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66 WNBC was the Flagship station of the NBC Radio RED Network. (An
important reason why this site is red)
Some highlights of the history of the NBC Radio Network.
| April 14, 1912 |
The Titanic sends a Morse code emergency signal out that is received at Wannamakers
Department Store in New York City. David Sarnoff communicates with ship while President
Taft orders all other stations off the air. |
| November 15, 1926 |
The first broadcast on the NBC Radio Network takes place from the ballroom of the
Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York. First NBC president Merlin Ailesworth says
"Beginning tonight you will receive a new thrill in radio..." 26 Stations are on
the network. |
| May 20, 1927 |
Lowell Thomas announces Lindbergh has landed in Paris. Graham McNamee follows weeks
later with first coast-to-coast music broadcast as part of President Coolidge's ceremony
awarding Col. Lindbergh the Distinguished Flying Cross. |
| 1927 |
McNamee broadcast first coast to coast Rose Bowl. |
| 1928 |
Many stars grace NBC including "Amos & Andy," Ed Wynn, Eddie Cantor,
Rudy Vallee & Jack Benny. Singers like Jessoca Dragonette are broadcast live from the
"Cathedral Studio" at 711 5th Ave in New York. |
| 1929 |
The Goldbergs Premieres (First Daytime Drama) |
| Late 1920's |
The NBC Chimes are introduced. The original three tone electrical chimes cost $48.50.
Prior to the chimes, at station breaks, the announcers would list all the affiliate call
letters, up to 35 at one time! Included in the list WEAF (NY), WLW (Cincinnati), WAVE
(Louisville), WMC (Memphis), WTIC (Hartford), WCSH (Portland, Me.), WJR (Detroit?),
WLIT(?). |
| 1936 |
"General" David Sarnoff celebrates 10th anniversary of NBC Radio Network
with a broadcast speech. "In ten years, radio broadcasting has grown from an exotic
novelty to a daily necessity..." Stars at the time include Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Don
McNeil with the NBC Breakfast Club from Chicago, and for the kids "The Lone
Ranger." |
| May 6, 1937 |
The Hindenberg explodes in New Jersey. A crew from NBC in Chicago was there testing a
portable recording device, which would capture Herbert Morrison's voice describing the
carnage, "Oh The Humanity."
This from e-mail: "In actuality, WLS Engineer Charles Niehlsen and WLS reporter
Herbert Morrison brought their own disc machine (quite heavy for a portable) and it was on
assignment from WLS/Chicago (Owned and operated by The Prairie Farmer), an affiliate of
the NBC "Blue" Network. NBC Networks at that time had a policy against airing
"recorded" news events and, in essence, the Hindenburg disaster
became the first recorded actuality aired on NBC.
Jeff Davis
WLS/Chicago Historian" |
| 1939 |
NBC carried news related to events in Europe, including a speech by Hitler, and a
September 3, 1939 speech by British Prime Minister Chamberlin declaring war on Germany. |
| World's Fair 1939 |
NBC debuts Television. |
| September 14, 1940 |
NBC carries broadcast of first peace-time draft. President Roosevelt draws the first
lottery number (158) live. |
| December 7, 1941 |
The Sammy Kay Show is interrupted for the announcement of the attack on Pearl Harbor. |
| D-Day |
George Hicks reports from a gunboat during the Normandy invasion. He described the
ship he is on gunning down a Nazi plane. |
There will be more added as I get the time to do more
research.
Here's some sites related to NBC in general, not just NBC Radio
Thank You Visitor #: 
Page Last Updated on: Thursday, November 02, 2000
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