What Year Was Television Invented in America?
The invention of television wasn’t a single event, but rather a series of innovations spanning decades. While the first successful electronic television transmission happened in 1927 thanks to Philo Farnsworth, the question of “What Year Was Television Invented In America” has a more nuanced answer. The first public demonstration of a fully functional all-electronic television system occurred in 1936, thanks to RCA. This system, boasting 343 lines and 30 frames per second, signaled the arrival of a viable television technology.
That same year, the Berlin Summer Olympics became the first major broadcast using this new medium. Telefunken, utilizing RCA equipment, televised the games, showcasing the potential of television to a global audience. Shortly after, the BBC launched the “world’s first public, regular, high-definition Television station” in November, marking a significant step in the evolution of broadcasting.
The 1939 World’s Fair was a pivotal moment for television in America. RCA president David Sarnoff unveiled the first commercial publicly accessible television broadcast, declaring “Now we add sight to sound.” President Franklin D. Roosevelt, attending the opening ceremonies, became the first president to be televised.
The following day, television sets went on sale to the general public, and RCA/NBC commenced regular daily broadcasts. This marked the true beginning of television in America, answering the question of “what year was television invented in America” with a commercially viable answer. While still in its infancy, television was available to the American public, setting the stage for its future dominance.
The FCC authorized commercial broadcasting on July 1st, 1941, leading to the first-ever television commercial: a 10-second advertisement for a watch, earning NBC a modest $7.00. The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7th became the first major news story broken by television, highlighting its potential as a powerful news medium.
World War II significantly impacted television development. While production was halted, research in communications, particularly radar, led to improvements in television design. Following the war, television sales surged in the US. RCA’s 630-TS model sold over 43,000 units, solidifying television’s place in American life.
The late 1940s saw rapid growth in television production and viewership. By mid-1948, 350,000 television sets were in American homes, concentrated primarily in eastern network cities. This geographic limitation stemmed from the dependence on broadcast signals, which were limited in range and availability.
The introduction of color television in 1954 by RCA marked another milestone, though its initial adoption was slow. Despite only selling 5,000 units in its first year, this innovation paved the way for the future dominance of color television. NBC’s subsequent announcement that nearly all its primetime shows would be broadcast in color further accelerated the transition. From its humble beginnings in research labs to becoming a centerpiece of American homes, the history of television is a testament to innovation and its transformative impact on society. The journey from a simple line on a screen to the vibrant, high-definition experience we enjoy today underscores the remarkable evolution of this technology.
