Timeline journal

By Sayhenderson

  • 1920 – KDKA: First Commercial Radio Broadcast

    1920 – KDKA: First Commercial Radio Broadcast
    KDKA in Pittsburgh aired the first commercial radio broadcast, announcing the Harding-Cox presidential election results. This milestone marked the beginning of mass electronic media in American homes.

  • 1939 – RCA Introduces Television at the New York World’s Fair

    1939 – RCA Introduces Television at the New York World’s Fair
    RCA unveiled television to the public at the 1939 New York World’s Fair. President Franklin D. Roosevelt became the first president to appear on TV, signaling the medium’s potential.

  • 1941 – First Legal TV Commercial Airs

    1941 – First Legal TV Commercial Airs
    NBC’s WNBT-TV aired the first legal television commercial a 10-second Bulova watch ad
    during a baseball game, marking the start of commercial television advertising.

  • 1948–1952 – FCC Freezes New TV Licenses

    The FCC imposed a freeze on new television station licenses to address signal interference and standardize broadcasting. This pause allowed for the development of a more organized television industry.

  • 1951 – “I Love Lucy” Premieres

    “I Love Lucy” debuted on CBS, revolutionizing television with its multi-camera setup, live audience, and syndication model. Lucille Ball’s performance set a new standard for sitcoms.

  • 1954 – Edward R. Murrow’s “See It Now” Challenges McCarthy

    1954 – Edward R. Murrow’s “See It Now” Challenges McCarthy
    Edward R. Murrow’s “See It Now” aired a critical report on Senator Joseph McCarthy, showcasing television’s power in political discourse and journalism.

  • 1956 – “Playhouse 90” and the Golden Age of Television

    “Playhouse 90” premiered, epitomizing the Golden Age of Television with its live, high-quality dramatic productions, influencing future television storytelling.