a thrill out of the wonders of radio, and those promised by television to come. Pick faults with broadcasting, condemn it as we will, the fact remains that when all is said and done, radio is one of the greatest things on earth. establishment of two television stations, engaged in active broadcasting in California, brings it another step farther in the West. Though there have been a half-dozen or more licenses rumored on the Pacific Coast, this is the first sign of actual activity in preparation for television broadcasting for entertainment purposes. Don Lee, Inc., owner of the Don Lee System of radio stations, is now broadcasting television for an hour each evening. The broadcasts are purely experimental, and no attempt has been made to interest the public in them in their present state. The images are received by wire, several feet away from the transmitter, for convenience. Signals for experimenting are in the form of parallel lines across the televisor. In Bakersfield, California, a station has been built, and at the time of this writing, is going on the air in a few days. The experimenters are keeping their results secret, but it is fairly safe to predict that it won't be very many months before there will be enough entertainment value in television programs to make the purchase of a television outfit appealing. If we got a thrill over hearing our first squawk through the headphone, what will be the reaction when we can twist a dial and get an image in our home televisor? And don't forget, the li*l old radio will still have its job in picking up the sound that goes along with the picture. Television Advancing in the West MURMURS of television for the public are growing louder. Buffetted by gossip, rumor and propaganda, television has long been, and still is, in a questionable state. Recently, however, the Club for Radio Artists About a year ago. a group of radio artists, talking picture entertainers, announcers, continuity writers, and others of the ilk most commonly found hanging about radio studios, decided that they needed a social organization just as much as any other profession has. It was this crying need that gave birth to the "Microphone Club of Amrceai." Its principle aim is to provide social and convivial association among radio people, although on occasion, efforts are made to improve working conditions and business methods. RADIO DOINGS Page Seven