When Did Television Start? A Deep Dive into TV’s History
Television’s journey from a laboratory experiment to a global phenomenon is a fascinating story of innovation and cultural impact. This article explores the key milestones in the evolution of television, from its earliest beginnings to its modern-day dominance.
The initial concept of transmitting images electronically dates back to the late 19th century. However, the first true demonstration of a working television system occurred on September 7, 1927, thanks to the ingenuity of Philo Farnsworth. This groundbreaking event, featuring the transmission of a simple straight line, made headlines in major newspapers on January 13, 1928. While impressive for its time, this rudimentary system was far from commercially viable. Consequently, by the end of the 1920s, only a handful of televisions existed, primarily confined to research laboratories.
The Dawn of Electronic Television
A significant leap forward came in 1936 when RCA showcased an all-electronic television system boasting 343 lines of resolution and a frame rate of 30 frames per second. This breakthrough marked the arrival of a functional television system capable of broadcasting to a wider audience. That same year, the Berlin Summer Olympic Games became the first major event to be televised, utilizing RCA equipment operated by Telefunken. Further solidifying television’s progress, the BBC launched the “world’s first public, regular, high-definition Television station” on November 2nd, placing England at the forefront of early television broadcasting.
Driven by broadcasts of significant events like the coronation of King George VI and the Wimbledon Championships, television sales in England surged, with over 9,000 sets sold by the end of the 1930s. Meanwhile, in the US, 18 experimental television stations were in operation, laying the groundwork for the future of American broadcasting. The 1939 World’s Fair witnessed another pivotal moment: David Sarnoff, president of RCA, unveiled the first commercial publicly accessible television broadcast. This event marked the true beginning of television as a medium for mass consumption.
The Rise of Commercial Television
The year 1941 ushered in the era of commercial television broadcasting in the US, with the FCC granting authorization on July 1st. NBC aired the first-ever television commercial, a 10-second advertisement for a watch, earning a modest $7.00. The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7th became the first major news event to be broken by television, highlighting the medium’s potential for immediate information dissemination.
Post-War Television Boom
Following World War II, television experienced explosive growth in the US. The war effort, though temporarily halting television production, inadvertently fueled technological advancements in related fields like radar, which ultimately benefited television design. The RCA 630-TS model became a symbol of this post-war boom, selling over 43,000 units.
Expanding Reach and Innovation
By 1948, two million television sets were in American homes, concentrated primarily in eastern cities due to limited signal reach. Innovative solutions emerged, such as John Walson’s cable system in Pennsylvania, extending television signals to areas beyond major metropolitan areas. In 1954, RCA introduced color television, although widespread adoption took several years. The continued advancements in broadcasting technology, the expansion of cable television, and the introduction of color broadcasts solidified television’s place as a central fixture in American life and beyond. The growth continued through the 70s and 80s with cable television and pay-per-view services like HBO. Digital broadcasting and high-definition television (HDTV) further revolutionized the industry. By the late 1990s, nearly one billion television sets were in use globally, a testament to the transformative journey of this powerful medium. From its humble beginnings in a research lab to its current status as a ubiquitous global presence, television’s impact on society is undeniable.
