The First Televised Events: A Look Back at TV History
The television’s journey, from a lab experiment to a global phenomenon, is marked by numerous “firsts.” This article delves into the history of television, highlighting some of the most significant “First Televised” events that shaped the medium and its impact on society.
The world’s first televised image was a simple straight line, broadcast by Philo Farnsworth on September 7, 1927. This groundbreaking moment, though not visually impressive, marked the birth of television technology. The January 13, 1928 press demonstration even made headlines in major newspapers. However, a straight line wasn’t commercially viable. By the late 1920s, only a handful of televisions existed, primarily in research labs.
The Dawn of Electronic Television
A major leap forward occurred in 1936 when RCA demonstrated a fully electronic television system with 343 lines and 30 frames per second. This breakthrough paved the way for the first major televised broadcast: the 1936 Berlin Summer Olympic Games, by Telefunken using RCA equipment. In November of the same year, the BBC launched the “world’s first public, regular, high-definition Television station,” further solidifying television’s potential.
The BBC spearheaded early television adoption in the late 1930s, broadcasting events like the coronation of King George VI and Wimbledon. These broadcasts led to a surge in television sales, with 9,000 sets sold in England. Meanwhile, in the US, 18 experimental television stations were in operation.
The First Commercial Television Broadcasts
The 1939 World’s Fair witnessed a pivotal moment: the first publicly accessible commercial television broadcast, unveiled by RCA president David Sarnoff. During the fair’s opening ceremonies, President Franklin D. Roosevelt became the first president to be televised. The following day, television sets went on sale to the public, and RCA/NBC commenced regular daily broadcasts.
A significant milestone in American television history came on July 1, 1941, when the FCC authorized commercial broadcasting. NBC aired the first commercial, a 10-second watch advertisement. On December 7, 1941, the attack on Pearl Harbor became the first major news event covered by television.
World War II significantly impacted television development. While production was halted, research in communications, particularly radar, led to improvements in television technology. Post-war, television sales exploded in the US. The first televised World Series game occurred in 1947, followed by President Harry Truman’s first televised address from the White House. “Howdy Doody,” the first children’s television show, debuted in December 1947.
Coast-to-Coast and the Rise of Color
1951 marked another “first” with the first coast-to-coast telecast, featuring President Truman addressing 13 million television sets. While television ownership remained concentrated in cities with broadcast stations, innovations like John Walson’s cable system in Pennsylvania expanded access to areas beyond major metropolitan centers.
In 1954, RCA introduced the first color television set, though initial sales were slow. However, this marked the beginning of the transition to color television, with NBC leading the way by broadcasting most of its primetime shows in color. The television industry continued to experience remarkable growth through the 1970s and 80s, with the rise of cable television and pay-per-view services like HBO. The journey continues to this day with digital broadcasting and high-definition television (HDTV). CBS’s flagship New York station, WCBS-TV, made history again with the first HDTV broadcast in December 1996.
From a simple line to a global medium, the history of “first televised” events reflects television’s enduring power to inform, entertain, and connect people across the world.
