THE HISTORY OF TELEVISION PART I

Television has been the cornerstone of our entertainment for decades now. With each passing year, we watch Television evolve and grow into better programming for the audience. There are numerous genres, key creative people developing content, and uniquely talented actors portraying our favorite characters. 

As we look at the broad spectrum of the television medium, we see so much history of evolution it is hard to map correctly. There are two parts of the Television’s historical perspective, the Golden Age of Television, which essentially plots its progression to a range of years between (the 1970s-1990s), and the Modern Age, or as David Bianculli established it; as “The Platinum Age of Television.” Though it is unknown the precise start of the Platinum Age, some argue it could have started in 1970, 1981, or 1999. Using Bianculli’s model as a starting point, I developed five distinct Ages of Television to share its history. The five Ages are: 

1.      The Bronze Age of Television (1926–1945)

2.      The Silver Age of Television (1946–1953)

3.      The Golden Age of Television (1954–1969)

4.      The Diamond Age of Television (1970–1999)

5.      The Platinum Age of Television (1999–Present)

THE BRONZE AGE OF TELEVISION

1926-1945 – Nineteen Years

For most of us, the general population got accustomed to Television was in the late 1940s, just after World War II. Still, the starting point was 95 years ago, on January 26, 1926, when John Baird demonstrated the first live broadcast in England.

In America, Television took some time to develop, but the radio was the accepted mode of entertainment, so there was no rush. However, across the pond, firsts were happening all the time in television evolution. The first televised weather map was shown on August 18, 1926. The first demonstration of the T.V. for a large audience happened on May 23, 1927. However, starting in September, Philo Farnsworth starts creating the experimental electronic television image in San Francisco, allowing for American innovation of this medium to begin. Followed quickly on September 18, the first television network formed by Columbia Broadcasting System (C.B.S.), already a key player in the radio business. 

Baird continued to add new innovations to his television design, the recording process, and transmitting the connection across the Atlantic  Ocean by the end of 1927. In America, the first television station in New York City is established on April 1, 1928. By May 10, America had its first television program of farm and weather reports, with the first newscaster being the forgotten Kolin Hager. As the 1920s come to an end, more innovations continue to happen with outside recordings and motion silhouette testing, and on July 3, 1928, color television is developed, utilizing red, blue, and green.

America was the first nation to have a live remote television news event on August 22, 1928. The subject: Al Smith, notable for establishing the Al Smith dinner that the Republicans and Democratic nominees attend during a national campaign, accepted the democratic ticket.

In 1929, Milton Berle, the soon to be an early pioneer in television variety as “Mr. Television,” makes his debut on experiment closed circuit T.V. in Chicago. Baird installs a television at 10 Downing Street for the Prime Minister’s residence, where his family watched the first-ever television drama on July 14, 1930, called The Man with the Flower in His Mouth. The first commercial is aired on November 5 for hair design. New York takes the honor of having the first televised wedding on May 1, 1931. Interestingly enough, Canada entered the T.V. game in 1931, with its first broadcasting happening in Montreal. By 1932, The B.B.C. starts a regular public television broadcasting service in the U.K.

Based out of the U.K., the Seldon Committee investigates the feasibility of public television service on May 16, 1934. In America, the Federal Communications Commission is charged with enforcing television stations to operate in the public interest on July 11, 1934. High-definition service on the B.B.C. begins broadcasting on November 2, 1936. In terms of content, the 1936 Summer Olympics aired on Television, the first Games.  England continues to reign supreme, as it airs the first play for Television called The Underground Murder Mystery on January 19, 1937, and the first science fiction show, called R.U.R., on February 11, 1938. There is enough experimental Television at this point to award the first T.V. critic credit to Gilbert Seldes, who publishes his review on May 1, 1937.

As we close out the 1930s, more firsts are noted, the B.B.C. uses it outside broadcast for the first time on May 12, 1937, to televise the coronation of George VI. The first Shakespeare play follows, as does the first sporting event, Wimbledon Championships. 1938 broadcasts a host of sporting events for the first time, boat races on April 1, soccer matches on April 19, cricket games on June 24, and ice hockey on October 26.

Some of the experimental shows in this period included Exhibition Boxing Bouts (1931-1932) and Boxing from Jamaica Area (1940-1942), which showcased boxing matches, and The Television Ghost (1931-1933), where a ghost would discuss the murder that happened to him and the C.B.S. Television Quiz (1941-1942). One interesting T.V. program debuted in this Age, N.F.L. on N.B.C. (1939-1998; 2006-), the first network to cover that sport in its own program.

As C.B.S. announces its plans to develop television content in early 1938, the B.B.C. pushed out the first quiz show, Spelling Bee, on May 14. Baird, who produced the first television demonstration 12 years earlier, showcased the first color public demonstration in London on November 12, 1938.

As World War II looms and war production takes precedence, England has sold over 18,000 television sets. As R.C.A. start selling sets in America for a minimum of $200 on April 1, 1939. By August 26, 1939, the first Major League Baseball game is televised. September 1, 1939, marks the end of television broadcasts for the B.B.C.

The war efforts stop all television innovation during the 1940s in England and America, as we focus on other things, like having public hearings concerning Television starting on January 1, 1940. Sports continues on American Television, with hockey and basketball having their first televised game. Interestingly on Canada Day, three days before America’s Independence Day, the F.C.C. authorized commercial Television on July 1, 1940, C.B.S. and National Broadcasting Company (N.B.C.) begin commercial operations. December 7, 1941, pre-emptions occur for the nation to become aware of the Pearl Harbour attack in Hawaii. By April 1, 1942, America halts television manufacturers for consumer use. As World War II continues, ending its ban on October 1, 1945,

On December 23, 1943, the third important television network was formed, American Broadcasting Company (A.B.C.), broadcasting content for the first time in the following Age of Television. The fourth network, DuMont begins broadcasting regularly on September 15, 1945. DuMont petition and received approval to resume broadcasting during the war years.

This Bronze Age in Television is crucial as it defines our historical first steps into the television culture and how much technology was at our fingertips. Two important takeaways. 

1. Television production would have continued to develop, bringing new innovations to the public sooner, had World War II did not stop manufacturing and broadcasting T.V. 

2. Although most of the programs produced in this early period are forgotten by most people, it did bring our first news and sporting events, two genres that will eventually get 24 hours stations dedicated to them in CNN and ESPN.